So just a couple of pics :



This is the 39mm version on my skinny wrist (6 links out of the Kingfisher!) and its on the last hole on the leather strap. I think it looks fine but the 42mm version, or indeed the proposed 44mm CW Pilot would be too much for me.

And here it is alongside the T3 Kingfisher:



Better pics are available on the Archimede web site, but hopefully these give an impression of the size in real life.

Quick thoughts:

Packaging - basic box with Archimede in silver stamped on it - OK for me as I throw the boxes anyway!!
Dial - great, but the date is hardly visble, better to leave it off IMHO
Crown is lovely, not screw down but he upside is that it can be handwound without any fuss helpful if its not worn every day.
Overall quality excellent, on a par with CWL and my Grovana to be honest once this level is achieved its hard to mprove IMHO
Clear back, balance weight not engraved, but workmanlike in keeping with the watch
Service from Archimede - very good emails answered personally and quickly by Thomas Ickler himself, website ordering not very slick, but it works. Packet of haribos included!!

Overall a good buy I think at £225.

Special message for Hans: Yes` I know its an IWC clone, but thats why I bought it and as I have said I would rather have a genuine Archimede, than a fake IWC. And its fun searching out all these small watchmakers that produce good products at a fraction of the brand prices!!!

All said in good fun of course, any opinions welcome!!!

Daz wrote:Your right it does appear to be very good value, good spec. and a nice uncluttered design making it easy to read. Enjoy.

What he said

Sounds like you've got the same issues with skinny wrists as me....I had to take 6 links out of my T3, and it still slides over the bony bit of my wrist no problem

I think 40 is probably the biggest I can wear really as the T3 looks huge, so I wouldn't want an Aviator in 44 as that'd be mahoosive on me and look a bit ridiculous!!

Comgrats!!! Great looking watch.

Great watch and a good price. Nothing wrong with them being like IWC; pride of my collection is a 42mm Spitfire, but I'm always looking for good value pilots and divers. Can't keep buying IWC or end up destitute! Part of the fun for me is in getting a superb watch at a great price. I've taken a look at Archimede and I'm very tempted by a couple of them including the new chrono. Looks like you have the start of a good collection there...

Thanks for posting the picture, esp alongside the T3. I just ordered this same watch and was curious as to how is measured up (no pun intended).

My wrists are a big larger (only 4 links out of my T3) and I might email Mr. Ickler and see if he'll let me swap for the larger size watch. I have some time to think about it.

-Jim

For those interested the Pilot M measures 45.3mm across the lugs, whilst the Kingfisher (T3) is a whoping 50.3mm. The KF lugs are well curved to match the wrist........not sure just how long the larger one is!!!

My 39m Archimede arrived today. Well worth the price. The fit/finish are remarkable, especially given the price point. At 39mm, it's a perfect fit for my wrist. One thing I have to keep reminding myself, is that most German manufacturers use articulated lugs (I think that's the term), that tend to come straight out of the case, with little to no wrist contour. So what seems small to me number-wise, the 39mm actually fits about the same as the C6 T3 I have, which is 42mm.

For a basic, no-frills pilot watch, this suits me perfectly.
-Jim

For a basic, no-frills pilot watch, this suits me perfectly.

And Jim, I think the originals were just that, no frills, well engineered to be robust and tell the time in arduous conditions. For this reason I think the Archimedes may actually be a better replica than some more elaborately finished pilots watches........

One thing I really like is the crown. Because its not screw down, its very easy to give it a few hand turns to keep it running, helpful as I dont wear it every day. Screw down crowns are more of a faf, and continuall unscrewing, manual winding, screwing down again gradually destroys the waterprofing - in fact his was the reason Rolex invented the automatic wind for their divers....

(interestingly I was initially diasappointed about the lack of screw down crown - now I appreciate it!!!)

Enjoy the watch.......

Edit I have just checked and after 12 days, on and off the wrist, bit of hand winding it is running approx 20 seconds slow = less than 2 seconds a day! I think as I said before Mr Ickler has spent some time regulating.

Jim, be very interested in how accurately yours performs, can you see if the regulator has been moved away from the central position.....?