On the Record
Sometimes it seems if you want a watch with simplicity, you practically have to rob a bank to afford it. Think certain Dufours. Examples include Grand Seikos and Credors. That’s why it’s fun to discover a watch like the affordable Alessi Record, made by Seiko. I wrote about its backstory here, but after actually nabbing one yesterday, I have to go on the record today and give eye witness testimony. Let’s examine the evidence from the beginning.
The box the watch comes in is built like Fort Knox. It’s made of thick, heavy-duty blue cardboard, with a blue plastic slip cover that has the Alessi brand name embossed. Although Italian designer Achille Castiglioni masterminded the wrist watch, it’s made for Alessi by Seiko Instruments of Austin, Texas.
Along with an instruction manual and warranty booklet, inside the box is an aluminum canister that protects the watch like a safe. Alessi specializes in Italian designed home furnishings made of metal, like lamps and kitchenware. OK, let’s crack the case. Something valuable must be stored inside.
The watch is well guarded in fortress of plastic foam. Ah, there’s that dial — created by Swiss graphic designer Max Huber, it’s as clear to read as a clock in Stadelhofen Railway Station. The second hand aligns perfectly with the indices. Good as gold in a Zurich bank.
From the side you can see the lugs attached underneath. A caseback shot follows below. One interesting note, you access the dial through the top by popping off the basel. That groove in the side of the case is where it separates to allow you inside. To change the battery, the caseback also pops off. Its priced about the same as a basic Swatch, but is higher quality. When I got it I handed it to my wife, and she gasped when she felt how heavy the stainless steel watch was.
It came with two straps, both made of nylon. Alessi also makes a leather strap for this model. I’ll get one of those, but for now the weave ones work fine. They are sturdy and comfortable to wear. But a black leather strap will class it up.
It’s amazing how the 36mm Alessi and Nomos wear so big. It’s because the actual dial is larger than many in watches with case sizes up to 42mm in size. I wore the Alessi at lunch today, and when I stole a glance down at my wrist the readability of the timepiece made me shudder. I guess that’s one reason people like Pateks too.
The tiny, recessed crown is difficult to grip when adjusting the time, but that’s just a misdemeanor. Since this is a quartz watch, I won’t need to reset it more than once a month. And the hidden crown, on this design, looks good. The design is so good that the impresario allowed his name to be used on the caseback. This is a watch that, for me, lives up to the hype. It’s a good buy. I was lucky because I scored mine for free. No, not by a ten finger discount, but as a gift from a friend. That makes this jewel even more valuable.
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September 8th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Bryan,
I was lucky enough to snag one after reading your first posting. I totally agree, this is an awesome watch in all aspects. Thanks for bringing it to our collective attention.
Rick(geartrain)
September 9th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Hi Rick,
It’s not the norm to have a watch at this affordable price point with so much design and quality in it. For instance, companies like Timex and Casio make cheap quartz dress watches with simple designs — but they really lack in quality. The Alessi Record is a much nicer watch than those.
I’d rank the Alessi Record in the same category as watches like Skagen or Swatch Irony, but with a bit more quality. After all, it’s made by Seiko, and as we know, Seiko has an outstanding quality to value ratio.
One thing about the design; I wonder if Achille Castiglioni’s design of the lugs on the Alessi Record was inspired by the first Seiko watch, the original Laurel. What do you think?
Regards,
Bryan
September 9th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Great looking watch!
I must keep an eye out for one of these..
Jack
September 9th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Hi Jack,
They go for under $50 on eBay, that’s the place to look for one.
Thanks for stopping by! Always great to hear from you.
Regards,
Bryan
September 10th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Hey Bryan…once again, thank you for an outstanding article.
I am always impressed by your knowledge…for example that
the Alessi watch is made in Austin, Texas!
After you had introduced the watch on your first article, I
was so excited by it, I went out to buy one on eBay. The price
was real low, somewhere around 30 to 40 dollars, total. It came,
just like in
your article, with the box and wrist bands.
Several things might interest you.
1) I bought a Zulu black band, and this band works real well
for the Alessi watch. The Zulu band has a stainless steel
buckle and 3 extra hoops made of stainless with the same
texture as the alessi watch. Its easy to get the 20 mm Zulu, and the
22 mm, but hard to get the 18 mm. I think the 30 mm Alessi
needs the 18 mm band. The 35 mm needs a 20, and the 40 needs
a 22 mm band.
2) There is a 40 mmm Alessi watch, in case you are interested
in a slightly larger watch.
I bought this watch too, and it may be too big for me.
3) There is a 30 mm ladies version in case you want to give
one to a lady.
Too bad they do not have a 38 mm Alessi…this would be just
about right for me.
Actually, because I like the watch so much, and the price was
so low, I ended up buying 6 of them, 2 large ones, 3 medium, and
one small.
Once again, thanks for point out the Alessi watch. A real classic,
superbly designed, a light, somewhat dressy watch.
Paul
September 12th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Hi Paul,
Wow, you got six Records? That’s awesome. I’d like to get a few for family/friends too.
Thanks for sharing your interesting information about various case sizes. I’m finding the 36mm one just right for me. After wearing it for about a day, I actually thought it might be the 40mm one so I measured it — it’s the 36mm. They really wear big.
Regards,
Bryan
December 10th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Hello to all,
I know this string is more than a year old but I hope someone out there can provide info re: Alessi Record Watch.
I own the same record watch as pictured but lost the users manual. Can someone please give me instructions how to replace the battery? The watch design offers no clues and I’ve searched the net and found nothing.
Many, many thanks!
Antonio
December 11th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Hi Antonio,
I’m pretty sure that the back just pops off at the raised portion. Look at it closely, and there might be a seam there with an indentation to insert a snapback caseback tool. If you feel confident, you could probably do it yourself by inserting a knife into the seam and prying it open. However, if you don’t have experience doing this, you are opening yourself up to trouble. You could cut yourself, or mar the caseback.
Once in, it’s possible that the battery is held in place by a retainer bar held in place by a probably very small screw. If so, look at it carefully to make sure you know how you are going to unscrew it without losing the screw and also think about making sure you can reseat it. That said, the battery could just be a pop in type which is much easier.
I don’t want to scare you off, but I do want you to be aware of what could go wrong when you attempt to do it yourself.
Good luck!
petew
December 11th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Grateful, PeteW!
I’ll give it a shot.
Antonio