About two years ago, I reviewed a prototype Vesuviate Attivo. I liked the dapper, square-case, three-hand tool watch and predicted that it would be the brand’s break-out model. I was right. By the time I published my follow-up piece with a production Attivo later that year, Vesuviate had completed a successful Kickstarter campaign and was well on the way to designing their next watch, the Volare GMT. Still, the Attivo beckoned, begging for another variant, which brings us to today’s review of the new Vesuviate Attivo-Chrono.
As you might have already guessed, the primary change is movement. Where the original Attivo had a Miyota 9015, the new one is packing a SeaGull ST-1940 chronograph. Like the more common ST-19, this movement is based on the old Venus 175 column-wheel unit but with the notable addition of a rotor. It has 33 jewels, a 21.8k bph vibration rate, a 40-hour reserve, and it is likely the most affordable automatic chronograph out there. It is certainly one of the prettiest. I dig the gold, the blue, and that custom rotor. Note to other microbrands: if you are going to offer an exhibition case back, please put something like this under it.
The Attivo-Chrono’s stainless steel case is similar to that of the three-hand. It measures 39mm wide and just over 42mm long. This is slightly larger than a TAG Heuer Monaco, so it is squarely in the realm of the sports watch. It is also about 14mm thick. That is a 3mm increase from the original Attivo and one one necessitated by the fatter movement. Still, that bulk has plenty of surface area over which to spread, so it was not really apparent. I had no hesitation wearing the Attivo-Chrono on my 6.75″ wrist and found that it even slipped under a buttoned shirt cuff without fuss. This is a good thing because it’s a pretty watch. The polished and brushed surfaces are well executed and serve to it dress up nicely.
Vesuviate is, first and foremost, a tool watch company, and they equip their watches accordingly. The Attivo line features sapphire crystals (domed over the dial and coated with five anti-reflective layers), screw-down crowns, 100m water resistance, and cases and bracelets that are heat treated to 1,100Hv hardness.
I heaped high praise on the Attivo’s bracelet, and I will do the same for the Attivo that it is identical. It’s 24mm at its widest point, tapering to 22mm at the low-profile and nearly invisible butterfly clasp. You will notice that the links are short, and the polished center links are separately articulated, providing excellent flow and precise fit. I love it. I never took it off of my burgundy Attivo, and I’m pleased to report that the surface hardening worked like a charm, keeping it free of desk-diving swirls.
That said, I do have a gripe or two. First, while I appreciate the quick-release tabs in the center links, the angle at which the bracelet meets the case creates a valley just deep enough to keep them just out of reach of my fingers, so I still need to use a spring bar tool to move them. Second, the case has only a 16mm lug gap. If you want a strap, you are looking at one from Vesuviate ($58) or a custom commission. As I said above, I stuck with the excellent bracelet.
Square faces offer loads of room on the dial, which is always a plus for a chronograph. Like its sibling, the Attivo-Chrono’s dial is open and uncluttered, even with the addition of two square subdials (small seconds and 30 minutes). Its markers are polished, applied, and lume-filled. Buyers have a choice of Black, Maroon, Pale Yellow, Pale Blue, Salmon, or the White dial shown here. I had my pick of the litter for this review and went White. It’s lovely enough in the daylight, with those black primary hands and red second hand providing easy visibility, but that is not why I wanted it.
I wanted full lume. Full Lume, baby! That blue and green two-tone looks amazing. My kids lit up when I walked from bright sunlight into a dim garage, and they caught a glimpse of its glow. Living with me, they are pretty jaded when it comes to watches, but this one impressed them. It’s cool. It also is one of the few chronographs I own where that function can be used in the dark. Not that I have all that much occasion to time things in the dark, but I could if I wanted to.
Vesuviate launched the Attivo-Chrono on Kickstarter on August 1 and will run the campaign for only two weeks. If you jump on it now, you can grab one for the special launch price of $395, including FedEx delivery. Once the first 100 are claimed, the price goes up to $425, and finally, $475 on vesuviate.com after August 16. If you miss all of those, you can still get a break by using code Vesuviateoffer for 7% off ($442), but this will only work for the full price after the campaign, not the current (and already discounted) Kickstarter pledges.
I liked the original Attivo. I like the Attive-Chrono even more as it has all the features I liked in the first watch while also making good use of that ample dial real estate and giving you a glimpse of that fancy movement inside.
Head over to the Vesuviate Kickstarter or website and check it out.
