The Art Deco period is a fertile ground for watch brands to draw inspiration from. Be it architectural details or iconic form factors, much of what we consider “classic” can be traced back to that timeframe. In that respect, Second Hour pulled together some of the highlights of the Art Deco aesthetic to create the thoroughly modern Memoir.
I’ll start with my first impression of the watch when I opened the box: it’s unapologetically red. Some brands hide behind terms like oxblood and burgundy, but that’s not the case here. The variant of the Memoir I received for review is about one shade off of matching the fire engine down the block. Its slight hint of orange make a bright statement on my wrist. The color of the strap is a superb continuation of the dial. The attention to detail here must be commended: matching the color across two different components and materials is no small feat. If red isn’t your cup of tea, the Memoir also comes in blue, black, white (with blued dial furniture), and green. The blue, black, and green variants also advertise color-matched straps, and I am sure the color match is just as excellent.
The strap itself is supple and well-finished. Made from Italian leather, it molded to my wrist the first time I put it on. The lining is soft and does not trap heat. The strap tapers from 20mm quick-release lugs to 18mm at the ends, finished with a custom engraved buckle. If the red strap proves too loud for more staid occasions, I think that the dial would pair very well with glossy black or brown leather in your favorite pattern. I found myself using the second to last hole with a 6.5″ wrist, so perhaps Second Hour could consider offering the option of a short strap.
The dial itself is a collage of textures and finishes. The innermost section features a stamped grid texture and a radially finished small seconds sub-dial. The outer ring has a sunburst brush finish offset with polished dial furniture and a white-printed railroad minutes track. The linework on the dial does an excellent job of delineating the different zones to avoid one blending into the next. The hands are mirror-polished to match the dial markers. The modern font of the applied numerals combined with the vintage styling of the printing epitomizes the mix of modern and vintage that comprises the Memoir.
The most striking aspect of the case is that it is curved, harkening back to watches of the 1930s and 40s. It’s not just the midcase that’s curved but also the case back – ensuring a snug but comfortable fit on my 6.5” wrist. The 28mm wide x 39.5mm long case is designed for modern sensibilities and should work well for anyone wearing it. The case back is screwed rather than press-in, making the eventual battery change much easier. Screwdrivers are easy to find, but case back presses are less so. The laser engraved pattern is a lovely rendition of Art Deco motifs, and the entire package boasts 50m water resistance.
The top of the case has been polished to a mirror shine, and the sides are lightly brushed to a satin finish. The entire case has been additionally hardened, helping it stay unblemished in modern life. The low-profile sapphire crystal is curved to match the case. It features a layer of anti-reflective coating to ensure that your view of the dial stays clear.
Running the whole show is a Swiss Ronda 1069 quartz movement. I had no complaints about the watch’s timekeeping during the review period. Using a quartz movement keeps the price firmly in the affordable range. Using a small seconds dial with only 12 hashes means that the seconds hand on the Memoir hits every mark.
Most watch enthusiasts I’ve met look forward and backward when considering their next watch. Forward to innovations in durability and timekeeping; backward to inspiration for form and style. The Memoir ably spans both views and is a solid entry into the modern tank space. At $385USD/$580AUD, it packs a fiery red punch into a svelte package. Check it out here.
