If you are looking for a good priced, well mannered, and large sized pilot style watch, this just might be the piece for you. Archimede released their next Pilot automatic watch with the Pilot XL Automatik. The watch takes everything you like about the traditional simple Pilot watch look and ups the size from 39mm or 42mm to 45mm. The crown itself is 8mm thick. This is actually a good size making for a decidedly large watch that I would NOT describe as being silly big. “That giant watch looks ridiculous on your wrist!” …. is not a statement this watch will attract.
Thinking about it more broadly, considering it is German made, genuinely unique, and powered by a Sellita SW200, that price is fantastic in comparison to what is out on the market in general. The one issue with the Outdoor Protect is cosmetic… it does not say Protect anywhere on it, nor the instance hardness, nor even that it’s made of tempered steel. So, it’s basically identical to this old model… the only way to tell is to try and scratch it, which is a dreadful idea.The PVD version is well priced too ($806 as analyzed), but since it is more than the tempered version, it is less compelling. That said, few PVD watches are as subtle and wearable. If I were to pick one up, I would go for the black dial/PVD bracelet choice. I’m convinced that could have a certain Batman-esque allure to it. Thus, if you’re searching for a good everyday sport watch, I believe that the Archimede Outdoor is fairly difficult to beat.Our regular readers might have noticed a current tweet from @JuraWatches saying that the Jura Watches shop in Mayfair is now a licensed dealer for Archimede watches. So it is about time we had some background and news of the brand.Archimede could be fresh to Jura Watches, but the German firm that lies behind the brand, Ickler GmbH located in Pforzheim — the centre of the German watch industry, has over eighty years experience creating luxury watches.The flagship timepiece of the Archimede brand is your Archimede Pilot Chronograph, that comes at a 36, 39, 42 and a 45 millimeter diameter case. In 2008 the Pilot Chronograph won first place in Focus magazine Golden Unruh Awards at the under $1000 category, and third 3rd place in the exact same group for 2009.
The Archimede Pilot XL is housed in a steel case (made by Ickler) with a brushed finish, and the sapphire crystal has a double AR coating – so it is quite easy to view and won’t really have glare. The dial is simple with high contrasting numerals and blued hands coated with lots of lume. It is a classic looking and highly functional watch face. Inside the watch is an ETA 2824-2 movement which is visible through the mineral glass caseback window. There is also a manually wound version as well that is similar in most regards but has a subsidiary seconds dial.
The strap is a classic pilot strap in all ways. It is 22mm wide with the customary “buttons” that I’ve always liked (though I know some of you don’t). That of course with the contrast stitching that always goes nicely with the look of the high color contrast of black and white on the dial. The price of this new Archimede Pulot XL Automatik will retail at just under 400 euros ($650) – really a bargain if you ask me for the look, the quality, and the movement. You could get something worse and much more expensive at Macy’s any day. See Archimede Pilot watches here.