Review of the Arbutus Automatic
"Apexon" Multi-Function, Power Reserve Watch #AR0089WB
By: John B.
Holbrook, II
June 7, 2006
(re-printed with author's permission)
Arbutus is a new name to me
in the value mechanical watch segment, but according to
information on their company website, the founder and his
brother established the company in the early 1980’s in New
York. Since then, the company expanded to create an
international fashion profile, and have added jewelry and
eyewear to their offerings.
The good folks at Island
Watch recently provided me with two examples from the Arbutus
watch lines – the “Apexon”, and the “Eureka.”
The Apexon is an interesting
piece – it is, at first glance a sports watch, but further
examination reveals some interesting mechanical complications
not normally found in a sports watch. The 316L grade stainless
steel watch case is 42mm in diameter, and as such has strong
wrist presence, and is water resistant to 50m. The watch comes
with a very attractive and well padded black leather strap that
features white stitching which plays nicely off the white dial
of the watch. Attached to the strap is a nice two-button
deployment clasp.
The dial is quite appealing
on the Apexon – one of the purest white dials I’ve ever seen,
which provides excellent contrast with the black Arabic
numerals, and black subdials. In the upper left corner,
providing a splash of color is a power reserve indicator. Also
present is a push button advance date indicator (located between
two and three o’clock) and a second hand subdial located at six
o’clock. The hands are well coated with a luminous compound
which provides excellent low light visibility.
Turning the back of the
watch, one can view the movement of the Apexon via the
observation back. It’s a self-winding mechanical movement, with
some decoration applied to the bridgework, and the rotor has
been painted blue, and is emblazoned with the “Arbutus New York”
logo.
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