They have since sent me a couple of extra models for comparison: so here we have the Premier, Classic and Sports. The primary difference between each model is the strap, however, what’s most impressive is how the different colourway is utilised throughout the timepiece.

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Watch the below video for an in-depth comparison

The Carrnegie Premier

Let’s start with the Premier; their most expensive offering starting at $239. This comes fitted with a crocodile stamped leather strap, and the quality is very good and comfortable. This model is the rose gold version; which has the same colour throughout the case and also on the clasp. It’s not available with the standard tang buckle – you can only get the butterfly clasp with the Premier.

The Carrnegie Classic

Next, we have the Classic – and this iteration is the gold with the blue theme. This is where we really see the Carrnegie range come into its own. The gold plating is used for the main case section, and also the butterfly clasp.

However, the blue “theme” is not what you’d expect. Usually, when a brand offers a few different colourways, all that is changed is the dial. Not here. Not Carrnegie.

I’m very impressed to see the blue not only used on the dial, but also on the bezel, crown, and caseback. This must result in a lot of extra effort and cost, but boy does it make a difference, especially when you consider there’s 3 different bases (steel, gold and rose gold) and 3 different themes (white, black and blue).

Thinking about the base, it also changes the hands and applied indices on the dial – so they also change to steel, gold or rose gold depending on the case. Again, a lovely display of a great way of offering different colour schemes for a model.

The Classic has a smooth leather strap and starts at $179 (for the tang buckle, add $20 for the butterfly clasp). That $40 is quite noticeable in the quality of leather. Personally, I’m not usually too fussed by alligator print, but if I was to choose, I’d definitely go for the Premier based on the better quality strap. It’s also good to note that there are 3 coloured straps that match the theme; blue, black, and brown (which is for the white dial).

The Carrnegie Sports

The model I have here is the Sports Black Rose Gold. There’s something about black and rose gold that just goes so well together – immediately it’s a winning combination.

As is their custom, the black theme runs through from the dial to the bezel, crown and caseback.

The Sports is identified by the rubber strap – which is available in black (which is used on the black and white), and blue. It costs the same as the Classic – starting at $179 (for the tang buckle, add $20 for the butterfly clasp). The quality of the rubber strap is lovely – it’s not stiff or hard, which some can be – but rather, it’s supple and malleable. It’s very comfortable on the wrist, with some interesting “0” grips on the underside to keep it from spinning. There’s also a central raised channel on the top which keeps things interesting and draws the eye.

Final comments

Carrnegie has done a remarkable job in creating an excellent range of watches that are truly different. It’s not just a change of dial colour for them, it’s a change of hands and indices on the dial, and a different bezel, crown and caseback. In reality, this is a way of “theming” that works very well indeed – they create a very different look (just compare the Premier and the Sports for instance) – and it’s one that I’d love to see more of.

All things considered, they are great value for money and the amount of work that must go into each iteration is impressive. Yes, naming an entire model based solely on the type of strap is a slightly bizarre way of working, but there’s no doubt that these are an impressive collection that provides a wide range of styles.

The post Carrnegie Watches Range Overview appeared first on 12&60.

Video Review

The specs

• Dimensions: 41mm diameter x 11.5mm height (including crystal, 10mm case) x 49.5mm lug to lug
• Weight: 82g
• Water resistance rating: 5ATM / 50m
• Movement: SII (Seiko) VH63
• Lug width: 21mm
• Warranty: 3 years
• RRP: $219 / £175 – WIAACW for 15% off making it $186 / £147 (15% off normally, unless there’s currently a sale – in which case it’s an extra 5% off on top of the sale price)
• Available from:
  • Premier: https://carrnegiewatches.com/collections/premier/products/premier-rose-gold-white
  • Classic (with difference strap and buckle): https://carrnegiewatches.com/products/classic-rose-gold-white

The case

The case is quite fascinating, I’ve been rather curious about it whilst I’ve had the watch in for review. At certain angles, it catches the light really well thanks to the multi-stepped sides and variety of finishes.

The bezel is polished, with brushed sides. The top and bottom shoulders have a polished line and I like how the tops of the pigs have a vertical brush, drawing the eye to the dial. It also has a brushed caseback, with a polished ring around the edge.

The single-domed sapphire crystal has a measure of distortion at tight angles, the anti-reflective coating is fairly standard, nothing special.

What I’ve found to be the most intriguing part about the Carrnegie is the lugs. Rather than a lug either side, it’s an entire container that the end of the strap fits into. The 21mm width is a bit annoying (normal sizes are 20mm or 22mm wide, but really it’s not the end of the world. The lug block is also drilled-through with holes on the sides so it’s easy to change straps (thankfully, as that would have been a nightmare).

The push-pull crown has the double R logo embossed on the end, which is a very petite onion shape with a delightful design to it. For something so small the grip is like a mini work of art.

The caseback has the Carrnegie logo in the centre, with details surrounding it towards the edge. All markings are accurately and deeply engraved.

The dial

The dial is simple, elegant. The movement layout does some of the work – providing the subdials at 3 (date), 6 (24 hour) and 9 (day).

The backdrop is a classy off-white champagne colour, with a very gentle texture.

The subdials boast a genteel concentric circular pattern as the backing, as well as a very light channel around the outer edge.

The hour and seconds hands are dauphine style, which are pitched and fully polished rose gold, subsequently catching the light well.

I love it when I see impressive hour markers, and they sure are splendid on the Carrnegie: thick, accurately manufactured rose gold batons with a polished finish and tapered bottom. There’s a double baton at 12 to set it apart.

The printwork on the dial is fine and minimal and is the result of good design. The logo is printed at 12 and looks perfectly in place, and apart from the markings on the subdials, the only other printing is the minute track around the outer edge, framing the dial.

The strap

The quality of the leather is as I’d expect: nothing to be blown away by, but perfectly suitable for the price.

Alligator print is never my personal preference, but at least it’s slightly more subtle than is usually the case. The finish of the leather is also a pleasant matte, which I much prefer to a glossy patent finish; which usually looks too much. The finish compliments the rose gold case really well.

This strap has been fitted with the optional butterfly clasp, which is £25 extra, and is quite chunky when compares to other similar clasps. It has a brushed top which is the sensible choice (I see so may polished clasps which scratch immediately), with the logo deeply engraved.

The movement

The movement powering the Carrnegie is the SII (Seiko) VH63. It has 2 jewels and a 3-year battery life and the main characteristics are the subdials: day at 9, date at 3, and 24-hour indicator at 6. It’s a Seiko quartz, so it’s likely to perform solidly for a decent amount of time. It’s also a “mecha-quartz”, where the centre “big” second hand moves in 1/4 second increments, resembling a mechanical movement.

Final comments

$186 / £147 (using code WIAACW) is a really great price for this watch. It’s been a “grower” – whilst I wasn’t initially blown away by it, I’ve gradually grown in appreciation for the small nuances of design and level of craftsmanship that’s truly surprising on a watch costing this much. True, the design is not likely to excite everybody, but I can’t find a single fault with how it’s built, and it’s great to see something done a little different in terms of the case and lugs. In a market which is saturated with watches that all look similar with little individuality, Carrnegie have really pushed the boat out.

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