At the time of release of this review, Schaffen had already smashed through their Kickstarter campaign. They’re offering two mechanical models: the smart A65 (this one), or the sportier S65.
Their main selling point is the amount of configuration available – through various components: there’s 3 dial colours, 2 hand colours, date / no date options; plus the ability to personalise the dial with an autograph / motif / text and also a 3D printed customisable rotor.
With pledges starting at S$585 / ~£315, and an RRP of around £500, let’s see how the watch stacks up.
The specs
- Dimensions: 40mm diameter x 10.2mm height x 46.5mm lug to lug
- Weight: 66g
- Water resistance rating: 5ATM / 50m
- Movement: Sellita SW200-1
- Accuracy: +2.5 sec/day
- Lug width: 20mm
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: Kickstarter pledges starting at S$585 / ~£315; RRP ~£500
- Available from: https://www.schaffenwatches.com/pages/a65dresswatch
- Kickstarter Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/503309188/schaffen-custom-timepieces-with-rotors-designed-by
The case
The case is a straight up barrel shape, and I find the 40mm diameter is very good for a dress watch. It’s a little larger than one would necessarily expect (I’d usually expect ~38mm for this style), so it creates a real impression on the wrist.
With brushed sides working alongside polished bezel, top and bottom of the lugs and caseback it has a array of finishing which breaks up the case well. It’s very nicely machined and finished, plus the rounded side profile of the lugs is pleasing to the eye.
The push-pull crown has the Schaffen “A” logo embossed. It’s a nice decent size, which is very easy to use and grip.
The caseback has a large exhibition window showing off the Sellita SW200-1, and is secured in place with 6 screws. It has minimal detailing around the window, which are embossed into a ring.
The dial
The dial is minimal, yet elegant. The key feature to me is the vertically brushed central disc which provides texture and breaks up the dial.
The alpha hands are pitched and a beautiful deep blue. They provide excellent legibility: popping out superbly against the steel dial.
There is minimal printwork, but what is there is crisp and clean. even the custom printed WIAA in the bottom half (I wanted to see how it would turn out). There’s also a railway minute track around the outer edge which frames the dial subtly.
There are applied pitched baton hour markers, which are highly polished and catch the light well. We’re treated to a double baton at 12.
The date window is cut out of the dial base with an inset into the central disc. Personally think it would have looked a lot better and would have provided a higher class to the dial is it had a steel border, but this way is neat enough.
The strap
The strap supplied is a rustic brown leather with matching stitching. It’s lovely quality: soft and supple and extremely comfortable on the wrist.
The buckle is brushed – however I think polished might have gone a little better with the case – but a brushed finish is much more sensible from a practical perspective as it’s more resilient to scratches. The Schaffen “A” logo is laser etched on top; personally I would have preferred this to be engraved.
The movement
The movement powering the Schaffen A65 is the Sellita SW200-1, an excellent Swiss Made automatic which is on a par with the ETA 2824-2 (it’s actually a direct replica with some improvements.
It comes with all the usual specs: high beat rate of 28.8k bph (8 ticks a seconds), hacking seconds hand, hand and automatic winding, and approx 40 hours power reserve.
This is usually where you’d see a customised rotor, but unfortunately I don’t have that privilege, just the stock Sellita rotor. Nevermind!
Using my Lepsi Watch Scope, the accuracy of this movement is coming in at an incredibly impressive +2.5 sec/day: that’s well within COSC specs. This shows an extra level of detail; as this movement is sure to have been regulated to be this accurate.
Final comments
When you take all things into account, the Schaffen A65 offers a lot of customisation for the money. Not only are the standard dial options a good selection, but having the ability to print a custom bit of text, or even a logo, is very impressive. On top of that is the amazing option for a completely custom designed and build rotor – which is very impressive. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to see one, so only time will tell regarding the quality of them; but if the close attention to detail is like the rest of the timepiece then I’m sure it’s going to be great.
It’s a splendid looking watch as well: simple yet elegant, clean and crisp. Everything is well refined and neatly crafted. They are sure to bring a lot of good things to many customers moving forward.
