motegi
Tyme Machine
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2014
- Messages
- 2,209
Here's one of my past reviews I'm reposting to our new home for archival purposes
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NATURAL BLUES - by Moby (Lulu Rouge vs Stella Polaris Remix)
Click video for sountrack to this review
Android Virtuoso Ceramic Limited Edition ETA2824 Automatic
SPECS[/u]
INTRO[/u]
For some reason, ceramic as a watch case material never drew me in. Often it is seen in high gloss black or white fashion watches with rounded surfaces.
Ceramics are a class of materials that can achieve a hardness up to 3-4 times that of stainless steel making them extremely scratch resistant. In addition they tend to have a low density/weight and excellent heat resistance making high-tech engineering ceramics ideal for aerospace and military applications. Furthermore, the coloration is baked into the material meaning that it will not fade or wear off like coated or plated metals.
However, these strengths come with one weakness. Ceramic is not malleable. Ceramic has a tendency to shatter when exposed to impact whereas stainless steel will bend/deform.
Perhaps it was ceramic's light weight in comparison to stainless steel or its susceptibility to shattering with impact that made me shy away. I just never found one to add to my collection... until a recent trade offer came along for this Android Virtuoso.
CASE[/u]
The Virtuoso is one of Android's flagship designs and its multiple variations often incorporate the finest movement and material compositions available to the brand. This watch is no different with a 50mm brushed black ceramic case that gives the appearance of PVD steel yet provides the superior scratch resistance that ceramic is known for. It is rated for a water resistance of 100 meters and has a coin edged stainless steel push pull crown. The fixed bezel is accented by tiny stainless steel allen head screws. The crystal is sapphire and features a bullet shaped magnifier over the date window at the 3 o'clock position.
DIAL[/u]
The large radiant blue dial on this watch features a series of gently curved grooves radiating from the center. There is an applied outer ring featuring elongated pentagonal polished silver hour markers and a roman numeral XII at the 12 position. The main hour and minute hands are also done in the same plashed silver and the sweeping center second hand features the Android logo at its base.
MOVEMENT[/u]
Powering this Virtuoso is a gold plated ETA 2824-2 25 jewel swiss automatic movement with a power reserve of 38 hours fully wound. The movement itself is visible through the screwed down case back with exhibition window. This Virtuoso was produced as a limited edition of 500 with this one being number 13 which is engraved into the case back. The movement rotor has "ANDROID" printed across it but the remainder is otherwise undecorated. This movement incorporates an Etachoc balance wheel shock absorption system as opposed to the higher grade Incabloc.
BRACELET[/u]
The 24mm wide ceramic bracelet also receives the same brushed finish like the case and terminates in a pushbutton dual deployant clasp. Android includes both full and half links to maximize adjustability. This version of the Virtuoso does not, however, include form fitting end links like the latest models. Therefore there is a gap between the bracelet and the case. Mine unfortunately arrived with a chunk missing from one of the links likely due to an errant blow by a jewelers hammer during sizing by a previous owner. Luckily it was able to be replaced using one of the spare links that were provided. As I mentioned before, ceramic while having excellent scratch resistance is prone to cracking with sharp impacts.
LUME[/u]
Android has applied superluminova luminous paint to the small dots around the outer edge of the dial to indicate the hours and in patches on the main hour and minute hand.
STRAP MODS[/u]
Out of curiosity, I tried a few different 24mm Panatime strap combinations with the Virtuoso.
CONCLUSION[/u]
In the end, while I had never really considered owning a ceramic timepiece before, I'm quite happy that I was able to add this one in a trade. The black brushed finish case and bracelet mitigate some of the reservations I had with the typical high gloss ceramics and give the watch a subdued appearance. The Virtuoso design is modern and angular yet maintains a refreshing simplicity of design. The radiant blue dial is eye catching in its color while still being conservative in its design and remaining very easy to read. Overall this will be a great new addition to my Android collection.
Thanks for looking!
---------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL BLUES - by Moby (Lulu Rouge vs Stella Polaris Remix)
Android Virtuoso Ceramic Limited Edition ETA2824 Automatic
SPECS[/u]
- Band Genuine Leather
- Movement Swiss ETA 2824-2 Automatic w/ 25 Jewels
- Crystal Sapphire
- Crown Push/Pull
- Clasp Buckle
- Band Measurements 10-1/4" L x 24mm W
- Case Measurements 50mm
- Water Resistance 10 ATM - 100 meters - 330 feet
INTRO[/u]
For some reason, ceramic as a watch case material never drew me in. Often it is seen in high gloss black or white fashion watches with rounded surfaces.
Ceramics are a class of materials that can achieve a hardness up to 3-4 times that of stainless steel making them extremely scratch resistant. In addition they tend to have a low density/weight and excellent heat resistance making high-tech engineering ceramics ideal for aerospace and military applications. Furthermore, the coloration is baked into the material meaning that it will not fade or wear off like coated or plated metals.
However, these strengths come with one weakness. Ceramic is not malleable. Ceramic has a tendency to shatter when exposed to impact whereas stainless steel will bend/deform.
Perhaps it was ceramic's light weight in comparison to stainless steel or its susceptibility to shattering with impact that made me shy away. I just never found one to add to my collection... until a recent trade offer came along for this Android Virtuoso.
CASE[/u]
The Virtuoso is one of Android's flagship designs and its multiple variations often incorporate the finest movement and material compositions available to the brand. This watch is no different with a 50mm brushed black ceramic case that gives the appearance of PVD steel yet provides the superior scratch resistance that ceramic is known for. It is rated for a water resistance of 100 meters and has a coin edged stainless steel push pull crown. The fixed bezel is accented by tiny stainless steel allen head screws. The crystal is sapphire and features a bullet shaped magnifier over the date window at the 3 o'clock position.
DIAL[/u]
The large radiant blue dial on this watch features a series of gently curved grooves radiating from the center. There is an applied outer ring featuring elongated pentagonal polished silver hour markers and a roman numeral XII at the 12 position. The main hour and minute hands are also done in the same plashed silver and the sweeping center second hand features the Android logo at its base.
MOVEMENT[/u]
Powering this Virtuoso is a gold plated ETA 2824-2 25 jewel swiss automatic movement with a power reserve of 38 hours fully wound. The movement itself is visible through the screwed down case back with exhibition window. This Virtuoso was produced as a limited edition of 500 with this one being number 13 which is engraved into the case back. The movement rotor has "ANDROID" printed across it but the remainder is otherwise undecorated. This movement incorporates an Etachoc balance wheel shock absorption system as opposed to the higher grade Incabloc.
BRACELET[/u]
The 24mm wide ceramic bracelet also receives the same brushed finish like the case and terminates in a pushbutton dual deployant clasp. Android includes both full and half links to maximize adjustability. This version of the Virtuoso does not, however, include form fitting end links like the latest models. Therefore there is a gap between the bracelet and the case. Mine unfortunately arrived with a chunk missing from one of the links likely due to an errant blow by a jewelers hammer during sizing by a previous owner. Luckily it was able to be replaced using one of the spare links that were provided. As I mentioned before, ceramic while having excellent scratch resistance is prone to cracking with sharp impacts.
LUME[/u]
Android has applied superluminova luminous paint to the small dots around the outer edge of the dial to indicate the hours and in patches on the main hour and minute hand.
STRAP MODS[/u]
Out of curiosity, I tried a few different 24mm Panatime strap combinations with the Virtuoso.
CONCLUSION[/u]
In the end, while I had never really considered owning a ceramic timepiece before, I'm quite happy that I was able to add this one in a trade. The black brushed finish case and bracelet mitigate some of the reservations I had with the typical high gloss ceramics and give the watch a subdued appearance. The Virtuoso design is modern and angular yet maintains a refreshing simplicity of design. The radiant blue dial is eye catching in its color while still being conservative in its design and remaining very easy to read. Overall this will be a great new addition to my Android collection.
Thanks for looking!