Chapter 1.1 Silver is the first Ba111od watch I had and remains my preferred one.
The watch is casual wear, not water safe. I wear Chapter 1.1 silver with a navy 2 piece suit tie less and with some tan Derbys. I like coordinating the metal colour so with the 1.1 there are stainless steel or sterling silver cufflinks – preferably with some pattern that goes well with the finish of the case and/or the small accent colours of the dial (blue from screws and brass from the exposed wheels)
I have seen the first time chapter 1.1 on the Watches.TV channel on YouTube. I was intrigued and challenged by its design and concept story.
Safely and well wrapped, I discovered inside a bubble-wrapped box with a zip-closed watch case for the watch, its warranty card and the booklet. I was aware it is made in China but something was very different about this produce – i.e. the attention to details and the finish. Several watches later the excitement and joy of opening a new parcel from Ba111od have not diminished.
From the computer screen, it was clear that the large second's hand was the main central thing on the dial while the hour/minute dial and hands were at 1 o’clock. It was very obvious there are 2 balance wheels (though not much information about its utility) and the 4 o’clock signed crown. When arriving, I started discovering and being amazed at things not so obvious or plainly misunderstood in the first place.
I care about the accuracy of the watches. To take out the obvious – a mechanical watch will not compete in this day and age with the precision of an electronic one. And I am not talking 1-2 seconds a day but … 20-30. So, no chronometry certification. The two balance wheels are almost only a design feature and not something that really improves the accuracy of the movement. It is not F P Journe or Armin Strom resonance. There are 47 jewels in the movement but there is little justification and advantage out of this thing. Another drawback was the leather strap that never felt good or indeed kept the watch where I wanted to, on my wrist.
Is there a resale value in this? Not for now but one’s hopes will be last to disappear. Maybe one day, when the brand will be well known and respected, the discontinued models would have a following and request. But one shouldn’t hold the breath about it (remember that the 100 years old impeccably maintained furniture that is very expensive today was expensive in the first place, the in-expensive, is not so much in demand). Meanwhile, instead of hiding those watches in safes, wear and be proud of them! Be careful and respectful and let them carry their wounds with the pride of the soldiers wounded in battle. In time there will be dings and scratches but it is one of the important things that bonds a watch to its owner. And his/her inheritance.
Here are my favourites:
- the case, that can be most likely appreciated in reality, is very nice for a modern watch alternating the brushed finishes with the polished surfaces, giving it character and contrast.
- the domed crystal is great and the back sapphire window opened the big rotor with the logo and the interesting movement.
- at 7.5 inches wrist size, I was nervous that the watch was too big for me. Due to its elevated lugs, especially on metal bands, the miracle happened – the watch rests where I want it and how I wanted it without overshadowing the normal proportion a watch should comfortably have.
- the name, logo etc. are less intrusive, leaving air and maybe a chance for a good old conversation - to ask a question or two if considered appropriate.
- the wallet has its logo and seems well made; even the cardboard boxes hold their shape and do a good protective job. The weakest link in this chain is the cardboard sleeve which, after several uses, gets frail and starts tearing apart.
- the movement is decent – after regulating it, I consistently get 11 – 17 seconds fast a day which is ok when one knows the watch and uses it to tell the time. I use it at work to help me count my patient’s respiratory rate or when manually checking the heart pulse.
I believe it is beautiful and practical, a good conversation starter and choice.