For quality and elegance this new French Watch brand is a breath of fresh air! Seeing it on paper is one thing but to see it close up and personal is an absolute delight! I Just had to have this one as I had a feeling this could be a gem – and I was right! This is the Briston Clubmaster HMS Date quartz watch in Black/Khaki case/strap combination. Wonderful hand finished Italian polished acetate (Tortoise shell) case, seamlessly integrated into a stainless steel framework and is one of the sweetest watches I’ve come across for ages!
Measuring 40mm x 40mm x 11.7mm this cushion shaped case impresses me greatly, such is it’s soft dark Tortoise shell lustre finish. The highly polished stainless bezel, lugs and case frame/back are so smoothly integrated it’s like an Art Nouveau gem. And the brightwork is beautifully polished, it really stands out.
The well figured large stainless crown has twin rubber rings for added grip and it’s two positions set the time (hacking) plus the quick set date. The matte background dial is contrasted by the quite broad but perfectly sized silver edged hour and minute hands, with luminous? infills and a white center seconds hand. White numerals at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 with baton markers in between plus the date aperture @3 make up the uncluttered and very legible dial.
This model is powered by a Miyota 2315 quartz movement which is a straight forward Japan assembled unit with an accuracy of around 20 secs/month and a battery change (Silver Oxide SR626SW or Renata 377) every 3 years or so. A sensible choice in my opinion as these are very reliable and also no problem if replacement is ever required. The Crystal is 2.3mm thick domed mineral glass and the model has a 100m Water Resistance rating, which is a real plus at this price range.
The stainless steel back is a screw down type and again everything is seamless and smooth, almost as if it was one piece. Others should take note!
The supplied khaki NATO strap is 20mm wide and approx 245 in length and the case, having standard lugs, will accept any standard strap. But the advantage of the NATO style is that it fits the wrist so well.
Briston take care to match the strap style and colours to the model and this combination of the polished stainless steel bezel, lugs and back, framed by the brown lustrous tortoise acetate and all against the khaki colour of the strap – just does it for me. Indeed there are a few brands around who use alternative case materials, but this quality acetate is an absolute winner for me.
Briston have obviously taken some thought as to the superbly made crown, which is a delight to use and could be a Brand feature – a part so often neglected in watch design.
Receiving the watch was actually a nice experience, if I can say that, as the box has a soft touch white finish and opened with the little red ribbon pull, reveals the watch elegantly presented on a broad mounting pad. Also inside is the Instruction Booklet in French and English with the 2 year Guarantee incorporated on the back page.
So am I pleased?
Yes! in fact VERY pleased and delighted with this purchase – it is certainly one of the sweetest watch models I’ve seen for years! As I already said, a breath of fresh air from this new Watch Company just has to be good!
For wearing it’s equally as good as a dress watch or as a daily. It costs around £130 in the UK (HERE) from Twisted Time and for me, the use of that perfectly finished and shaped acetate, is an absolute design triumph and the overall concept is arguably well above it’s price point.
I have to assume the chronograph versions are every bit as good and I’m sorely tempted already – maybe a new collection starting?
Note – The Briston Clubmaster Chronograph model is also available from Twisted Time here in the UK. Whilst it uses the same design concept and a similar quality of movement (Miyota OS21 quartz). It’s more more expensive at around £200, though is still good value for me.
Now, they are nice, of that there is no question, but whereas my date version is in my opinion really good value, time will tell if the Chrono version is too. The same colour scheme as my Date model for example is £215.
I will, however, keep an eye on this Company, as I have the feeling they have more to offer and who knows, another one for my collection could be in sight.
Watch space 
Now that’s my kind of watch. Unfortunately, I’m pretty hard on watches. Have you noticed in the age of cell phones, just how few young people wear watches?