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v7.3 (A.I. Watch & Collection Reviews)
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3 - McDowell Time / Swiss Watch Company / Monchard - 202409252155
Njama J
Collector:
Collector Description
SWC - One of the few watches in my collection that'll not leave.
A.I. Watch Collection Review
6.9
### 3 Watches - McDowell Time (33%) / Swiss Watch Company (33%) / Monchard (33%)
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### Collection Type by Style:
Field: 33% Monchard Trenchhunter
Sport: 33% Swiss Watch Company Ark Black Red
Racing: 33% McDowell Time The Maxton
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### Collection Type by Movement:
Quartz: 67% Swiss Watch Company Ark Black Red, Monchard Trenchhunter
Meca-Quartz: 33% McDowell Time The Maxton
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### Overall Collection Rating: 6.9/10
This collection highlights affordable timepieces with a strong emphasis on sport and field watches, offering practical functions in terms of water resistance and durability. Each watch demonstrates good value for its price point, focusing on a balance between style and function, though some aspects like brand reputation and material quality hold the overall collection back slightly.
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### Breakdown by Watch Collection Metrics:
- **Brand - Rating 6.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
Each brand represented in this collection is from the microbrand space. While these brands may not have the recognition of major luxury watchmakers, they each hold a reputation for offering great value and innovative designs.
- **History & Innovation - Rating 6.2/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
This collection doesn’t include watches with significant historical influence but does show a mix of innovation at affordable price points, especially with the use of reliable quartz and meca-quartz movements.
- **Rarity - Rating 6.5/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
While none of these watches are rare in the traditional luxury sense, being part of microbrand runs gives each piece a degree of exclusivity within the enthusiast community.
- **Material - Rating 6.8/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
The materials used in this collection, including stainless steel cases, sapphire crystals, and durable straps, are appropriate for their price range and ensure these watches can withstand everyday wear.
- **Movement - Rating 6.2/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
The collection primarily features quartz movements, offering reliability and accuracy, though lacking the prestige and complexity of automatic or manual movements. The McDowell Time Maxton offers a hybrid meca-quartz movement, which adds a bit more complexity.
- **Versatility - Rating 7.3/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
Each watch is well-suited for different settings, with the Monchard Trenchhunter excelling in rugged field conditions, the Swiss Watch Company Ark suited for active lifestyles, and the McDowell Maxton offering vintage racing style.
- **Complications - Rating 6.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
None of the watches have highly complicated movements, but the chronograph in the McDowell Time Maxton adds a functional complication to the collection. The other two watches keep things simple with time and date displays.
- **Functions - Rating 7.5/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
Each watch offers solid practical functions, including good water resistance, lume, and the robustness needed for various environments. The Swiss Watch Company Ark in particular shines with its strong lume and water resistance.
- **Dials & Design - Rating 7.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
The dial designs in this collection are clean, functional, and appealing. The McDowell Time Maxton stands out for its colorful, racing-inspired dial, while the Monchard Trenchhunter offers a classic field watch design.
- **Cohesiveness - Rating 6.5/10.0 (Weight: 10%)**
The collection leans toward sporty and utilitarian watches, with a focus on function over formality. There is a clear thematic connection between the ruggedness of the field and sport designs, though the racing-inspired Maxton introduces a slightly different aesthetic.
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### Watch by Watch Summary:
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1. **McDowell Time The Maxton (7.3)** - Price Estimate: $320
- Brand (6.5), History & Innovation (6.8), Rarity (7.2), Material (7.5), Dials & Design (7.8), Movement (6.5), Complications (7.0), Functions (7.8), Versatility (7.5), Cohesiveness (7.5)
- A racing chronograph with vintage appeal, powered by a **Seiko VK64 meca-quartz** movement. The **316L stainless steel case** and **sapphire crystal** ensure durability, while the dial’s bold design enhances its motorsport aesthetic. With its chronograph function, solid materials, and accessible pricing, the Maxton offers great value for motorsport enthusiasts.
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2. **Swiss Watch Company Ark Black Red (7.1)** - Price Estimate: $225
- Brand (6.0), History & Innovation (6.5), Rarity (6.3), Material (7.0), Dials & Design (7.0), Movement (6.2), Complications (6.0), Functions (8.5), Versatility (7.2), Cohesiveness (7.5)
- The **Ark** is a robust, sporty watch with excellent lume and 100m water resistance, powered by a reliable quartz movement. It’s an affordable timepiece built for active lifestyles, offering durability and clarity in design. The **red accents** on the dial add flair to an otherwise utilitarian piece, making it suitable for various outdoor activities.
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3. **Monchard Trenchhunter (6.4)** - Price Estimate: $190
- Brand (5.5), History & Innovation (5.8), Rarity (6.0), Material (6.5), Dials & Design (6.3), Movement (6.0), Complications (5.5), Functions (7.0), Versatility (6.8), Cohesiveness (6.8)
- The **Monchard Trenchhunter** is a simple, no-frills field watch inspired by military timepieces. It features a **quartz movement**, providing reliability without any complicated features. The **design** focuses on legibility, with classic field watch elements like a matte dial and bold indices. Though basic in its features, it delivers solid value for those seeking an entry-level field watch.
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### Collection Strengths and Potential Ways for Improvement:
**Strengths:**
- This collection offers excellent value across the board, with each watch providing solid performance for its price range.
- The diversity in styles—racing, sport, and field—adds a nice thematic variety without sacrificing functionality.
**Potential Ways for Improvement:**
- Incorporating more mechanical or automatic movements could enhance the collection’s appeal to horological enthusiasts.
- Adding more complex complications beyond basic chronographs or date functions could improve the overall versatility and functional depth.
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**A.I. WatchMetrics Review v6.20**