Mine arrived yesterday, and I can say it's a very impressive watch. The Damascus effect is very subtle and doesn't distract from the overall design. I was quite impressed with everything about this watch up to and including the fact that they obviously set the date and time just before they boxed it up because it arrived to me already adjusted. From Thailand to Texas! 😎
I'm considering pulling the trigger on this gorgeous watch. How long did it take you to receive yours from order placement to arrival in the US? Thanks!
I generally find micros to be parts-bin mashups or cringey watches that are trying too hard, but this is brilliant. Spot on review and thanks for bringing this too my attention. You are continuing to be one of my favorite reviewers so please, keep up the good work. Thanks!
Many thanks for reaching out to Wise to review this one, I've been looking at these models for a while and procrastinating about whether to pull the trigger, absolutely love your choice ,wouldn't have been my first choice but after watching your review I'm considering it. Great watch I am a fan of metallurgy and love damascus processes. This particular timepiece brings together alot of elements I like. Cheers Peter nice photography mate!
Great review of a great watch. I agree 100% with your comparison to the king seikos and air kings of old. The case shape, the smaller faceted indices with minimal lume, and not-too modern hands lend it that familiar feel at a glance. Your review of the Hitman and the Diving 300m put Wise on the map for me and many others. Hard to believe they haven't made a miss yet! Here's hoping they don't go too far upmarket.
I saw this drop on their website and wondered if I'd see you review it, Peter. That Damascus case is simply stunning. Since it seems to be all the rage, I'm waiting to see Wise make a GMT - there's every chance it will be a winner too
I got a hitman after your review of it and I love it--as soon as I saw this I loved it. I just wish it didn't have that Damascus steel. If they make a polished stainless version I'll be all over it.
WOW🤩 Peter a great watch video to come home to! Luv the case and the matching buckle and crown. Well conceived design with a good affordable movement. I’ll have to visit BK to pick one up!
The head office of this company is not that far from my house (yes I'm in Bangkok) but yet I get to see their watches. Anyway, the watch fest will be held until this Sunday and I hope to see some of them there. To be said, this company also offers you options to the watch like, change the crown side, change the seconds hand tip colour but I can't remember which one that they offered this.
Its fantastic, and as you say the brand is making very high quality pieces, I have 3 different models, all bought after your reviews 🙌🏻.. if I hadn’t gone for the Seiko SDGM001 I should have gone for this for sure.. but who knows 🙄.. will see.. nice review as always Peter, thanks 🙏
I really like the blue dial version but hope there will be a video of it soon. Wondering how the competition stacks up for around $700 but this watch definitely has a unique twist with the Damascus. The applied indices remind me of an Omega Aqua Terra.
Just beautifully understated until closer inspection.. the Damascus steel (inc buckle), gives this watch a super refined extremely classy look.. the finish is just lovely ! On my wish list now 😊 OK have now ordered the Blue version, from within Thailand, (I live here), very lovely to deal with and about 2 weeks by the sound of it. Trying to remain calm and patient.. 🤤🤤🥲🤣
Lovely watch! Thanks for sharing as I've never had this brand on my radar before! Made me look at all their listings in the store and found 3 keepers already. Have pinged them after seeing the video images on your review to see if we can carry them in The Microbrand Store. If not, I'll still be ordering one or two as a customer!
Hi Peter, I want you to know that you have become my favorite watch reviewer on RU-vid. I like your taste and watches and have purchased a few of them because of your reviews. I am about to purchase two wise watches your voice, the way you speak and the way you revieware above with all the other mid to high end reviewers. Thank you for your time patience and incredible photography. Keep doing what you’re doing. It is much appreciated by many of us.
Nice find Peter!… been waiting for Damascus (adamascus) looking cased watch other than the reverse look of carbon fibre. Can definitely see aqua terra hints from afar especially with the indices height which is a spectacular looking watch imho. Thanks for sharing as always.
And again we agree, Peter. Thanks for the video and the very good description of your impressions. Truly a beauty, but for now I prefer the AD8. Many kind regards from summery Hamburg
Nice review like always Pete. I think the rotor is another room for improvement in this watch. A customised rotor would be pleasing to see. I have two Wise watches and this one is tempting me too : )
Nice looking piece with proportions almost perfect for me. I wish it was stainless steel case. Damascus doesn't correspond well with vintage style, in my humble opinion. Would be great to see some chronograph in Wise collection. I'm happy owner of AD8. Quality match the price.
This brand produces pieces that are so close to perfection (I know, not possible). The "W" logo on the rotor would look great applied on the dial, and no date, please.
Love this watch, been searching YT for a week now for a proper review. I’m liking the blue face version but a little scared it might wear big on my 6.75 wrist. Any thoughts on this and how it wears. I’ve just ordered a 36mm Traska Summiteer which I’m excited about. Keep up the good work, best watch reviews and presentation on YT 😊👍
I have a Wise (AD951 with Red Dial), on a black leather strap, and I love it. A good well made watch. I have been waiting for them to offer the AD791 again (silk gray enamel dial). It has been out of stock for months now, but I keep checking!
The Damascus steel is so cool and such a great idea for a watch in my opinion. Even though the looks are a bit homagey, the Damascus seems to set it apart! My only issue is that I’m guessing the Damascus is the very reason it does not come with a bracelet, presumably because a standard steel bracelet would clash with the Damascus and a Damascus bracelet (if even possible) would probably be too much. Still a really great looking watch and by the sounds of it really well made, thanks Peter for highlighting this one!! Another watch to add to the list that I can’t afford at the moment!!!🤣🤣
I have just ordered this watch - have been eyeballing it for a long time now and my reason for ordering it is largely based on your review in this video !! Keep up the good work 👍 (even though it will probably cost me !! 😆)
Thank you for review, I really like this one. For me standard steel would be probably better but thanks to your review I have bought AD8 and absolutely love it.
Great review mate! Thanks for sharing. If this watch is 36mm I would have bought it without a second thought. unfortunately, I just bought a CW c63 Sealander 36mm. Only wish this watch comes in more vintage size (36mm). Will you be doing a review on the new Tudor BB 54 in the future? I would love to see your opinion on that watch.
I just cannot make my mind up whether I like this or not really. There is lots to like, for sure, as you've pointed out on a technical level it is difficult to fault, and that shows. However, whether it's a successful design and choice of finishes is what is up for debate. Certainly the application of damascus steel itself (undeniably beautiful on knives or swords to me) is crucial. Just before this was announced there was the Straum Opphav Damascus and I had to decide that I find it more successful in regular stainless. With Wise's attempt I feel it is immediately more successful, perhaps because it's more dramatically present thanks to a simpler case, but this really begs the question if it adds anything good beyond curiosity. I'm just not sure that it does. I like the casual vintage touches of the shapes of the indices and hands, but even there I'm not sure I really love it. So, I think this is one I definitely like, is technically impressively executed, but I fail to connect with. It's a little like the AD8 all over again. Perhaps without a dive bezel or at least a much more subtly executed one, I might have pursued it, but as it is I do keep coming back to it, but it is just not quite right as a whole for me, which is such a shame from a company that does the production so so well! And now they also are adding bracelets, I am wondering if a Wise that suits me to the t will actually happen. Then I'll have a really hard time to resist.
If this thing was in 37 or 36 I think it would be a done deal for me. Since the lugs are so wide, I think this would be perfect in a vintage size, just like those king seikos and Rolex models you mentioned
Agreed: the size ( for me) for a non diver I just don't enjoy anymore. It does look attractive. I like the C.W.36 , which for around he same price I get the 36 size, a bracelet ( clasp too large though) and a better ( no noise) movement and a brand that's been around longer( if that counts as a buyer (where's my commission))?
I just might. True, the brand name on the dial is a little plain, but personally I don't care for their logo, it reminds me of so many Ali Express brands, and I think on this watch it suits the simplicity of the dial. I've liked these for a little while now, and I think you may have just pushed me over the edge. Damn you!!😘
I agree with your conclusion, a King Seikos reference is what I saw first. The indices remind me of Aqua Terras which is by no means meant as a criticism. The faux patina by the way is done right as it's a fairly mild effect. But I'm not sure the damascus steel fits this kind of watch. The alternative they offer is 904L steel fully polished which I'm also no fan of.
Well Peter, I was thinking about it and I found a flaw.🙄 The price! $700 is a bit on the steep side and the $1,200. Regular price is wildly optimistic. For $700, I'd almost expect a Sellita and for $1,200. That goes double. 😮
Micro watch brand remind me of micro beer brands during the mid 2000's. They have their own taste and go their own way....and are catching steam with aficionados.
Great looking watch and those indicies are incredibly striking. I just don't know about the adamascus case..... 3:28 It kinda looks like zebra print on your wrist. In my opinion, it would've looked a lot classier if they'd just used a "regular" stainless steel case (and might've brought the cost down a little as well).
@@PeterKotsa I seen this watch on their site a few weeks ago and was ready to buy, until I seen the Damascus stripes. It disappears in some light, but wish they offered it in a ss case. Take care.
Have to say, Wise are making some of the best looking watches on the market as of today. But i agree with you, if they could come up with a nicer logo, this watch would be a winner, even thought it looks good already. Been looking for a new diver, the AD8, but I also want a more dressy watch, so also been looking into the AD9M meterorite, but this one looks damn sexy too....if only it came in a 41, or event better a 43 mm case, I would order one today :) ....but I am for sure getting one...or maybe 2, on my next Thailand-trip :)
@@stevehenrytagami4709 not sure what the prices are in the stores in Thailand, but if it's the same as on the website, at least for me it would be cheaper to buy directly, at least up to around $600, because of taxes, which in total would add 35% (in Norway) on the prices when ordering online. Purchases up to around $600 is tax free, as long as long as you have been out of the country for at least 24h. And besides, there might be room to get a better deal in a physical store :)
very nice watch, to me more interesting than all the watches & wonders fuzz currently ging on. It reminds me of an old Aqua Terra, very clean and appealing design - and not boring. Is the case a special material (Damascus steel) or just surface treatment?
The only thing I would improve which I don’t consider a negative is the logo font. I would have used their elegant stylised logo for this gorgeous piece.
Great vintage look. Think I would prefer their 904 steel case. The Damascus layered steel seems kind of a sales gimmick. There is a Norwegian micro brand who does the same style Damascus case. Handsome, but not for me. I have one of their 904 steel divers. Really outstanding quality watch. Still waiting for my meteorite dial watch.
@@garyboyle695 I wonder if the Seiko, and GS ever brilliant steel is a gimmick also? Thought the color on the 904 and ever brilliant was a bit different. Brighter? I wear my wise 904 diver to work on a farm, shooting competitively. Held up well so far. My Seikos with ever brilliant cases seem very tough.
Gorgeous watch. If it wasn't for import taxes I'd have ordered one but its over 1k by the time its on wrist which is too spendy for my a miyota powered microbrand in my mind.
A Thai watchmaker huh? Interesting, haven't seen one before. Give me a GMT version of this, I'm done. I hear Miyota has a true GMT movement already (9075); I wonder how much work would it take to get one of those in this; would it be just a lift-and-shift-add-a-hand-change-the-hour-scale-into-24hrs kind of job, does it need a thicker case to accommodate the extra hand, etc.? Nice work here, now I'm wondering if there's a matching bracelet for this. Too much bling? Probably. But they seem to have a very good eye for class and design, they might just figure out how to balance the damascus pattern. Or just use a bracelet with brushed sections to match the dial? Hmmm
Another informative review. Beautiful watch. But you really got my attention when you mentioned Thailand. That’s a great development. I would love to see Thailand develop as a watch making country!
If Wise changed their dial logo I'm pretty sure between this one and their Dive Watch I could purge the rest of my watch collection. Sadly I just can not get past the logo.. It think it's the font as other brands just use their brand name on the dial and I buy them. Anyway I'll be lurking their site and if they ever change that logo so in my mind it fits a watch of such a quality build I'll be pulling the trigger.
The W logo is amazing they should have used the opportunity to use it in the all gold anniversary perhaps they are waiting for 20 years but it's a must 🙏
This or the high end Japanese Knot watches for $700 are absolutely superb quality for the money. Make the Swiss watches look ridiculously overpriced...
Wise puts the Swiss majors to shame with its use of case materials (and they’re all put to shame by Zelos for that tungsten model they did a few years ago). If I had any occasion to wear a dress watch, this one would be on my wrist. Or one of the their 904L Adamascus. All for one thirtieth the price of a Rolex with its dear “oyster steel”.
I really like this watch and would absolutely buy one if it had a regular stainless steel case. I think the adamascus steel takes away from the design. Purely subjective I admit!
Can anyone tell me , this caliber is unidirectional correct? Does it make a noise? I had a watch with some kind of 9 series movement before and I could feel and hear the movement on my wrist and it drove me nuts. Not sure if it was this exact same movement though?
