When we think of German watchmaking, we think precision engineering and quality. And this is what we have here today from Aristo. Aristo was founded in 1907 by Julius Epple in Pforzheim, jewelry, and watchmaking in the Black Forest, Germany. The company has been producing timepieces for the last three generations.
Let’s kick things off with the Swiss heart within the German Flieger. The Aristo Flieger Vintage 42 Type B 7H117 - Sapphire is powered by a Swiss Made Sellita automatic caliber, Sw200-1 operating at 28,800 BPH (4 Hertz) hacking and hand winding capabilities. It has 26 jewels with a power reserve of 40 hours.
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Aristo Flieger Vintage 42 Type B - 7H117 - Sapphire |
Just like the original Type B Fliegers during those war times, the dial gets large Arabic numerals to aid the task of precise time-reading. The dial is clean and sticks to the basics, only to have a date display at 3 o’clock, along with minimal texts that imbued a refreshing manner. In keeping the vintage theme, Aristo uses the “Old Radium” SuperLuminova for both the numbers on the dial and on the hands.
Made In Germany |
Now, to the case. As the name implies, the watch measures the right size of 42mm, lug-to-lug length of 48mm, a thickness of 10.5mm, and a lug width of 20mm. The 316L stainless steel case is well finished by hand with a full satin brushed on the top and sides of the case to give it a robust, tool watch feel. The case comprises three parts; the bezel, the mid-case, and the screw-down case back. The bezel is beveled elegantly from the top to the mid-case, resulting in a refined look. In continuing the Flieger appeal, a large sand-blasted crown with pronounced grooves enlivens the Aristo Flieger Vintage much utilitarianism.
Flipping the timepiece over, it comes with a display back for us watch enthusiasts admire the SW200-1 at work. The size of the case, coupled with the sturdy short lugs that curved nicely to conform one’s wrist comfortably, makes this a great fit on all wrist sizes. Oh, did we mention this watch is made specifically for Gnomon Watches with a sapphire crystal?
SuperLuminova. Quite a sight in the dark. |
To complete the vintage theme, Aristo has paired this watch with a 20mm tan calf leather strap with whipstitching, manufactured by another German Maison - Rios 1931 strap company.
Display back with Aristo signed |