J
Joshua Clare-Flagg
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I’ve reviewed a Dufa before, the Walter Gropius. Up until recently, they only produced quartz timepieces. However, that’s now changed thanks to this watch, the Breuer, and the Swiss Made Bayer.
Of course, an automatic immediately raises the price – so the Breuer comes in at €689 / ~£600. That does seem a bit steep at first glance, but you are getting a really nicely designed timepiece that looks the part. Let’s see if it truly does do the price tag justice.
The specs
The case is simple in design: round, with thin spindly protruding lugs. Despite the small build, the quality is there – in the hand it’s nice to hold and look at.
It’s well finished too, being completely polished apart from a thin brushed slice around the outside edge below the bezel, as well as the outsides of the lugs.
The side profile shows the rather curvaceous form of the case – the base of it which makes contact with your wrist is smaller than the top, so it actually feels much smaller on the wrist than the 38mm (which isn’t massive to start with). This, as well as the light weight of 51g makes it a very easy watch to wear. It’s very comfortable.
The push-pull crown is small and unassuming, but provides enough grip to use easily. There is the Dufa logo accurately engraved on the end.
The caseback is a nice alternative to the traditional full-movement exhibition window. Rather than showing the entire Miyota 9015, it’s halved with the centre bearing of the rotor showing. It’s not a problem, as the movement is pretty plain – so nothing lost really, but it’s nice to see something a bit different.
The dial
All Dufa watches are very retro and vintage inspired, and the Breuer is no different. It’s extremely classic and Art Deco, thanks to the simple hands and hour markers and minimal printing.
The dial itself dark blue; luxurious and elegant, providing good legibility. It has a vertical linear brushing to it which provides a tiny amount of texture and softness.
The hour markers are all applied, and have a brushed finish. They are straight batons apart from the 12, where numerals are used instead. The applied elements are all good quality, well machined and flawless. The applied logo is located in the centre of top half. It’s nicely crafted considering the size, and is a striking design thanks to the shield shape.
The hands are same brushed finish – very simple batons with small points on the end and a small pitch. The seconds hand is an even thinner stick with a disc acting as the counterweight.
The date window is located just above the 6. A nice touch is that the wheel is concealed thanks to the matching colour of the dial. It has a bevelled border around it which is well executed.
The movement
The movement powering the Dufa Breuer is the Miyota 9015. It seems that this and the Seiko NH35A are the two go-to movements for microbrands and sub £500 autos nowadays. And they’re used for good reason – affordable, reliable, highly regarded, and well-specced.
You can’t see much of it as half is obscured by the caseback, but that’s not really a problem as it’s fairly plain and industrial in appearance. However, it’s nice to see custom printing on the rotor.
One thing to note is that it’s very noisy – you’re in a quiet environment and the rotor is free spinning you’ll hear it.
The accuracy of this 9015 is 9.9 s/d – very good, but could be better: I’ve seen them adjusted to near enough COSC specs.
The strap
The strap is 18mm wide at the lugs, reducing down to 16mm at the buckle. It’s a suitable size for the style and diameter of the case.
It has a brown alligator print on top, which brings in quite a vintage feel. The strap features quick release pins; which I’m seeing more and more of nowadays. Always a nice unexpected addition.
The strap is quite thin, but is supple and comfortable on the wrist. The quality is there, so the thinness of the strap is mainly for visual.
The buckle has the addition of the Dufa logo in the centre of the top half, which is attractively done.
Final comments
I’m going to say it straight up: I think the full RRP of €689 / ~£600 is too much for a watch with a Miyota in it. Fact. But, not to fear, as I have found it on Amazon for £400 – a bit better, but I still think it’s a little steep.
Price aside, as it the case with pretty much all Dufa watches – the design is delightful. A charming, quaint, vintage themed timepiece that is incredibly simple, but still works. The build quality is neat and the Breuer looks impressive on the wrist; it’s also a very functional size at 38mm in diameter. The case is precisely manufactured too, and all this leads to an overall pleasurable experience with the Dufa Breuer. I wouldn’t recommend it at full RPP, but if you can snag a deal on one then I would definitely say go for it.
Continue reading...
Let us know your thoughts and impressions.
I’ve reviewed a Dufa before, the Walter Gropius. Up until recently, they only produced quartz timepieces. However, that’s now changed thanks to this watch, the Breuer, and the Swiss Made Bayer.
Of course, an automatic immediately raises the price – so the Breuer comes in at €689 / ~£600. That does seem a bit steep at first glance, but you are getting a really nicely designed timepiece that looks the part. Let’s see if it truly does do the price tag justice.
The specs
- Dimensions: 38mm diameter x 10.3mm height x 46mm lug to lug
- Weight: 51g
- Water resistance rating: 3ATM / 30m
- Movement: Miyota 9015
- Lug width: 18mm
- Accuracy: 9.9 s/d
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: €689
The case is simple in design: round, with thin spindly protruding lugs. Despite the small build, the quality is there – in the hand it’s nice to hold and look at.
It’s well finished too, being completely polished apart from a thin brushed slice around the outside edge below the bezel, as well as the outsides of the lugs.
The side profile shows the rather curvaceous form of the case – the base of it which makes contact with your wrist is smaller than the top, so it actually feels much smaller on the wrist than the 38mm (which isn’t massive to start with). This, as well as the light weight of 51g makes it a very easy watch to wear. It’s very comfortable.
The push-pull crown is small and unassuming, but provides enough grip to use easily. There is the Dufa logo accurately engraved on the end.
The caseback is a nice alternative to the traditional full-movement exhibition window. Rather than showing the entire Miyota 9015, it’s halved with the centre bearing of the rotor showing. It’s not a problem, as the movement is pretty plain – so nothing lost really, but it’s nice to see something a bit different.
The dial
All Dufa watches are very retro and vintage inspired, and the Breuer is no different. It’s extremely classic and Art Deco, thanks to the simple hands and hour markers and minimal printing.
The dial itself dark blue; luxurious and elegant, providing good legibility. It has a vertical linear brushing to it which provides a tiny amount of texture and softness.
The hour markers are all applied, and have a brushed finish. They are straight batons apart from the 12, where numerals are used instead. The applied elements are all good quality, well machined and flawless. The applied logo is located in the centre of top half. It’s nicely crafted considering the size, and is a striking design thanks to the shield shape.
The hands are same brushed finish – very simple batons with small points on the end and a small pitch. The seconds hand is an even thinner stick with a disc acting as the counterweight.
The date window is located just above the 6. A nice touch is that the wheel is concealed thanks to the matching colour of the dial. It has a bevelled border around it which is well executed.
The movement
The movement powering the Dufa Breuer is the Miyota 9015. It seems that this and the Seiko NH35A are the two go-to movements for microbrands and sub £500 autos nowadays. And they’re used for good reason – affordable, reliable, highly regarded, and well-specced.
You can’t see much of it as half is obscured by the caseback, but that’s not really a problem as it’s fairly plain and industrial in appearance. However, it’s nice to see custom printing on the rotor.
One thing to note is that it’s very noisy – you’re in a quiet environment and the rotor is free spinning you’ll hear it.
The accuracy of this 9015 is 9.9 s/d – very good, but could be better: I’ve seen them adjusted to near enough COSC specs.
The strap
The strap is 18mm wide at the lugs, reducing down to 16mm at the buckle. It’s a suitable size for the style and diameter of the case.
It has a brown alligator print on top, which brings in quite a vintage feel. The strap features quick release pins; which I’m seeing more and more of nowadays. Always a nice unexpected addition.
The strap is quite thin, but is supple and comfortable on the wrist. The quality is there, so the thinness of the strap is mainly for visual.
The buckle has the addition of the Dufa logo in the centre of the top half, which is attractively done.
Final comments
I’m going to say it straight up: I think the full RRP of €689 / ~£600 is too much for a watch with a Miyota in it. Fact. But, not to fear, as I have found it on Amazon for £400 – a bit better, but I still think it’s a little steep.
Price aside, as it the case with pretty much all Dufa watches – the design is delightful. A charming, quaint, vintage themed timepiece that is incredibly simple, but still works. The build quality is neat and the Breuer looks impressive on the wrist; it’s also a very functional size at 38mm in diameter. The case is precisely manufactured too, and all this leads to an overall pleasurable experience with the Dufa Breuer. I wouldn’t recommend it at full RPP, but if you can snag a deal on one then I would definitely say go for it.
Continue reading...
Let us know your thoughts and impressions.