Alfex extends its Big series with Big Adventure watch

The Swiss-based watchmaking company that specializes on fashion timekeepers has just revealed its new Alfex Big Adventure quartz watch.

Powered by a Swiss made quartz movement manufactured by Ronda, the watch features sporty and energetic (alas, definitely inexpensive) design with an open calendar and a small seconds counter at 7 o’clock.

In its press release the Swiss watchmaker doesn’t go into any details regarding the movement, but, judging by the looks of it, it is either a Caliber 1009 or a Caliber 1019.

Both movements belong to Ronda’s “slimtech” line, are built on 10 jewels and offer roughly 2 years of power reserve.

Although definitely not a piece of art, the watch is by no means ugly. It even comes equipped with an integrated, internal rotating reflector and a 60-min timer.

The timer actually consists of a simple 60-minute scale printed on the bezel flange.

As you may have already guessed, the scale is operated by the extra setting crown that allows you to rotate the flange setting the timer in a way similar to that used on diving watches.

From the point of view of usability, it would be easier to use if the bezel itself was rotatable, but at least the actual solution makes the watch look more original and, well, more sophisticated.

Another usability (or, rather, legibility) issue here is the simple calendar. With so many cut-outs in the dial, it takes some effort (a minor one, but still rather irritating) to understand where it should be read.

The small red arrow printed at 3 o’clock doesn’t really help: it is just too small to be easily found on the busy dial.

Well, on the other hand it is just a design watch: it is not supposed to be worn by fighter-jet pilots or race car drivers, so legibility was definitely not on the top of the list, when the watch was still on the drawing board.

One more thing to worry about is that while one would expect to wear this watch on a stainless steel bracelet it is sold with either brown or a black synthetic leather wrist band, depending on the dial’s color.

The Alfex Big Adventure quartz watch is water-resistant up to 5 atmospheres (50 m or 165ft), which basically means that you can take shower in it but should avoid wearing the timepiece while diving or even swimming in a pool.

Alfex Big Adventure watch specification:

Price range: around $600
Movement: Quartz movement by Ronda
Complications: Calendar (date), timer
Power reserve: N/A
Case material: Stainless steel
Case diameter: N/A
Dial: Black-and-White, Brown, Brown-and-Yellow
Water resistance: 50 meters
Crystal: Anti-glare sapphire crystal
Case-back: Solid