Boston & Stewill Tourer with ETA 2895-2

British microbrand Boston & Stewill is currently on Kickstarter with their latest project, a new Tourer watch powered by an automatic Swiss movement with small seconds.

I have mixed feelings about this watch, there are plenty of things to like about it, yet I can’t ignore a few of its features that really bother me. Let’s focus first on its virtues.

The price is very attractive, £360 (about US$445) is really good for a watch powered by an ETA 2895-2, and you are not buying only a movement, but also a watch with a brushed case, domed sapphire crystal, a sporty perforated leather strap with deployment clasp. If you are nuts about classic cars, I’m sure you will love the dial of the Tourer, but to more I look at it, the more I wish they would have done a few things differently. First of all, at 40 mm instead of 42 mm, the date window would have been closer to the edge of the dial and it would not have that weird emptiness between the date window and the 3 o’clock index that breaks the balance of the dial.

Boston & Stewill Tourer

The small second dial inspired by a vintage Bugatti grill has a rather original shape that Boston & Stewill wants to make it part of their trademark look. Having a unique design feature is a great idea for a small brand, it can help them develop an unmistakable identity, but in this case, I’m not sure everyone will accept it. Just like the date window, this sub dial too could have benefitted from a smaller diameter of the case.

If they reach their £75,000 goal, besides the black dial with white hands and the white dial with blue hands, they will add a third model with a grey dial and orange hands.