Going to the future – Tennet Somerset
Watches can get a personality of their own, it all depends on how they look and feel but, there is also a mixture of all the parts together, this cannot be quantified.
I have come across many cool examples this year, some original designs and other not so much. But a watch that I came across all the time was the Tennet Somerset. It is one of those watches that when you see it for the first time you really stop scrolling (if you are on Instagram) and say: wow, what is this?
The ‘’wow’’ factor doesn’t come from complexity, on the contrary it comes from its simplicity. It would take be the double the time to discuss the Tennet’s details, the dial and case but also, I could end up the review with a simple, it’s a dress modern watch.
The last statement would be a complete disservice to the watch, to my eyes this is one of the most intricate and original designs I’ve managed to get my hands on. The fact that the Somerset has vintage cues with a modern approach (and still works) is a testament on how good the design is.
I had a good conversation with Royce Wee, the founder of Tennet. He is a lawyer just like me and he worked in the technology field also like me, so does this mean that we have the same taste? no, but here we are connected by a beautiful object.
Coming back to the watch itself, the Somerset has all the right ingredients to be a hit including a good size and meticulous finishing. in fact, it is a watch that has crawled high up on my wish list, this is not good for the wallet. Please allow me to tell you why the watch is great, let us begin.
The specifications
The Somerset is great in terms of dimensions, the 38mm case feels like a good bridge between vintage and modern watches. These days, 39mm is a bit on the large side and 37mm is a tad too small. The length of the watch is 46mm and with those sharp ‘corne de vaches’ stye lugs, the Somerset looks elegant, modern but also tamed in some ways, it doesn’t scream.
When it comes to the case, the are several types of finishing. From full polished to satin touches, the Somerset is an understated watch, but then everything explodes with the dial. You could easily point out that the style follows closely those vintage sector dials. The main minute track has a different grain finishing for legibility proposes and on top of it, you will have stick applied markers separated by tear drop style ones.
The centre of the dial has a circular finishing which is very hypnotizing. On the dial itself you can also find the skeletonized hands which glide nicely and keeping the tear drop theme alive. The seconds hands end in a black tip, this is the only detail apart from the logo at 12 in black colour. There is nothing else on the dial in terms of writing, no water resistance, no movement, or reference name, it is all very austere in good way, less is much more.
Turn the watch over and you will be greeted with what to me is the best off the shelf Swiss movement today: The Sellita SW210-1b D4. it is beautiful to look at and includes blued screws, cotes de Geneve and perlage, no rotor getting on the way. One small grip might be that it only offers 42 hours of power reserve. I will maintain the case that this means more interaction with movement via the well machined crown. The red dot and knurling are both small but powerful testaments on the attention to detail from the brand.
The Somerset is water resistance to 200 meters, an outstanding achievement for a push and pull mechanism on the crown, this could be your only watch if you really want to.
On the wrist
As you can imagine with a manual movement and no extra complication, the Somerset comes at a thickness under 10mm. Aided by the cow style lugs, the watch sits flat on my 6.25-inch wrist. The 20mm Delugs supplied strap is comfortable and with that beige tone with white stitching the Somerset it is elevated to a dressier feel.
The watch is very legible despite the monotone scheme, the different surfaces on the dial aided by the AR coating on the crystal, create a very satisfactory daily wearer. There is Superluminova in the hands to help with night visibility, it works well.
Most of the time, I’ve enjoyed the watch at office environments, there is something very classic about this watch that I cannot ping point, is it the lugs or the logo shape? perhaps the size? Whatever it is, the watch doesn’t feel out of place with a casual attire, it would be at home in a more elegant setting, perhaps a bracelet option for a more every day wearing experience will make it the ultimate one watch collection? Surely Royce has thought about this.
Conclusions
This is a watch that really cough my eye and I am so glad to have spent time it. There are other version available for the Somerset: a black version called Onyx, the punchy green Clover, the Red or Vermillion and the Blue Lagoon, I still think our Moon version is the keeper.
The price where Tennet operates is also something to highlight. The Somerset with all these premium specifications, costs 965 GBP regardless of the colour. That price alone to me is an opportunity to own a unique design watch with attention to detail and a great movement, it is a no brainer, hence is on my list.
If you are looking for a watch that can do almost everything in terms of performance and style, the Somerset should be high up on your list. It will not disappoint, and it is a conversation starter. Among watch enthusiasts, this watch is well know and it will not be confused with a Submariner or a Speedmaster, it is its own thing. There is where I see the true value: uniqueness. What a watch.
The Somerset set is currently available and for more information visit here:
Technical Specifications
CASE
Material: 316L Stainless Steel
Size: 38mm
Lug to lug: 46mm
Lug size: 20mm
Thickness (excluding crystal): 9.5mm
Water Resistance: 200m/ 20ATM
Crown: Push-pull crown
DIAL
Index at 12 o'clock: with Swiss Superluminova
Hands: with Swiss Superluminova
Lens: Sapphire crystal with 5-6 layers of Anti-Reflective coating
CASEBACK
Screw-in caseback with Sapphire crystal
MOVEMENT
Sellita SW210-1b D4
Mechanism: Hand winding
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Accuracy: +/-12 sec/day up, to +/- 30 sec/day
Comments