Thorne Watch

Some watches tell the time. This one gets looked at.

Nearly everything you own is meant to blend in. One thing should not. Thorne Watch is the piece someone notices from across a table, and then asks about.

The face is cut, not printed.

The dial is a faceted starburst, wedges of light and dark running out from the centre, so it shifts as your wrist moves. Gold Roman numerals at twelve, three, six and nine, and small cut-crystal markers at every other hour.

It only needs one light.

The edge of the case is cut into flat facets all the way round, like a gemstone. One lamp, one window, one passing headlight is enough to set the whole thing going.

Five ways to wear it.

Two-Tone Blue, Silver Black, Onyx Black, Onyx Gold and Full Gold. Silver Black is the one that never argues with anything. Two-Tone Blue is the one people comment on.

The bracelet is cut too.

Not a flat strip of steel. Every link is faceted, so the light carries on down the wrist instead of stopping at the case. It closes with a folding safety clasp that snaps shut and stays shut.

41mm, and it still goes under a cuff.

Wide enough on the wrist to be the thing you are wearing, and only 11mm deep, so a shirt sleeve still closes over it.

Still readable at three in the morning.

The hands and markers hold a green glow once they have had some light, so the time is simply there when you want it, without a screen in your face.

Please note: this is a 3 bar watch, which covers rain and washing your hands but not swimming or showering, whatever the supplier listing may say. It is light for its size rather than a heavy slab of steel, and owners say so in both directions. The crown is small and worth treating gently when you set the time. The bracelet measures 22cm and is sized by removing links.