Hands-On: the Slomo Glance

First impressions leave a lasting mark, which is why packaging can matter so much. I don’t typically start a hands-on article by discussing packaging, but with the Slomo Glance, it really got things off to a good start. The box is a simple, natural-colored craft paper-wrapped card/heavy stock with a simple black print, which I love. So much, in fact, that the strap boxes for our Model 2s have been made this same way for several years. Regardless, the box, which is several inches long, a few inches wide, and just a hair over one inch thick, features the brand’s logo in large print spanning most of the box’s length, with the central, extended O split down the middle.

Though there are no instructions on the box, the design is intuitive and clearly opens by sliding these apparent covers off to expose the inside. As you begin to slide the covers off, you are treated to a pleasant graphic surprise: the inner box has lines that align with the O, creating the illusion that it is being stretched as you pull the covers. Additionally, text appears saying “hurry up and slow down.” It’s fun and clever, making you excited for what you’ll find. With the outer covers off, a new cover is revealed and lifted by a black ribbon, finally exposing the watch within. I’ll get to the rest in a bit…

It doesn’t happen that often anymore, but sometimes I just see a new watch by a new brand, think it’s cool, and say, “Hey, can you send one over?” Something about the watch just catches my eye, and I want a closer look. That’s what happened with the Glance from Slomo, a new brand out of Toronto, Canada. There’s just something a bit different about it that, combined with an approachable price tag, reminded me of the early days of microbrands.

The Glance is a design-driven watch that doesn’t try to fit into any specific category. It’s sporty and modern, but its design philosophy is rooted in legibility. As the name suggests, it’s a watch that is meant to be read at a glance, and many of the dial elements are designed with that goal in mind. A section watch rather than a sector watch, each hour of the dial features a closed wedge in which a large, cast-lume Arabic numeral lies.

This shifts the hour markers over from where they are typically found, and as weird as that might sound, it also makes a lot of sense. The standard alignment marks the beginning of the hour; this alignment marks the totality of the hour. As such, when the hour hand is within the wedge, you know quite clearly what time it is. I believe I’ve seen a similar design on a clock meant for teaching children how to read the time, which makes sense, as it’s intuitive. With that said, as a time-telling adult, I don’t need the assistance, but the legibility it brings can’t be argued with either.

Continuing the theme, the hour and minute hands feature half-skeletonized designs to minimize blocking the dial. The other half then features lume fill, obviously for visibility in the dark, which, thanks to the cast lume numerals, is quite high. Finally, you have quite a unique and clever second hand of sorts. Rather than a traditional hand, a small disk covers the central pinion and features the brand’s elongated O logo. As it rotates, it goes in and out of alignment with the rest of the logo printed on the dial. It’s a nice way of bringing the motion a second hand instills, while eliminating the distraction it can create.

The Glance is available in three colors: blue, brown, and green, with the latter being seen in this review. The blue and the green both feature black dials, with the color coming from an applied chapter ring that includes the section grid and the minute hand. As a fan of “built” dials, I like this approach to the dial construction as the applied grid, along with the cast numerals, adds depth and texture. There is an additional minute index printed along the outer edge of the applied grid, with numerals at intervals of five and hash marks in between. The color chosen for the index is a shade of green that is only a touch brighter than the grid below. Given the emphasis elsewhere on legibility, this element is surprisingly low contrast.

The steel case measures 39mm x 46mm x 11mm with the sapphire crystal, making it a nice medium size that will fit a wide range of wrists. It’s fully brushed and has a fairly classic three-piece design with tapering lugs. To make it stand out, Slomo skeletonized the lugs from the top down, making them appear as outlines. This definitely makes them different, though I’m not quite sure if it really adds anything to the watch. On the wrist, you just see your skin below, and since it’s a bit odd, it actually draws your eye away from the dial. Additionally, there are shallow, milled slots on the case sides. These are a more effective design element as they split up the flat surfaces, making the mid-case read a bit thinner.

Lastly, the Glance comes with an O-link bracelet (think H-link, but with rounded center links), which brings me back to the packaging. Once you have fully opened the box, you’ll find the watch and bracelet separated, each nestled in form-fitting compartments. There are also some printed instructions that, paraphrased, say to wind it, set it, and then attach the bracelet. The bracelet uses quick-release pins, so that part is easy enough, but the instructions skip one very important step: sizing the bracelet.

And this is where things hit a bit of a roadblock, as the links feature double-sided screws. Of all of the types of links, I find these the most difficult to deal with. Turn one side, and the other turns as well, so you need two screwdrivers (which are supplied), one to brace, the other to turn, but that sounds a lot easier to do than it is. It’s very easy to slip, scratching your bracelet, or stabbing yourself in the finger, not to mention potentially stripping a screw.

So the best method is to put one screwdriver into a table vice for bracing, and then turn with the other, if you happen to have a vice handy. And if you’re able to do it, which is a process that needs to be repeated at least four times, then you have to do the reverse, which is easier, but has the same risks. Hopefully, you get the sizing right on the first try, too.

Basically, it’s the opposite of the intuitiveness that the dial and packaging propose. As this feels like a watch that people just getting into the hobby are more likely to be drawn to, the bracelet could be a real issue for them. I was able to do it, but I’ve sized more bracelets than I care to count. Single-sided screws would have made this process much easier. Griping over, the bracelet itself, once attached, does look nice. It’s fairly substantial, too, adding a quality feel. The clasp, in particular, is very nicely machined and includes micro-adjust. My only issue is that the links don’t allow for much flexibility, so it ends up feeling more like a cuff than a chain.

The Glance is powered by a Miyota 9039, and is priced at $685. Considering the movement, bracelet, and cast lume numerals, that price is more than reasonable. Slomo is off to a good start. There’s some room for improvement, but there’s cleverness at play that excites me. The Glance is one of those fun, quirky watches that should always stand out in a collection, and, as I said before, it sort of reminds me of an earlier day of micro-brands. A day when brands weren’t trying to be quite so refined, and were maybe having a little more fun. Slomo Watches