What We Know
Amida keeps finding new ways to update and reinvent the classic Digitrend driving watch. When we last heard from the brand, they had fashioned a model inspired by the NASA space shuttle missions, a timepiece that demonstrated the range of design and development possibilities of the Digitrend format, which first debuted in the pre-shuttle era way back in 1976 at Basel.
Now, it seems, Amida has seen the light. Or rather, it’s seen the way to add luminescence material to an open-worked version of the digital jump hour timepiece with the Digitrend OSII Black. Featuring an open sapphire hood showing the DLC-coated workings of the movement and Amida’s in-house developed jump hour module, the new model uses an LRD or ‘light reflecting display’ utilizing prismatic technology that illuminates the digital numerals via Super-LumiNova, for the first time.
The Digitrend has never been a watch for everyone. It’s quirky, and its time-reading display is unusual, to say the least. But the addition of lume certainly adds to its functionality and represents a welcome upgrade for this new edition that is limited to 150 pieces and goes on sale today on Amida’s website.
The brand and co-founder Matthieu Allègre say the ongoing improvements, revisions, and tweaks to the Digitrend model line shouldn’t be seen as merely more refined or robust versions of the original. Rather, they’re designing and producing the model as it would have evolved had the original brand not been among the hundreds of Swiss watchmakers that ceased production in the 1980s as the Quartz Crisis and punishingly strong Swiss franc upended the industry.
There’s more than just lume that’s new here. Amida says the sapphire hood has been reworked and formed from a single piece of material to better allow light to flood in and charge the lumed elements.
There are also changes to the movement display with some tweaks to the architecture and a new black DLC coating that shows off the unique design. There are luminous elements visible through the hood – or fastback display, as some call it – with the hours and minutes illuminating under charge.
The color scheme of the movement elements has been changed from the previous display versions. It’s more toned down now, with orange-engraved accents that highlight the white lumed numbers that were previously orange. In total, it gives the piece a more refined look and feel. The Digitrend OSII Black is priced at CHF 5,150 on an Alcantara strap and CHF 5,500 on a steel bracelet.
The same movement, a Soprod Newton P024, with an in-house-designed jump-hour module from Amida, powers the automatic watch and provides a rather meager 38 hours of power reserve. The watch is still water-resistant to 50 meters or 5 ATM.
The steel and sapphire case has the same 39mm by 39.6mm proportions and remains a beefy 15.6mm thick. While it’s not a watch for everyone, just about anyone could wear it (if they find the avant-garde design fetching), as the 39mm lug-to-lug measurement makes it eminently wearable across a wide range of wrist sizes.
What We Think
The Digitrend has always been a fun watch, and the introduction of functional lume just adds to the bonhomie. The unusual and technically interesting mirrored or prismatic time display is what makes it stand out. It’s still more challenging to read than a traditional display, but now the wearer can read it at night while at the wheel of their chosen whip, and the OSII will hopefully function in tandem with the dashboard’s illuminated display.
Priced at about five and a half thousand Swiss francs on the metal bracelet, it isn’t a true value proposition but rather reflects the unique elements of a quality Swiss-made watch with its own distinct construction, produced in limited quantities. From the proprietary jump-hour module to the intriguing visual trick of the display, this is a singular design that’s been enhanced and improved for the modern wearer. As the brand says, it’s continuing the work here, bringing the original design forward and into the future. And if you’re a fan of the Digitrend, this is most certainly the most refined and functional version yet.
The Basics
Brand: Amida
Model: Digitrend OSII
Reference Number: LRD-05-Noir
Diameter: 39.6mm x 39.0 mm
Thickness: 15.6mm
Case Material: 316L stainless steel, sapphire hood
Dial Color: Black
Lume: BGW9 Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Alcantara textile or steel
The Movement
Caliber: Soprod Newton P024 with internally developed jump hour module
Functions: Jump hour, rotating minutes
Power Reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Self-winding automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz / 28 800 VpH
Jewels: 25
Chronometer Certified: No.
Additional Details: Light reflecting display
Pricing & Availability
Price: CHF 5,150 on alcantara bracelet, CHF 5,500 steel bracelet
Availability: Online order available immediately
Limited Edition: Yes, limited to 150 pieces
For more, click here.
