Visitor Linden
Manufacturer: Visitor Watch Co. | Price: $580 USD (£465 GBP, €520 EUR (+ VAT))
I chat to quite a number of watch reviewers on pretty much a daily basis. Mike, who writes for The Time Bum, shared one of his articles in our Instagram group and I think my initial reaction was, “who, where, erm… what the f**k is that? That’s stunning!” I’m pretty sure it was words to that effect. I think people are pretty much aware of what I’m like these days, as subtle as a f**kin’ brick! Nevertheless, Mike gave me all the details about the brand, as well as introducing me to Phil Rodenbeck, the founder of Visitor Watch Co. Cheers Mike, I owe you a pint. Anyway, I think that’s enough of my inane introductory drivel, let’s get on with the actual review of the Visitor Calligraph Linden, to give it it’s proper name… 😉
Specifications
- Dimensions: Diameter – 39.1mm, Thickness – 10.3mm, Lug to Lug – 48.2mm, Lug Width – 20mm
- Movement: Custom Miyota 9015, Automatic, 28,800vph (4Hz), Hackable, Self Winding, 42hr Power Reserve
- Case Material: Brushed & Polished 316L Stainless Steel
- Strap: Choice of Calfskin Leather, Silicone Lining, 120/80mm, Curved Lug Ends
- Crystal: Flat Sapphire, Underside Anti-Reflective Coating
- Bezel: Polished, Fixed Water Resistance: 50m / 5ATM
- Lume: Swiss Super Luminova® BGW9
- Crown: Push/Pull, 7mm, Signed
- Caseback: Screw Down, Exhibition Display
- Warranty: 2 Years Overall Weight: 72g Where to Buy: Visitor Watch Co.
- Options: Dial Colour – Midnight Black, Larkspur Blue, Amaranth Mauve, Snowfall White
- Strap Choice: Caramel, Fieldstone, Marina Blue, Oxblood, Tuxedo Black, Vintage Black, Vintage Green
Visitor Watch Co. - A Brief Introduction
Case & Crown
The case of the Visitor Calligraph Linden has an overall diameter of 39.1mm. The lug to lug is 48.2mm and the overall thickness, including the sapphire crystal, albeit flat, I measured in at a very svelte 10.3mm. The entire case, caseback, bezel and crown are all 316L stainless steel. The finishing of the Linden is by far, my favourite aspect of this dress watch. The transition between the brushed finish and the polishing is simply outstanding and it’s certainly not what you would call bog-standard basic either.
Just look at the images below and you’ll see just how bloody good the detail is of that polished chamfered edge! Anyway, moving on, dragging my digital scales out, I found that the overall weight of the Linden, on the supplied 2-piece leather strap, came in at a very nice, but not overly light, 72g.
The Linden has a water resistance rating of 50m, which is obviously down to the screw down caseback, as the crown is the expected, but perfectly acceptable for a dress watch, push/pull variety. The proportions of the watch, in my opinion, are very nice, but a word of warning for those with smaller wrists, even although the Linden is only 39mm in diameter, the lug to lug is pretty big in comparison. Over 48mm lug to lug is pretty lengthy for a 39mm watch in my opinion. #JustFYI
The signed crown is great and very nicely done with that Visitor Watch Co logo embossed into it. There is pretty much zero wobble either when the crown is in use. Flipping the watch over, you’ll see that we have an exhibition display caseback, with a sapphire crystal, that shows off this Miyota 9015 high beat movement. Not just a standard, off the shelf 9015 either, just look at it, it’s bloody gorgeous and I can easily say, and you CAN quote me on this if you like, it’s the nicest looking Miyota 9015 I’ve seen, that’s for sure! That custom rotor is f**kin’ gorgeous! I love it! Great job Visitor Watch Co.
Strap / Bracelet
The Linden comes fitted as standard with a 20mm calfskin leather strap that has a silicone lining. The length of the straps are 120/80mm, excluding the buckle. The strap itself has curved lug ends with curved spring bars. Even although I’m not really a fan of leather straps in general, the Linden would look pretty stupid without one, although at the price, I would have loved to have seen a stainless steel bracelet, even if it was a cost option. I’d always pick a bracelet first & foremost.
Movement
The chosen movement for the Visitor Linden is the smooth sweep, high beat, Miyota 9015. This is a slim Japanese made 28,800vph, 24 jewel movement with a 42hr power reserve. Checking the accuracy after running the Visitor Linden for just over a fortnight, mainly on my wrist and occasionally in my watch winder, I was extremely happy with the results, with the Linden showing an average of just +3.8spd. That’s an excellent accuracy result! I should also add, I think this is the very first time that I’ve seen a modified Miyota 9015 and very, very nice it is too, that custom rotor is just superb!
Dial & Bezel
As you can see in the images, the unique hour and minute hands are very nicely done with their fancy pen-nib inspired aesthetic. The size of the hands too are pretty much spot on, in relation to the real estate of the dial. The seconds hand is also great, with it’s lovely wee counter-balance and the tip of the needle style hand reaching right out to the minute track. There is a perfectly executed date window cut out with a lovely chamfered, borderless edge at the 3 o’clock position and yes, it’s colour matched, so you’ll know it’s going to get a huge thumbs up from me.
Oh, I forgot to mention, which I initially thought was a typo on the Visitor Watch Co website, but the dial is actually a sandwich dial. It’s not until you take a closer look at the minute track, you can see the sandwich construction as clear as day. Oh yeah, you’ll also be glad to know that the hour markers are applied and are pumped full of lume. More below…
Lume
The lume on the Visitor Linden is nothing short of f**kin’ phenomenal! It looks like it has been applied by the truck load. The actual lume that’s been applied is Swiss Super Luminova® BGW9, and whoever it was at Visitor Watch Co that made the decision to go absolutely balls to the wall with the lume on a dress watch certainly gets my respect. Most, in fact scrub that, ALL of the dress watches that I’ve reviewed in the past, the lume has been nothing short of utter shite! Visitor Watch Co have even taken it a step further and lumed not only the company logo, but they also lumed the friggin’ date!
Conclusion
Visitor Watch Co. – This is by far, without question, the nicest dress watch I’ve reviewed. Definetly one for the enthusiast!
Enjoyed the review and cool watch. When you say beware to folks with smaller wrists, that would also be me. Do you think it would wear too large on a 6.4″ wrist? Liking the Amaranth. Thanks again!