WT Author is a relatively new watch company located in Shropshire, UK. If you've never heard of them, it might be because they are so new or because they make so few watches. They're not just any watches. All are made by a two-person team: designer Sam Holland and watchmaker Jon Shakespeare, and most are released in limited editions.
One such limited edition is the watch I'm reviewing today - the WT Author No 1953 White Automatic. Only 25 units were produced, and they are already sold out. However, other versions are still available, and you are likely to see a few white versions on the pre-owned market. These watches are dedicated to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Hence, they feature a mesh strap reminiscent of that era, and the watch case is designed like a crown, giving them a truly regal appearance. Here's my take on these surprisingly affordable limited edition watches.
Crown-Shaped Case
Undoubtedly, the most striking feature of the No 1953 is its two-tone case. The lower half of the 316L stainless steel case has a satin grey finish, which is, of course, quite serviceable. But the upper half is rose gold, and the bezel sits atop the lower half like an inverted crown. With a diameter of 37.5 mm, the watch is medium-sized on the wrist, with a lug-to-lug distance of 43 mm and a depth of 12.5 mm. However, the chunky two-tone design makes the watch look and feel slightly larger than it actually is. If you have a smaller wrist, this is the perfect option for a small watch with a solid size.
The case is also well-designed, with a water resistance of 100 meters. This is enough for showering or casual swimming. If it's not about diving, you won't have to worry. I also liked the sapphire crystal. It's alloyed with aluminum oxide, making it exceptionally scratch-resistant. It has a flat profile and sits flush with the bezel, so the dial is not distorted. You also won't have to worry about excessive glare. The case is also equipped with a case back featuring a similar sapphire crystal and the red WT Author logo embossed in the center.
Subdued Dial
In such an impressive case, you might expect to see a flashy or complex dial. However, WT Author showed admirable restraint. The No 1953's dial is subdued, with a pure white center and a white outer ring. The entire surface has a fine texture, but there are no other embellishments. There isn't even a noticeable logo. The only inscription is the word “Automatic,” written in very small print under the six o'clock marker.
All hour positions are marked with applied silver double hashes, with two exceptions. At the “12 o'clock” position, you'll see the WT Author logo, but since it's a red triangle, it blends with the markers. At the “three o'clock” position, the hashes have been replaced with a date window. The window displays black Arabic numerals on a white background, surrounded by a narrow silver frame. Around the outer perimeter of the dial is a minute scale with fine black markers. If you look closely, you can see Arabic numerals at each five-minute mark.
The hands are silver, perfectly matching the silver markers and nicely contrasting with the white-grey dial. They are long and triangular, with a blade-shaped profile reminiscent of a dagger. The hour hand reaches almost to the hour markers, and the minute hand reaches the outer indicator. The second hand is thinner and painted red to provide greater contrast. There is no luminescent strip. This preserves the classic aesthetic of the watch, but admittedly makes it harder to read at night.
Miyota Cal.9015 Movement
The No 1953 model is equipped with the Miyota Caliber 9015 movement. It's a mid-range automatic movement with an accuracy of 10~＋30 seconds per day. It's not too impressive, but it's enough to last the whole week without resetting. And it has a 42-hour power reserve, so you can take the watch off for the weekend without losing power. Setting the time is also simple. There is a stop-seconds function for quick adjustment if you're running fast. There's also a quick date set function for all months with less than 31 days.
Eco-Friendly Straps and Packaging
The standard bracelet is a Milanese steel mesh, which was popular in the early 1950s. This gives it an authentic and fairly dressy look, but it's cheaply made from sheet metal, as that's how mesh bracelets were made in the 1950s. Alternatively, for the No 1953, you can order a strap made from eco-friendly grown ox leather.
The packaging is also eco-friendly. Everything, even the packaging material, is recyclable. Along with the watch itself, you also get a signed print of the card with a unique serial number and a short book with photos telling the story of the watch's origin.
Pre-order prices start from £450 (USD $620). To see all WT Author offers, visit their official website.
