At Waha, we love watches and brands with a cool story behind them. It doesn’t matter if it’s history or design inspiration, if it’s original, we’re interested. This piece from Sweden, the Alato Arvet, is one such example.
How I came across it
I have a WIS friend from the US who usually steers clear of Kickstarter projects. Let’s face it, crowdfunding watch projects rarely make the cut. So when he backed one, I knew there had to be a compelling reason. Naturally, I had to check it out myself.
First impressions
When I got my hands on a prototype of the Arvet, I was instantly impressed by its build quality and finishing. It may not be as razor-sharp as some top-tier watches, but at a fraction of the price, it’s incredibly hard to beat.
The depth of the dial, the complexity of the case, and the sturdiness of the bracelet on the Arvet immediately suggest a superbly crafted everyday watch. And that’s what I believe it is. Let’s take it one step at a time, though.
Inspirations and twists
Pierre, the founder of Alato and designer of the Arvet, has a background in engineering and architecture, and this definitely shows in every part of the Arvet.
The Arvet’s unique design draws inspiration from the fascinating Reuleaux triangle, a shape crafted by 19th-century German engineer Franz Reuleaux, known as the father of kinematics. While Reuleaux’s groundbreaking work in mathematics and physics is a tale worth telling in full, I’ll admit those subjects aren’t my strong suit.
In simple terms, the Reuleaux triangle is an equilateral triangle with rounded sides, notable for its constant width when in motion. This geometric marvel has intrigued engineers and architects alike, with its clever properties making it a key component in various mechanisms.
Pierre’s studies of Gothic architecture revealed the occasional use of similar shapes, indicating that the Reuleaux triangle has a longer history than one might expect, though its mechanical applications truly began with Franz Reuleaux.
Interestingly, the Arvet watch doesn’t feature the Reuleaux triangle directly. Instead, Pierre’s design inverts the shape.
Look closely at the watch’s markers and rotor, and you’ll see the innovative transformation: convex sides become concave, and sharp vertexes are rounded. This inversion results in a sleek, original design that stands out in the world of horology.
The case
The Arvet’s case design draws inspiration from the elegant styles of 1960s watches, particularly the late 1960s Grand Seiko models, like the iconic 44GS. The large, polished facets and brushed center surface are reminiscent of that era, but with a modern twist.
While the design cues are similar, the Arvet is far from a copy. Its lugs are more elongated and streamlined than those found on the 44GS and its derivatives.
The inner edges of the lugs flow into claw-like protrusions that touch the bezel, a feature seen in some 1950s and 1960s watches. Personally, it reminds me of my 1962 Tissot Seastar, which shares a similar design element.
Speaking of Tissot, the Arvet’s crown brings to mind my 1951 Tissot bumper automatic. Though not identical, the crown design offers a similar functional grip for setting, while deviating from the traditional coin pattern for a more unique look.
The Arvet’s lugs are designed to complement the solid end links of its bracelet, yet they also accommodate a strap if you want to experiment with different styles. The drilled lugs and well-positioned spring bars ensure the watch maintains a sleek appearance, even on a strap.
Adding to its vintage charm, the Arvet features a box-dome sapphire crystal. While not as pronounced as the one on the Glycine Airman No.1, it imparts a nostalgic warmth to the watch’s overall aesthetic.
The bracelet
The Arvet comes on an H-link bracelet held together by screws, with solid end links and a fully milled clasp with twin-trigger release and on-the-fly microadjustment.
I’ll put it this way: it’s the best bracelet I’ve handled in quite a while. With the form of the Arvet, many brands would have gone for a horrid contraption that a butterfly clasp is.
But not Pierre and Alato. After chatting with Pierre, I was pleasantly surprised by his thoughtful approach. While the Arvet is designed to look stunning, Pierre prioritizes wearability, adjustability, and comfort above all. That’s why the Arvet features a clasp that many watch enthusiasts would love to see on more timepieces—offering both killer looks and exceptional comfort.
Summer is the season when an on-the-fly adjustment feature in a clasp truly shines. During my time with the Arvet, I’ve found this feature invaluable.
Whether it’s transitioning from a cool morning to a scorching afternoon or stepping from the outdoor heat into my air-conditioned office, the significant temperature changes cause my wrist to expand and contract. Thanks to the Arvet’s easy-to-use adjustment feature, I can effortlessly compensate for these shifts, ensuring the bracelet always fits perfectly like a glove.
I could sing its praises endlessly, but let me sum it up succinctly: damn well done!
I have two points about the bracelet that I believe could use some refinement. First, the end links. The fit and finish are superb, seamlessly integrating into the lugs. However, they are male end links, which might be an issue for those with smaller wrists—around 6.5 inches in circumference—as they might find the end links slightly overhanging. On my wrist, just under 7 inches, they’re fine, but even I would prefer female end links for a more tailored fit.
The second point is the sharpness of the bracelet edges. While the edge between the top surface and the side needs to be sharp, the edge between the bottom surface and the side should definitely be softened a bit. It’s something you can get used to, as I did, but I would recommend this change for enhanced comfort.
Overall, the engineering and wearability of this bracelet showcase a level of thoughtfulness that many manufacturers overlook. Kudos to Alato for getting their priorities right.
The dial and hands
Cue Mike Oldfield’s “Tricks of the Light, the Arvet’s dial is full of captivating details, making it easily the most intriguing one I’ve encountered since the Longines Spirit.
While photos of the Arvet provide a glimpse of its allure, seeing it in person is truly breathtaking. The dial combines three different textures, creating a stunning three-dimensional effect. The way various types of light play off it from different angles ensures it stands out beautifully in any lighting condition.
I can’t speak for the black and dark blue variants of the Arvet, but the burgundy version truly makes the dial finishing shine.
This is especially true for the central portion of the dial, which features a mesmerizing inverted guilloche pattern. The way it catches the light creates a stunning visual shift, transforming from dark red to a rich, metallic plum reddish-purple.
The pattern itself is hypnotic, sometimes resembling a turbine and other times a series of intersecting and overlapping circles. It’s so captivating that I often find myself lost in its beauty, forgetting I originally looked at the watch to check the time.
The area surrounding the center of the dial is raised and adorned with a pattern of concentric circles, reminiscent of the seconds subdials found on watches from the 1930s to late 1950s. More recently, it brings to mind the Omega De Ville Hour Vision from the mid-2000s—a design element I adored then and still do now.
Completing the dial’s three-dimensionality is the outermost ring, featuring a rough-grain, asphalt-like texture with raised and lacquered minute markers. This adds depth and character to the overall look.
The hands of the Arvet complement the inverted Reuleaux markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 perfectly. They share a resemblance to the style used by F.P. Journe, though are not identical.
My only minor critique would be the minute hand. In low light, the lume at the tip isn’t quite strong enough, making the minute hand look too similar to the hour hand due to their nearly identical widths at the narrowest point.
Speaking of lume, the hands and applied hour markers are generously filled with BGW9-grade Super-LumiNova. This charges quickly and provides a solid glow, though perhaps not the strongest I’ve encountered, but it performs well.
The only downside to the Arvet’s nighttime legibility is the aforementioned minute hand issue. Addressing this small concern would undoubtedly enhance the watch’s practicality.
The movement
The Alato Arvet is powered by the Miyota 9039. It’s a tried and tested generic movement with overall good specs and performance. Considering that it operates at a frequency of 28800 A/h, it responds well to fine-tuning, and with a power reserve of 42 hours, it can be considered a more affordable alternative to the ETA 2892/Sellita SW300.
The one in the specimen reviewed ran at around the +5 seconds per day mark, which is more than alright.
Visually, the Miyota 9039 is more appealing than the commonly used Seiko NH35, which is a popular choice among microbrands. However, it does fall short of the NH35 in terms of automatic winding efficiency.
The Miyota 9-series features a unidirectional rotor, which is well-engineered and much quieter than the Valjoux 775X series, the second most common unidirectional rotor movement on the market.
Its sound and feel are comparable to the ETA 2824, 2892, and their clones. Nevertheless, it takes a bit longer to reach its peak power reserve compared to the NH35 and the more prevalent ETA/Sellita calibers.
Alato added a unique touch to the Arvet’s 9039 with a custom rotor. This special feature showcases the inverted Reuleaux triangle design, with the visible part cut out to highlight this motif. The outermost part of the rotor is concealed by the case back, creating the illusion that the rotor is entirely in that distinctive shape. The rotor is adorned with a pattern similar to the central portion of the dial, beautifully tying together the back and front of the watch.
And here’s a fun twist: the tips of the rotor feature small strips of BGW9 lume.
As Pierre charmingly called it, this is a “gimmick” that serves no practical purpose—except for sheer enjoyment. When charged with a flashlight or UV lamp, the rotor creates a playful light show as it spins. It’s a light-hearted and delightful detail that I thoroughly enjoyed. After all, who doesn’t appreciate a dynamic lightshow? It certainly added to my enjoyment of the watch.
So, what’s the verdict?
The Alato Arvet is a great „allround” or GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) watch. Its intricate details are mesmerizing, making it hard to take your eyes off it. This watch effortlessly transitions from dressy occasions to an active seaside holiday, exuding both cheerfulness and elegance.
Despite its sophisticated design, the Arvet is practical and robust, powered by a reliable and accurate movement. With a water resistance of 100 meters, thanks to its screw-down crown, it’s ready for almost any adventure—except diving, but that’s not its purpose anyway.
Remember, the watch reviewed is a prototype. I’m incredibly impressed with Pierre’s approach—gathering feedback, taking it seriously, and using it to refine the product as much as possible before its release. It’s a level of consideration I wish more established brands would emulate.
Exciting news: The Arvet, which went into production on the first of July with deliveries planned for October, will feature several improvements based on feedback, including ones consistent with my own observations.
The minute hand will be wider, and the lug-to-lug distance will increase from 45mm to 46mm to accommodate female end links for the bracelet. This adjustment will also reduce the gap between the bezel and the end link, creating more space for various straps.
Additionally, Alato will offer a range of their own straps—leather, NATO, and more. It looks like there will be plenty of OEM options to customize the Arvet’s appearance to your liking.
So, what do we have here? A stunning original design, exquisite and intricate finishing, combined with durability and wearing comfort.
The Arvet stands out as an affordable watch, excelling in all areas and exceeding most expectations. Regularly priced at $650, it’s now available for $499 on the website. If you join the mailing list, you get an additional 10% off your first order.
If you’re seeking a practical watch with a significant “wow factor,” the Arvet is definitely the one. After wearing the watch for over two weeks, I can tell you this: I’m going to miss it a lot.
Technical specifications
- Diameter: 38mm
- Lug-to-lug: 45mm (prototype)/46mm (production version)
- Thickness: 10.9mm (including the domed crystal)
- Lug width: 20mm
- Water resistance: 100m
- Crown: screw-down
- Crystal: box-dome sapphire with ARC on the underside
- Lume: BGW9 (blue glow) Super-LumiNova
- Bracelet: Screw-held H-link, twin-trigger clasp with on-the-fly microadjustment system
- Dial options: blue, black, burgundy (regular production) + copper/salmon limited edition
- Movement: Miyota 9039 – 24 jewels, 28800 A/h, 42h power reserve, hacking second, hand-winding functionality, custom rotor with BGW9 lume decorations
