Rotary Regent GB05415-04 Review
History
Rotary Regent is one of the latest watch designs released from the Rotary Watch Company LTD. This watch and the technology used to build it is along way from the original watches made in La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland. A famous region of Switzerland that is world famous for watch making and rightly so, some of the biggest watch brands in the world still make their beautiful luxurious timepieces in the the region.
Established in 1895 by Moise Dreyfuss the company stayed in the family for generations until it was sold to Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Group Limited in 2014.
Rotary the watchmaking goliath has been shipping watches to the UK since the 1920’s thanks to Georges and Sylvain Dreyfuss. And in the 1940’s the company became the official supplier to the British Arm solidifying it’s postion as one of the biggest brands of it’s era in the UK.
Demand for Rotary watches has never been stronger today with some fine releases such as the Rotary Super 7 Scuba.
Case & Bracelet
Rotary Regent is sometimes referred to as the Rotary Regent Oak and its clear to see why! Inspiration for the watch had clearly been taken from the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. This is not necessarily a bad thing as most of us will never be able to afford such a watch, but may like the form factor.
The 40mm case is well done and is a perfect watch for collectors who like to photograph their watches. It’s stainless steel case and bracelet is well-done and really draws the eye. The case and bracelet are further enhanced by the highly polished edges and center links of the bracelet. Finishing the bracelet is an excellent folding clasp signed Regent. The open caseback offers a view of the 8N24 movement inside the watch.
On the wrist the watch is comfortable and has a very nice proflie. One thing of note is on occasion the bracelet is a little hair puller, anyone who owns similar watches like the Timex Q Reissue will know what I’m talking about.
Dial
A minimal dial has been used on the Rotary Regent GB05415/04 to give the skeleton style look. The black and white dial with highly polished stainless steel applied indexes and hands offer a great foreground to the backdrop of the movement. There is however, legibility issues with the watch due to the view to the movement. In low lighting conditions the super luminova offers improved legibility as the skeleton dial fades.
Movement
The movement visible though the dial is an 8xxx series movement. It’s a capable movement with a 42 hour power reserve and is easily serviced or replaced.
Watch Gallery
Packaging
Rotary Regent is packaged really nicely and I enjoyed the feel and quality. Racing green with the Rotary logo on the top. A nice touch is on the base box, the inner has the words “Icon of British Design” as you pull it apart to reveal the watch.
Specification
Miyota 8xxx series Automatic Movement
Material : Stainless Steel
Crystal Type: Sapphire Crystal
Dial Colour: Black
Bracelet: Integrated 361L Stainless Steel
Water resistance: 10 ATM/ 100M
Warranty: 2 Years International
Final Thoughts
All in all you don’t find many Genta-styled watch cases in this price range and personally I think Rotary Regent is a triumph at it’s price point given that the watch is £329. But have a look around I’ve see it for £270 at retail locations and online.
The few issues I have with the watch are minor even the legibility issues are only a problem at a glance and can be address by repositioning of the wrist. I would have preferred a better movement such as the 9xxx series Miyota but would the watch look the same!
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