We???ve thus far been pleased with the small selection of Davosa pieces we received here at the Watch Cave. Unfortunately, and, in a way, fortunately, the Davosa 160.394.56 aka the Mecanique, was the weakest piece of the bunch, which says a lot about Davosa as a whole.

In terms of styling, the 42mm Mecanique is ho-hum at best. Based on the Unitas 6497 movement, this watch has luminous ???techno??? spear hands with thin tips and an odd ball-and-arrow seconds register at 9 o???clock.

The watch wants to be two things – a high end aviator???s watch while still maintaining an air of staid elegance. The hands and Arabic numerals suggest Traser while the round face and bezel and clean bracelet suggest a something out of the Waltham 1939 Spring line.

The movement, needless to say, is excellent and is visible through the rear sapphire window. Davosa promises 50 meter water resistance, which I will hold them to. The lume is far sub-par. After a full charge, the Mecanique pumps out about .5 on the ???Chris-Moy-Can-Read-This-In-The-Darkened-Bathroom??? Scale.

Overall, the Mecanique is just so-so. Anyone can take a Unitas movement, stuff it into a case, and sell it. It takes some creativity, which Davosa has thus far exhibited in the other two pieces we reviewed, and intelligence to make a good watch. This has a modicum of both. It???s no sow???s ear, but a silk purse it also ain???t.

Quality: 4/5
Style: 2/5
Overall: 3/5

??? John

Check out the Davosa line here.

ByJohn Biggs

John lives in Brooklyn and has loved watches since he got his first Swatch Irony automatic in 1998. He is the editor of WristWatchReview.

3 thoughts on “Review – Davosa Mecanique”
  1. Dear John,

    I take issue with you accessment of the Davosa 160 394 – I personally see this watch as a great representation of simple design, rugged mechanicals and easy reading – at a price point that is affordable. This watch features a sapphire crystal and understated great looks.

    What more can one ask for – if you want to spend the extra money – buy the polished Pares at 4x the price… I can afford more but I chose to spendless –

    Want to jump the price – try a “Pan” at 8x the price -who wins now… I can afford to lose my 160 394 twice a year and replace it, when compared to the lose in value the up-advertised watches, using the same movement, lose in value of depreciation.

    You know that I produce my own watches and I would be proud to say that I designed the 160 394… but I only appreciate this watch, which I sell a lot of.

    Thanks for the opportunity to voice my opinion and high praise for your website.

    David Freemont McCready

  2. David,

    I appreciate the comment. As I said, Davosa is an excellent brand and this one was just the one that amazed me the least.

    As you can see, I gave it a 4/5, which ain’t half bad.

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