Erroyl Regent Nero
As many of my readers know by now, I am a dive watch guy. Rarely do I step outside the box as I am a creature of habit. Every so often, a really cool dress watch will come along that makes me take pause and at least think about stepping outside my comfort zone if only for a day or two at a time here and there. Erroyl Watches has recently released the Regent Collection and I have to admit the watch model is quite striking. Erroyl is a relatively new company based out of Australia. My colleague recently reviewed one of their first, if not their first, model which was the Heritage Royal. We discussed the first model at length privately and I came away with a firm belief that the company is “doing it right”, so to speak.
When the Regent Nero arrived, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. One of the difficulties reviewing watches from new companies is that at times the process can be a real crapshoot in regards to what is received. The good, the bad and the ugly are sometimes really difficult to distinguish and discuss at any great length. Guess what? The Regent Nero doesn’t place me in a quandary about what’s good or bad or just flat out terrible. The Regent Nero is a solid watch value and something that I would personally feel great about wearing in pretty much any situation. Is the model the perfect watch? Of course it is not perfect, but what watch really is? The Regent models retail at $415 USD for the stainless models (as being reviewed) to around $427 USD on the plated variations. You can read more about Erroyl watches in general HERE .
Specifications:
- Case: 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel
- Movement: Automatic
- Water Resistance: 10 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Strap: Italian Leather
- Price: $415.73 USD
The Erroyl Regent Nero has a really great looking case design. The case is composed of surgical grade 316L stainless steel with an almost doughnut shaped design. I admit the case design was what caught my eye almost immediately. I really enjoy when watch companies step away from a standard, boring and over-used round case. The case measures 42mm and just over 45mm including the crown. The lugs measure just under 49mm from tip to tip. I can attest with a 7 ¾ inch wrist, the size and design works well and feels right at home on the wrist, even though I tend to prefer slightly larger timepieces. The case has some heft to it as well, measuring 12mm and weighing 98 grams. Even at 12mm thick, keeping this watch tucked under a dress shirt cuff has not be much of an issue to date. I also really like the tapering lugs which add a level of sleakness to the overall design. The Regent Nero is most certainly a dress watch, however, due to the high polished finish, be prepared to keep a polishing cloth handy to wipe down fingerprints and smudges.
A 5mm signed push/pull crown is located at the 3 o’clock position on the case. I love the crown design because Erroyl opted for something other than a standard round or onion style crown. I’m unsure if the design has a specific terminology associated with it, but I am reminded of an actual crown or a jewel. While I love the crown, it also presents an area of concern. The crown is not the easiest to grasp and engage as far as comfort is concerned. Due to the shape, the crown digs a bit into the skin and can be slightly uncomfortable to operate. I can live with the discomfort though because of the departure from the norm when it comes to design.
The Erroyl Regent Nero is fitted with a flat sapphire crystal measuring slightly over 36mm diameter, which provides a very clear view of the dial due to a quality interior anti-reflective coating. The crystal is ever so slightly raised above the bezel, however, I do not believe anyone should have any concern about the crystal chipping. Beneath the sapphire crystal is an absolutely gorgeous black and white dial. The dial has some sun-ray properties, as well as a stunning concentric circle pattern in the inner black portion and white sub-dials. At first glance, the Regent Nero might be mistaken for a chronograph due to the two eye sub-dial design, but it isn’t. The sub-dials are day of the week and month of the year complications related to the automatic movement installed. I’m not a huge chronograph fan anyway, so I have to admit I appreciate the added useful complications.
Finishing off the great looking dial are applied high polished stainless steel hour markers, an added detail not found all the time on a watch in this price range. Nothing about the watch model is typical, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see the great looking dauphin style handset as well. While the watch is pretty basic in regards to black and white coloring, Erroyl had to add a touch of flair and color contrast with furnace blue sub-dial hands.
So at $415 USD, I think everyone is expecting a solid movement and Erroyl doesn’t disappoint. I have had a ton of experience with the newer Miyota 9015 automatic movement but not so much so with the Miyota 9100 series movements. The Regent Nero utilizes a Miyota 9122 automatic movement which consists of a 40 hour power reserve, month, day and numeric day complications. The 9122 also provides the same smooth beat found on the 9015 and ETA automatics which is highly preferred to the choppy nature of earlier Miyota automatics such as the 8215. These newer Miyota automatics have some nice decorative properties but I actually prefer the solid case back in this particular instance. The case back has the typical specification information about the watch etched around the perimeter, however, the stamping process is quite impressive and aesthetically appealing especially the huge logo at the center. At $415 USD I have absolutely no complaints in regards to the movement in general as many more established micro-brands are charging double. The only aspect of the Miyota 9122 that might be a bit bothersome to some is that the rotor is a bit noisy, which is typical of Miyota automatic movements in general. I have a feeling everyone interested in this model will be able to overlook the noise based on how nice everything else turned out.
Finishing off the Nero is a very nice black Italian Crazy Horse leather strap. As with most stock leather straps, it may appear a bit thin for some folks but the quality is top notch. Due to the padding, it does measure around 4mm at the thickest point. The strap is 20mm wide at the lug and tapers to 18mm near the tail. The strap will probably accommodate wrists up to 8 inches without too much difficulty, however, the biggest issue when it comes to stock straps rears its ugly head at this point. As you will see in the photos and my video, on my 7 ¾ inch wrist I’m in the third from the last hole so anyone over 8 inches will probably have to look at custom strap options. The strap length is my only serious gripe about the model that could be easily avoided. The strap is finished off with a signed dual deployant clasp. The combination of case finish, strap and clasp finish make this watch quite suitable for the executive boardroom and a night out on the town.
In summary, the Regent Nero is a solid watch value and something that I would personally feel great about wearing in pretty much any situation. At $415 USD the model is packed with tons of quality specifications from great case design, sapphire crystal, gorgeous dial, applied markers, useful complications, and a quality Miyota 9122 automatic movement. If Erroyl keeps it up, I can envision the brand achieving great success and recognition fitting in well with all the well known micro-brands around the globe. I would like to thank Erroyl for working with WatchReport.com on this review. I would like to thank each of you for reading.
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