This sale Stowa Antea 1919 is my first Stowa.
Now, anytime I say it’s my first of a common brand you have to put that into perspective. It’s been looked at many times and forgotten. Respected, but forgotten.
This watch has a “specificity”, for lack of a better term, that makes it special.
The dial printing alone is very, very interesting to me. It’s so good that now I’m aware of this whole new frontier for micros. But Stowa is there and that’s special.
The lugs appear to be connected to the case with near perfection. I say near because I can’t speak in absolutes. It looks perfect to me. Compare to a $1800 micro diver we’ve all seen and it’s a bit embarrassing. Like super-freaking-embarrassing. These lugs are formed and applied perfectly to my eye.
Proportions: lugs are long but if you can rock them, this will feel like a small watch. I love the dimensions, but I have a 7.5” wrist. It feels small, and good.
Strap is perfect. I will enjoy trying to find a NATO worthy of this watch.
The watch is still on sale. Think about it. And if you get one, don’t be me and get the base movement. I’m kicking myself because I didn’t know the watch was this good.
Edit - oh, and when you see and feel “flush” at the crystal/bezel interface, you will see even more quality. It’s tight.
