Here,as promised is my review on these fantastic watches.....
After having be given the task of designing some earlier watches by Ventura,Hannes Wettstein was again called on to pen a new watch to fit the ven 03/04 range of modules. The design was to incorporate the new scroll wheel ,which controls all the watch functions. The need to protect the wheel from damage , saw it being set into the case on a curve which reduces its exposure and angles the case towards the wearer. Simple and ingenious.
It has been a few years now since Mr Wettstein passed away,leaving his design team to build on the iconic design of the Alpha 1 with a better MK 2 version............................................................................................................................................................................................................
DESIGN.
The Alpha 1 is so simple and fuss free in its design ,with its angled screen classic lines and sharp defined edges its so beautiful it could have been released yesterday.Using top quality materials it is totally devoid of any elements which would ruin its simplistic form.The pressure was on Hannes Wettsteins studio to raise the bar with its replacement.
The Alpha 2 is larger,has sloped sides, a different lug style,larger crystal which now covers the entire lower part of the watch. It has the new ven10 module which has larger time display with a smaller font for the date and additional functions. While both use the same font ,the display on the Alpha 1 despite being smaller in size ,is the slicker,more professional looking.The display looks sharper defined,with almost no visible gaps between the segments.
The Alpha 2 has a more block like appearance,and looks unbalanced with its off set display which leaves an unused blank part to the left of the screen.By using the 24 hr display it fills this up better.It does however have a slightly "child" like look to it, with its elongated numerals.
QUALITY.
Both have sapphire crystals,durinox hardened stainless steel cases,however the Alpha 1 has a silky brushed finish while the 2 has a matte sand blasted case not unlike titanium in appearance. However if you do scratch this matte finish enough, it will show a shiny steel scratch which may be difficult and expensive to repair.........
Quality of assembly in both are very high ,but the Alpha 1 looks the better executed with tighter fitting lines, it has a more precision feel to it.
VALUE.
Both are expensive,the alpha 1 is now completley sold out with the limited edition black version having just been removed from Venturas web site.
Its always a personal choice regarding what you feel is value for money,but since the Alpha1 is so sought after, if you can still find one at its original cost it would be some thing of a bargain.
DESIRABILITY.
The Alpha 2 is larger which may mean its better for the larger wrist,it has the newer module which has some small differences. Both have huge wrist presence and are very desirable.
Hannes Wettstein studios have made a brave attempt at improving the Alpha1.However ,i feel that they have simply embellished the design, which was IMO pretty much perfect in the first place.The fact that the Alpha 1 looks and feels the higher quality watch ,has a timeless design and is so coveted among the watch and design world, its easy to see that it will be remembered long after the Alpha 2 is forgotten.......................................................
Alpha 1 W15R1.jpg
Ventura v-tec Alpha 2.jpg
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