Anordain Model 2 Fumé

The Allure of the Scottish Enamel

In the world of luxury watches, we often talk about 'soul.' Usually, this is marketing shorthand for 'expensive history.' But with anOrdain, the soul is visible on the surface. The Model 2 Fumé is not just a time-telling device; it is a chemistry experiment frozen in time. Vitreous enamel involves fusing ground glass to a metal base at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Celsius. The 'Fumé' effect—a gradient that darkens toward the edges—is notoriously difficult to achieve because the thickness of the glass must be perfectly manipulated to change how light reflects off the silver blank beneath.

When I first strapped the Model 2 to my wrist, the dial was the first thing that demanded attention. In the Scottish Highland Green variant I tested, the center of the dial is a vibrant, translucent emerald that fades into a near-black forest green at the periphery. Because these are handmade, no two dials are identical. There are tiny imperfections—minuscule bubbles or 'pinholes'—that are only visible under a 10x loupe. To the naked eye, it is pure, liquid depth.

The Case: Proportions and Protection

One of the most frequent questions I receive at Vivir is regarding the 36mm case size. In an era of 42mm 'statement' pieces, 36mm can sound diminutive. However, the Model 2 utilizes its geometry to punch above its weight. The lug-to-lug distance of 43mm is the magic number here. It ensures that the watch stays planted on the wrist, but the thickness of the lugs and the unique crown guards give it a muscularity that 34mm or 35mm vintage pieces lack.

The crown guards are particularly noteworthy. They are not separate components but are integrated into the case flow, resembling the 'ears' of a Patek Philippe Nautilus but in a more rugged, industrial execution. They protect the crown from snags during daily activity—whether that's reaching into a laptop bag or navigating a crowded subway. The entire case is brushed, which is a brilliant choice for a daily wearer. Polished surfaces are scratch magnets; the brushed finish on the Model 2 hides the micro-abrasions of daily life with grace.

Daily Wear: A Week on the Wrist

My week with the Model 2 took me from the office to a weekend hike in the Catskills. On Monday, paired with a charcoal blazer, the watch was a sophisticated companion. The lack of a date window creates a symmetrical, serene aesthetic that mimics the simplicity of a dress watch. The skeletonized hands are a stroke of genius; they allow you to see as much of that glorious enamel as possible while still providing enough contrast for legibility.

However, the lack of lume is a factor to consider. If you are the type of person who needs to check the time at 3:00 AM in a dark bedroom, the Model 2 will fail you. But for the sophisticated collector, this is a fair trade-off for the purity of the dial. By Wednesday, I had stopped worrying about the 'fragility' of the enamel. The sapphire crystal is thick and slightly domed, providing a protective canopy. The 50 meters of water resistance meant I didn't have to panic during a sudden downpour, though I wouldn't recommend taking this on a dive.

The Movement: Reliable Simplicity

Inside beats the Sellita SW210-1. Some critics argue that for a watch at this price point, one might expect a more 'prestigious' movement. I disagree. For a daily wearer, the SW210-1 is the perfect choice. It is a manual-wind caliber, which creates a morning ritual of winding that connects the wearer to the machine. More importantly, it is thin. An automatic rotor would have added 2-3mm to the case thickness, ruining the sleek profile that makes the Model 2 so comfortable.

Winding the watch is a tactile pleasure. The crown is sized well for the case, providing enough grip without digging into the back of the hand. The 'click' of the winding mechanism is audible and satisfying, a reminder of the mechanical heart beating beneath the glass.

The Investment Reality

We must address the elephant in the room: availability. anOrdain has become a victim of its own success. Their production capacity is limited by the number of master enamelers they can train. As of this writing, the waitlist extends into years. This has caused secondary market prices to skyrocket. While the MSRP is roughly $2,300, you will often see these trading for $4,000 or more on enthusiast forums.

Is it worth the markup? If you value the 'human touch,' yes. In a world of mass-produced luxury, the Model 2 Fumé is a reminder that some things cannot be rushed. It is a piece of art that you can wear to the grocery store. It is durable, legible, and aesthetically peerless in its category.

Final Verdict

The anOrdain Model 2 Fumé is a triumph of modern independent watchmaking. It ignores the trends of oversized cases and over-complicated movements in favor of color, texture, and wearability. It is a watch for the collector who has moved past brand names and into the realm of craftsmanship. It survived my week of daily wear not just by remaining unscathed, but by making every glance at my wrist feel like a visit to a gallery.