Anordain Model 3 Review: The Enamel Dial That Broke the Market
In a market saturated with mass-produced divers and sterile microbrand homages, Anordain emerged from Glasgow with a singular mission: make enamel dials accessible without sacrificing artistry. The Model 3 is their entry-level gateway, but don’t let the price tag fool you — this is a watch that punches so far above its weight it’s practically in a different weight class. For the trust-fund baby who already owns a Submariner and is bored of the Rolex allocation game, the Model 3 offers something rarer than a steel Daytona: genuine character.
The hype around Anordain has been building since their Kickstarter days, and the secondary market has taken notice. Pre-owned Model 3s are trading at or above retail, a feat almost unheard of for a microbrand under $3,000. The secret? Fumé enamel dials that shift from light to dark depending on the angle, hand-finished by a tiny workshop in Scotland. Each dial is unique, and that scarcity — combined with a clean, mid-century-inspired case — has created a cult following that shows no signs of cooling.
But is the Model 3 a genuine investment piece, or just another Instagram fad? I’ve been tracking these watches since their launch, analyzing resale data, production volumes, and collector sentiment. Here’s the full breakdown: what you’re buying, why it matters, and whether you should hold or flip.
Brand History
Founded in 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland, Anordain is the brainchild of Lewis Heath and a team of designers who wanted to bring enamel dials to a wider audience. Unlike most microbrands that source everything from Asia, Anordain invested in a dedicated enamel workshop in Scotland, where dials are hand-fired and finished in small batches. The Model 3, released in 2020, is their most focused design — a simple time-only watch that lets the dial do the talking.
Movement
Inside the Model 3 beats a Sellita SW200-1, a Swiss automatic movement based on the ETA 2824-2. It’s not in-house, not COSC-certified, and not heavily decorated — but it’s reliable, easy to service, and keeps reasonable time. The rotor has a custom Anordain engraving, and the bridges show basic perlage, but don’t expect haute horlogerie finishing. At this price point, the movement is a means to an end: the dial is the star.
Specs & Dimensions
The case is 38mm wide, 10.5mm thick, and 45mm lug-to-lug — vintage proportions that wear beautifully on most wrists. The case is fully polished 316L stainless steel with a slim bezel that maximizes dial real estate. A domed sapphire crystal with double-sided AR coating protects the enamel. Water resistance is 50 meters, enough for hand washing but not swimming. The leather strap is the weakest link — it’s okay for the price, but most owners swap it for a suede or NATO strap immediately.
Wrist Feel & Daily Wear
On the wrist, the Model 3 disappears. At 38mm, it’s small by modern standards, but the thin case and short lugs make it wear like a vintage Omega or a Nomos. It’s light, comfortable, and slips under a cuff with ease. The real magic is the dial: the fumé gradient catches light differently every time you move your wrist, shifting from deep blue to almost black. It’s subtle enough for formal occasions but interesting enough for daily wear.
Accuracy
In my testing, the Model 3 ran at about +8 seconds per day, well within the Sellita’s spec. It’s not a chronometer, but for a dress watch, it’s perfectly acceptable. If you’re neurotic about accuracy, a quick regulation at your local watchmaker will get it to within a few seconds.
Investment Value
Here’s where things get interesting. The Model 3 retails for $1,850, but pre-owned examples in good condition regularly sell for $1,900–$2,400. Limited-edition dials like the salmon fumé have hit $3,000+ in private sales. Production is limited — Anordain makes only a few hundred watches per year — and demand consistently outstrips supply. This is one of the few microbrands where you can buy at retail and sell at a profit. My recommendation: hold. The brand is still young, and as collector awareness grows, these early models will become increasingly sought after.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Unique enamel dial at an accessible price, excellent vintage proportions, strong resale value, Scottish heritage adds authenticity.
Cons: Standard movement, low water resistance, long wait times for new orders, strap is mediocre.
Final Verdict
The Anordain Model 3 is a watch that understands its priorities. The dial is the hero, and everything else is a supporting actor. For the collector who values craftsmanship over brand prestige, it’s a no-brainer. It’s not a tool watch, it’s not a status symbol — it’s a piece of wearable art that happens to tell time. And in a market obsessed with flipping and hype, that’s refreshing.
