By Tyler Frederick
Summer is calling
As the summer draws to a close, it’s never too late to bring some “summery” vibes, and the Paulin Modul A Automatic and its vibrant yellow dial and vintage-styled case brings the heat. The first thing I thought of when seeing the dial was Ayrton Senna, the shade of yellow from his 1985 season helmet with Lotus, especially paired with the blue dial markers, but that’s my plug for a racing reference; let’s jump in.
“Our past two collections were inspired by art and architectural movements. Our Geo range paid homage to Glasgow’s own Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his decorative lettering, which was undoubtedly a precursor for the Art Deco style. Subsequently, we looked to mid-century design and Postmodernism for the Neo range.”
–Paulin Watches
Key Features of the Paulin Modul A Automatic
I’m not the type to pick bright and bold colours with a watch; most of my collection features white, black or darker colours and the occasional purple dial. The Paulin Modul A on my wrist was a nice change and made me rethink my collecting habits; it might be time to add some fun to the collection. The Modul Automatic is a new collection for Paulin but features the same bold colours and tonneau-styled case as previously used in their Quartz and Mechanical collections.
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When I put the Modul A on my wrist, the first word that came to mind was “comfort.” The watch features a stainless steel tonneau-styled case measuring 39mm in diameter, 45mm lug-to-lug, and 9.7mm thick with the boxed Hesalite crystal (7.7mm without). Its compact and cozy sizing allows the watch to sit flat against the wrist, creating a fantastic wearing experience, especially when paired with the 20mm stainless steel mesh bracelet. While other strap options are available, I strongly recommend pairing the Modul A with the mesh.
Inspired by Art Deco, Mid-Century, and Postmodernism, the yellow dial of the Modul A is bright and joyful and features a unique design reflective of the respective periods. The typography and numerals were inspired by the Dutch designer Wim Crouwel, with symmetry and legibility being the top priority. The contrast of black numerals on a yellow backdrop makes for a highly legible dial, and the contrasting blue markers paired with the bright red second hand create a colourful and fun watch without being intrusively colourful; the perfect balance of minimalism and playfulness. Powering the Modul A is the La Joux-Perret G101 Automatic.
Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 39mm Diameter 45mm Lug to Lug 9.7mm Thick /w Glass 20mm Lug Width Display Case Back 50m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Hesalite Lacquered Brass (Yellow) Printed Indices Baton Handset |
| Movement | La Joux-Perret G101 24 Jewels 28 800bph 68-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless steel Mesh |
Paulin Modul A Automatic
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Quibbles
I love the Modul A Automatic. The sizing is excellent, the feel on the wrist is great, and the colours are a superb choice, but my quibbles are more nitty-gritty. The watch would be great for daily wear, but implementing a Hesalite crystal, especially at the price point, is a giant question mark for me. Many brands at a considerably lower price point have switched to sapphire, and with the price of the Modul A ($1,389), sapphire should be used. In addition, the water resistance is on the lower side of 50m. While that doesn’t bother me, I know it’ll be something others question and a spec I deem worthy of mentioning.
Final Thoughts
The Paulin Modul A Automatic is a stunning vintage-inspired watch with great sizing, a solid movement, and a playful yet minimal design. To keep a long story short, it feels great on the wrist and looks great, too. However, I know there are some things that collectors will question: 50m of water resistance, Hesalite as opposed to sapphire. Nonetheless, it’s a gorgeous watch that I’ve enjoyed, and I know many would feel the same.
Pricing & Availability
The Paulin Modul A retails for $1389USD. For more information or to check one out for yourself, please visit Paulin.
About the author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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