Tyler Frederick
Italian by design
Not sure if you can relate, but when I’m expecting a package, I go into a complete state of task paralysis and can’t continue anything until said package is delivered. It’s even worse when it’s a package from a new brand giving me the opportunity to check out their latest release, especially when it’s a design I really like. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with the folks from RETROVIVO, a watch brand based in Italy that started this year. After a few DMs, I was told I’d be receiving the RV01 in Black, and I couldn’t wait.
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Key Features of the RETROVIVO RV01:
Kickstarter origins
I’m a big advocate for microbrands, and I’m an even bigger advocate for transparency when it comes to a brand’s story. RETROVIVO is as new as of March of this year, and after three previous Kickstarter campaigns, a fourth successful campaign would realize the dream of RETROVIVO founder Giuseppe Bua by starting a watch brand that not only looks fantastic but is also at an attainable price point for all collectors, without skimping on design or overall functionality.
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“We believe good design and quality shouldn’t be a luxury for the few” – Giuseppe Bua, Founder of RETROVIVO
Perfect proportions
The RV01 was a pleasant surprise when seeing the first images on Instagram, with the blend of modern and vintage design cues. However, once it was in hand, that was a whole different story. The 39mm case is perfectly proportioned, and the 9.5mm thickness, along with the 46mm height and curvature of the lugs, allows for an incredible and almost seamless wearing experience. The RV01 is a great example of a watch that would make an excellent daily wear and one that dresses up and down very easily. Casual or dressy, it’ll look great on your wrist,
especially considering the watch comes with a NATO strap and a beautiful black suede/leather strap. Speaking of which, mine came equipped with the leather strap, and my God, it’s comfortable.
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Dial and calibre
The legibility of the dial is beyond impressive, thanks to the big and bold applied numerals (even numbers) and rectangular indices (odd numbers) in a slight “fauxtina” color, which contrasts beautifully against the deeply textured dial. RETROVIVO calls this a black dial, but to me, it’s more on the side of a dark beige (a slightly darker 2061 Dark Beige) or a brownish gray. Either way, it looks great, and the dial appears different in all lighting conditions. There’s so much detail, and the longer you look, the more entranced you become. Powering the watch is something a little different, which is a welcome change. While we do see a sweeping second hand, the slightly choppy nature is a giveaway and a hint that a meca-quartz movement is the engine behind the RV01: the Seiko VH31, to be exact. The VH31 is from Seiko’s family of high beat rate quartz movements and is often referenced as a member of the Sweep Second Quartz Series by Seiko.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 39mm Diameter 46mm Lug-to-Lug 9.5mm Thick 20mm Lug Width 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Textured black Gradient Dial Applied Markers and Numerals Baton Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Seiko (SII) VH31 Meca-Quartz 14,400 vph (2hz) 2-Year Battery Life |
| Strap | Italian Leather, or NATO |
RETROVIVO RV01
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Quibbles
This is such a comfortable watch and one that I’ve quickly adored, but I truly wish there was a stainless steel bracelet available or a stainless steel mesh. The RV01 would look fantastic on a mesh bracelet and would add to that level of casual/sport aesthetic and make it an even better option for a daily. Steel bracelet, leather strap, nato, you’d have all bases covered. An FKM rubber option would be fantastic too, just throwing that out there.
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Final Thoughts
In short, I’m impressed. It’s a good-looking watch in a great form factor that comes with some killer and comfortable strap options. I can comfortably say that anyone looking to get into watches or those who are just looking for one watch to wear and enjoy that won’t break the bank, the RV01 is a great choice, and you’re supporting a new brand—what’s not to love?
Pricing & Availability
Speaking of not breaking the bank, I should probably mention the price—a whopping $235 USD. For more information, or to order one for yourself, feel free to check out RETROVIVO.
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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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