Tyler Frederick
Humble and passionate
As a regular consumer/enjoyer of watch-based content (podcasts, articles, etc.), I’ve seen and heard the name anOrdain popping up in just about everything, so I decided to look into the brand. What I came across was a humble team of 15 passionate people looking to create unique and exquisite watches that, while not exactly budget-friendly, pack a lot of punch for your dollar and look stunning. From enamel to porcelain and everything crafted in-house, anOrdain is a brand that raised many eyebrows, mine included. When I received an email showcasing the new anOrdain Model 2 Porcelain in all its black beauty, I couldn’t help but ask to get it hands-on.
While I thought it was a long shot, the watch is here, and I’m stoked to share my thoughts.
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Key Features of the anOrdain Model 2 Porcelain
Funny enough, I first heard of anOrdain through our friends at Paulin, due to anOrdain acquiring Paulin back in 2023, making them sister companies and allowing for some cross-Paulinization of ideas and design cues between teams. I’m not sorry for the pun. Behind every watch from anOrdain is pride, craftsmanship, and the idea that “designing and manufacturing should be intertwined under one roof.” With a team of 15, 8 of whom are trained designers, anOrdain has a unique recipe for creating some stunning pieces. What are they known for? Well, their stunning work and ability to work with enamel, as well as their newest material choice, porcelain.
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I could go on all day about their process for finishing and working with enamel and other materials, but I’ll save all that for another day. My main focus is this beautiful black mirror, or as I’ve been calling it, “the void.” The dial looks like ink. The black is so rich and so crisp; it made me think of Vantablack. I know it’s nowhere close to the light-deleting and non-buyable paint, but it’s pretty damn perfect nonetheless. Each dial is crafted by hand by anOrdain’s porcelain artist, Cara Louise, using traditional crafting techniques from start to finish, from molding to firing.
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Porcelain is a difficult material to work with, especially when crafting a watch dial; anOrdain has confirmed that they’ll be producing 30 per month, making this a rarity and giving me greater gratitude for having had one hands-on. Not to mention the beautiful numerals with their striking gold accents contrasting off the glossy goodness is a fantastic addition and add a level of sophistication.
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Turning our focus to the remainder of the watch, it’s well-proportioned and would make for an excellent dress watch, or even something “casual” due to its anti-ostentatious appearance. With a 39.5mm case, 46mm lug-to-lug, and a thickness of 11mm, the sizing is perfect, comfortable, and brings a wrist presence that isn’t in your face. It’s like a polite “hi” whenever you look down or feel the weight as you walk, if you notice it, and the watch fits very comfortably under a shirt cuff.
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This would also be a great black tie watch, just saying. The motor powering the Model 2 Porcelain is the La Joux-Perret G101–a great and reliable Swiss automatic calibre no-date with 68-hours of power reserve.
Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 39.5mm Diameter 46mm Lug to Lug 20mm Lug width 11mm Thick Screwed Case Back 50m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Black Glazed Procelain Painted Markers Custom Sword Hands Hands |
| Movement | La Joux-Perret G101 Swiss Automatic/Self-Winding 24 Jewels 28,800 vph/4 Hz 41-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Black Shell Cordovan Strap |
anOrdain Model 2Porcelain
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Quibbles
The brand has already my only “quibble” and that’s the size. I think 39.5mm is fantastic, but for a watch like this, I would have preferred a 36mm, which–as luck would have it–anOrdain will be releasing via the Model 2 Porcelain Medium.
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Final Thoughts
I’ve had such a great time with the anOrdain Model 2 Porcelain, and I wish I had more opportunity to get dressed up with this on my wrist; maybe one day. It’s a beautiful watch that implements so much care, love, and craftsmanship from a small and passionate team, adding a certain level of magic and whimsy. It feels much more romantic than other watches, and that’s one of many reasons why I enjoy it. As much as I have enjoyed it, my previous mention of a smaller case size would be a great addition and is coming soon; I feel that will speak to many collectors and enthusiasts as well. For those looking for a beautiful dress watch or something that’s both gorgeous and subtle, I strongly recommend checking this out.
Pricing & Availability
Thank you to the amazing folks from anOrdain for giving me the opportunity to check out this black dial beauty. It retails for $3542 + VAT and is available in five colourways and two sizes. For more information and to order, please visit the brand website. Thanks for reading!
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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.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.
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