Adina Kensington Automatic Watch GW15 T1XB

It’s been two and a half years since we released our first open heart Adina, the GW12, as part of our Oceaneer collection. Without revisiting in detail, my lingering thoughts are that the “Clous de Paris” dial was very special, but perhaps the multi functions of calendar and power reserve didn’t exhibit quite the same level of sophistication. Although a great looking watch, our next generation of this very popular model was going to bring something else to the table. Elegance.

It’s clear that we have once again strived for functionality, but does the rest of the watch live up its predecessor? Let’s take a closer look.

It would be unfair to say that the Adina exposed balance “Open Heart” Kensington is all about the dial, but it’s certainly a significant feature. Here, the balance beats away merrily under the blued screws that hold the bridge. The window that surrounds it is highlighted with an applied frame to match the index colour of the dial. Simply stated, at 3 o’clock is a sub second hand dial which accurate and elegant.

Adina Kensington Automatic Watch GW15 T1XB has four dial colours available: Charcoal grey, Pacific Ocean blue, quicksilver and matte black; although each option will give off a slightly different vibe, especially when combined with the different case and bracelet combinations. Outside of the warm tones of the impressive dial, the hour markers are plated in rhodium, gold or rose gold, and are complimented by a simple minute track. There is no SuperLuminova on the hands, yet the simple slotted window gives a certain subtly and elegance that adds to the dial.

With the Adina Kensington Automatic Watch GW15 T1XB, we look to celebrate our water proof watchmaking pedigree. In saying that, it’s tough to write about the case without at least making reference to any number of our Oceaneer watches that people may see some influence from. Whatever influence you see, and whether you like it or not, we love the fact that you cannot but be very impressed by both the finishing and dimensions of the case. The majority of the case is finished with fine vertical brushing across the top surface, flat lugs and case sides, but there’s still plenty of polished 904L stainless steel to catch the eye. There is a continuous polished ridge running the length of the watch from lug tip to lug tip spanning three different angled edges on each side, and surrounding the dial is a slightly stepped bezel which not only reflects and houses the highly scratch resistant sapphire crystal but brings the eye in and across the lightly brushed bezel insert.

At 42mm across the case (excluding the pumpkin bi-oring crown), the Kensington GW15 is fairly modest in size. It can be said, a case of this proportion can feel big. Not so in this case, although its thickness at 14mm gives stature it sill sits incredibly comfortably on any size wrist. The lugs are sharply downturned transitioning into the faceted surface of the bracelet very quickly. However, I would personally not want the watch any bigger. Along with the lightness of the brushed steel surfaces, the exposed balance dial is enough of a statement that any larger might be too overpowering.

The cut of the case also has a huge part in how it wears on the wrist. Anything under 10mm thick tends to get classed as slim for an automatic watch, and the GW15 comes in over that number, but it was never our desire to make a flatline automatic. With the polished bezel sitting on top, and the exhibition case back protruding a little beneath, that leaves a good 9mm for the case body. When the case itself sits flat every millimetre matters, and we would like to believe we have got the right balance here.

Powering what is sure to be a modern classic is the TY2501 automatic calibre. This open-heart movement beats at 28,800 bph and has a power reserve of 40 hours. The movement is regulated to +/-10 seconds per day as it leaves the factory, and here at Adina we then regulate further across five positions. The movement also features hacking. The entire movement is visible though the exhibition display-back which is championed by the logo embossed rhodium plated rotor.

When it comes to living with the Adina GW15. The bracelet feels like it completes the package as it continues the excellent finishing and attention to detail seen on the case. The bracelet also features a very nice one touch clasp which is operated by pressing the Adina logo outside the centre.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the Adina Kensington Automatic Watch GW15 T1XB resonates functionality and style and certainly does enough to set it apart from its predecessor. The level of workmanship exhibited in every watch which is constructed by hand in our Brisbane workshops is going a long way to support our 51-year-old watch making history, as are the quality of design and execution of some key Australian aesthetic concepts.

The Adina Kensington Automatic GW15 T1XB is meticulously hand assembled by a qualified watchmaker in Brisbane Australia.