There are a few watchmakers that seem to never run out of creative ideas; Alexander Shorokhoff is definitely one of them.
Founded almost 30 years ago, Alexander Shorokhov, the Russian born, German based watchmaker seems to continually come up with new design inspiration and it’s not just a few here and there, there are consistently new model designs appearing.
With this release, there is a continuation into the direction of the founder’s avantgarde art inspiration, filling free space with geometrical elements and small moving parts, which appear to be floating.
The inspiration for this watch, was to create a feeling for the industrialisation and the heavy change of life of the people – Alexander Shorokhoff explains:
With the watch “Revolution” Alexander Shorokhov wanted to realize his talent of engineer by showing more art and more “Avantgarde” in his design. At the same time, he was expressing his view to the future. Moreover, this new model should be in some contrast to the current watch models.
Alexander Shorokhoff Revolution AVG
Face & case
The Revolution AVG has an oversized appearance. It’s vaulted sapphire crystal extends almost all the way out to the edge of the 43.5mm stainless steel case, allowing only for a very thin bezel, enabling maximum use of the area within.
An undulating rehaut, in the style of a mechanical cog wheel frames the internal dial area, however, the time dial itself only takes up about a third of the main area within; also framed with a brushed cog style pattern, they are connected at 3 o’clock and appear to be almost like a small extracted piece of the same larger industrial machine.
There is a lot going on in the proportionally smaller time dial – it is mainly a white/silver colour, loosely split into 6 equal areas, some of which have connecting patterns and cross overs of design. Minute markers circle the circumference of the dial, hours being small black squares and minutes indicated with lines. Moving inwards, only primary colours and black have been used. Geometric shape cover a large proportion and a chequered flag takes up one of the areas. A solid yellow half area sits between 10 and 11 o’clock, with 1917-2017 in black text – this is the centenary of the Russian Revolution, however, I am not familiar with any other specific relevance (if there is) of any other shapes.
The name Alexander Shorokhoff runs diagonally across the dial from 7 to 1 o’clock in black caps text and the brand’s logo sits at 12 o’clock under the familiar applied big “60” (a signature in most if not all pieces by the brand) in a rose gold colour. There are 2 other small hints of rose gold on the dial – one outward pointing triangle at 8 o’clock and the date window sits at 6 o’clock, framed with rose gold.
A curvy seconds hand rotates full dial width and sits above everything, with small rose gold coloured centres pointing outwards on either end. The hour and minute hands, which are in polished black, have lume painted up their centres.
The open space outwith the main time dial is made up of various elements. There is a plaque running vertically in line with the centre of the left lugs, whose border is enamelled red, around the words “REVOLUTION AVANTGARDE”, with polished screws on either side. The rest of the area is made up of a series of connecting rods and geometric shapes and small mechanical parts on either ends – most of the rods are straight, however, one is curved with spirals on either end, adding another diversity to the design. Everything seems to be almost floating, as the rest of the area is open and it is possible to see all the way through otherwise.
From the side, the gradual curve of the case shape is apparent; there is a large flat crown with good grips, which is easy to use. The brand’s name and logo are embossed on the end.
Turning the watch over, many of the same design elements are visible from the back, as what were visible from the front (only in reverse). The vertical plaque is now in polished steel with “MADE IN GERMANY” embossed on it. The movement is framed by a black ring with Revolution Avantgarde at the top and Alexander Shorokhoff Uhrenmanufaktur at the bottom.
The movement sits nestled in the recess, with a rose gold coloured, hand engraved and finished rotor, spinning above it.
There is no mention of it on the case anywhere, but the Revolution AVG has been tested to 5 ATM (50m) water resistance.
Alexander Shorokhoff Revolution AVG Case Back
Movement
The Revolution AVG is powered by an automatic movement 2671.AS, an ETA 2671 which has been hand engraved and refined in house, including a replacement hand engraved rotor.
At only 17.2mm wide, it features 25 jewels and beats at 28,800 vhp. Owners should expect 42 hours power reserve once fully wound.
Functions include hours, minutes, central seconds and date.
Alexander Shorokhoff Revolution AVG Side & Crown
Strap
A choice of strap is available with this watch.
The one in this review has a stainless steel mesh strap, with “Alexander Shorokhoff” engraved on a multi-section, polished clasp, with butterfly fastener, however, a soft red deerskin strap with minimalistic yellow and blue stitching on at the lugs, with polished pin buckle is also available.
The price of the deerskin option is slightly less expensive (details on pricing can be found at the end of the article).
Alexander Shorokhoff Revolution AVG Strap & Buckle
Other stuff
The brand Alexander Shorokhoff has been around a lot longer than many of the brands we get hands on with, so I thought it could be interesting to share some history on the brand and the man behind the brand.
Alexander Shorokhov was born in Moscow in 1960 and studied civil engineering and architecture (clearly this is where the design inspiration began).
In 1991, he was offered an opportunity in gratitude for his achievements and commitment to business – he was chosen as one of 20 managers who went to Germany in 1991 to further education in a free market economy, at the Ministry of Economics in Hessen, thanks to an agreement between German chancellor Helmut Kohl and Russian president Michail Gorbatshov.
Within a year of arriving to Germany, he established a European distribution network of watches for the largest and most important Russian brand of the time, “Poljot” before establishing his first watch brand “Poljot International” in 1994, which is still running and making watches today.
It was, however, his dream to create and sell high quality watches independently, so he founded the “Alexander Shorokhoff watch manufacture” under his own name in Alzenau, Bavaria in the year 2003, in order to control the workmanship, quality and design of the collection. (Note the name change from “v” to “ff” – the double “ff” at the end of his last name emphasizes his Russian roots and the brand’s historic background, which he is very proud of.)
Alexander Shorokhov is a world citizen. He travels the world and draws inspiration from the many countries and cultures he visits, however, his greatest source of inspiration is his Russian roots, based on a rich and deeply pronounced millennial art and cultural history. Combining this with German precision result in creative new designs, excellent quality and highest possible precision.
Alexander Shorokhoff Revolution AVG On the Wrist
Our verdict
On receiving the Revolution AVG, I was firstly impressed by the packaging; professionally put together on every level, including certificates and paperwork, as well as the brand’s awards splashed across the front of the outer box. The piano black main presentation box was better than many of the other much more (in some cases more than 10 times more) expensive brands use.
The watch itself appeared bigger than I expected in the case, however, very well composed and the initial somewhat erratic feel of the dial design soon subsided once the initial “oh wow, that’s different” vibe grew quite quickly into “I actually quite like it” after looking at all the different elements.
On the wrist, it doesn’t actually feel big at all; in fact it feels smaller than the actual 43.5mm – I think perhaps the unusually small time dial inside an otherwise large and mostly open space is deceiving to the eyes. It is well weighted and comfortable – at only 11.55mm thick and with its very soft curves around the case and glass, I think it would fit nicely under most cuffs.
I very much appreciate the architecturally inspired design, with a feeling of De Stijl or Bauhaus type industrial design very much jumping to mind; the use of primary colours and the mechanical gearing inspired edges adds to my assumption.
Whilst comfort levels are perfect with the steel mesh strap, my personal opinion is that a coloured leather strap would do the design more justice. The good news is that there is actually a choice of a red deer skin strap, which is actually a few hundred less than the steel bracelet, so if you agree, it would be a double win.
Only 100 pieces will be made and at a price of 4,108 EUR / 3,600 GBP with steel strap (or 3,857 EUR / 3,400 GBP with red deer skin strap), I do believe that this is exceptional value, based on the individual design, attention to detail and clearly there are many hand made elements to the watch.
For this reason, I don’t expect them to be around for long, so if you fancy adding something a little bit individual to your collection without breaking the bank, then this could be it.
https://en.alexander-shorokhoff.de/
Available to purchase directly from us while stocks last – BUY NOW
0 Comments