This year, designer Mathieu Alegre and Depencers founder Clément Menier have brought back the Amida Digi trend. Its ultra-70s design turns heads, and the modern technology inside makes it more reliable than ever. The Digitrend Take-Off Edition sold out quickly. This time, we will introduce watches that will be added to the brand’s permanent collection. First, of course, there is the original still version. But to make a bolder statement, you can now choose between a new black DLC edition and a 4N gold PVD coated edition.
If you want to know more about the history of Amida Digitrend, check out Balazs’ article. He shares his experiences here with the original Digitrend from the 70’s and has also recently worked hands-on with the reprint. Aside from the exterior finish, the watch we’re talking about today is technically the same as the reissue reviewed by Balazs. Let’s take a look.
Amida Digitrend Steel, Black and Gold Edition
These new watches for the permanent collection feature the same updated stainless steel case as the Takeoff edition launched earlier this year. That is, it is 39.8mm wide, 39mm long, and 15.6mm thick. The big news is that you can choose between the original steel version, the version with black DLC, and the version with 4N gold PVD treatment. All three versions have a primarily brushed finish. Only the ring around the display, the sides of the bracelet and the chamfers surrounding the case back are polished.
These three new non-limited models feature a larger sapphire crystal on the caseback than the Takeoff edition. Through it, you can see the Swiss automatic Soprod Newton P092 movement inside. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 23 jewels and has a 44-hour power reserve. At the top is a nine-component module that drives two disks over hours and minutes. Although these discs are in a horizontal position, you can read the time from the side of the Digitrend thanks to the sapphire light reflective display (LRD).
The stainless steel bracelet with quick-release spring bar tapers from 22 mm at the case to 18 mm at the push-button operated butterfly clasp. The emblem at the top displays the Amida brand name. This looks nice, but it means you have to close the bracelets in a specific order. Otherwise it will get in the way.
In my hand…
These are true, but I think the feeling Amida Digitrend gives is more important. This is a watch with a very unusual case shape. You’ll probably either love it or hate it. I’m a big fan of its quirky design and all-mechanical movement inside. However, until recently, I had never actually touched any Amida Digi Trends, old or new. According to Balazs’ article, the original Digitrend and its bracelet felt a little fragile. Also, the single jewel movement and jump hour module didn’t feel very sturdy.
I’m happy to report that both the Amida Digitrend reissue and its bracelet feel very solid. The same feeling applies when winding the watch or setting the time using the push-pull crown on the right side of the case. It still looks like a watch from the ’70s, but its construction definitely feels like something from 2024.
…and on your wrist
The dimensions of the Amida Digitrend may look like a small, angular, thick block. However, I don’t feel that way on my wrist. Its organic shape is much more comfortable than it looks. The 39mm “lug to lug” measurement worked well for my 17cm wrist. Also, the rounded sides make it feel slimmer than it actually is. When viewed from above, all you can see is the steel, so it doesn’t really look like a watch. Reading the time from the long, narrow display also takes a little effort. This is especially because the actual “display” is located quite deep inside the case. But I think you have to sacrifice convenience for quirkiness here.
To be honest, the original steel version is still my favorite of the three. The unusual case shape is already noticeable enough to me. Also, I’m not a fan of black-painted watches in general, and the gold version has a slight pink tint, which is also not to my liking. However, I feel these two new colors go well with the 70’s style of the digital trend. The black DLC version is for those looking for a stealthier option, while the 4N gold PVD version is for those who prefer to stand out. Either way, it’s great that you can now adapt any of these three options to fit your style.
final thoughts
In conclusion, it’s great to have an updated version of Amida Digitrend and now available in three colors. Watches like the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0, Space One Jumping Hour, and this DigiTrend offer something completely different from the traditional shapes out there. Additionally, the jump hour complication is a nice mechanical variation of the regular three-hand dial. I think it’s great that passionate people are keeping it alive, especially when it comes to unique case shapes like Digitrend.
These three Amida Digitrend versions are available today for CHF 2,900 (steel), CHF 3,250 (black) and CHF 3,500 (gold) excluding VAT. At this price, each watch comes with a comfortable Alcantara strap. If you would like a stainless steel bracelet, you will need to pay an additional charge of CHF 350 before VAT. Apart from Amida’s official website, Digitrend can also be purchased from the brand’s retail partners: Chronopassion in Paris, Prjkt8 in Bahrain, Chronométrie Clarence in Geneva, 10Ten Labs in Jeddah, and Swiss Prestige in Taipei.
Let us know what you think about Amida Digitrend and its new colors in the comments section below.
