Russell Sheldrake
The brand that surprised me the most this year was Celica. Having had a breakout moment in the industry, this small Paris-based company has brought a new vision of what a tool watch should be, while staying true to its core characteristics. But now the brand seems to have established itself as a tool watch and is trying something new. It’s a new Celica Parade-shaped dress watch.
This new direction from Parisian shows that they are bringing a recognizable code to dress watches, and for those who are used to wearing chunky sports watches every day and can’t go beyond that. I think it would make a perfect dress watch. The wrist has a delicate design.
The parade is oval in shape, with a case inspired by the structure of stadiums, with banked seats facing the main event: the dial. This dial features a minimalist S-curve engraved design that radiates from the center, amplifying the effect of the sun’s rays on the dial itself. The only other markings on the dial are the small dot hour markers at the edge of the dial. And in classic Serica style, there’s no branding or text anywhere to be seen.
The dial is available in two colors, one in satin black and one in bright brass. The black feels a little closer to a true dress watch to me, but the brass dial is very reminiscent of the old two-tone designs from the ’80s. Only the minute and hour hands move on the dial. It pays homage to a true dress watch, eliminating the second hand and pursuing the simplicity and elegance of a two-handed hand.
The oval shape is quite blocky for a dress watch, but thanks to the sandwich construction, the caseback screws move up to the height of the case and are recessed into the bezel. This puts more pressure on the gasket, creating a secure seal and increasing water resistance to 100 meters. The case construction makes this feel like a hybrid between a sports watch and a dress watch. That is, it is very practical and you don’t have to worry or worry your baby when wearing it.
Inside the watch is the same Swiss-made SoProd M100 automatic caliber that the brand uses in its famous field watches. The robust movement gives the watch a 42-hour power reserve and allows the total thickness of the watch to remain relatively thin at 8.3 mm.
Celica Parade ref. 1174 price and availability
The new Celica Parade ref. 1174 is currently available for pre-order on the brand’s website. Price: 1,490 euros.
Brand Celica Model Parade Ref. 1174 Case Dimensions 35mm (D) x 8.3mm (T) x 41mm Case Material 316L Stainless Steel Water Resistance 100 Meters Crystal Sapphire Dial Black or Brass Bracelet Grained Calfskin Movement SoProd M100, Automatic Functions Hours, Minutes Availability Advance price 1,490 euros
