You’ll find the crown at 4 o’clock, as on a lot of dive watches, but I know it bothers some people who just like the classic look of a crown at 3 o’clock or find it to be “unbalanced” – even though real symmetry would require a similar crown on the left side of the dial also. I suspect it’s just a visceral reaction of discomfort from seeing a ubiquitous design style slightly changed. Personally, I like it. I am a pragmatist, and the fact that I can wear the watch close to my wrist and not have it pinch closes the book on that issue.
Turning the watch over doesn’t reveal a view of the movement, but rather a simple steel case back that tells you the basics of the watch as well as the number that identifies which of the 77 pieces made it is (the one I wore was number 28, by the way). Of course, the case back is also justified by the fact that it helps the watch get its 200m water resistance. As for the movement, the Ralf Tech WRV V Automatic 1977 “Parisienne” runs on the RTA002 2836 movement which is based off an ETA movement. It runs at 28,800bph (4Hz) and has a power reserve of 44 hours. For watches like this one that are running on modified ETA movements or the like, I usually just reduce my personal experience to two things: power reserve and the seconds hand. The power reserve can last me through a weekend and the seconds hand glides with smoothness across the face of the watch. So, overall, I’m satisfied. Not blown away, but satisfied.
With a price of $2,250 for the Ralf Tech WRV V Automatic 1977 “Parisienne” watch, there is no shortage of competition out there. Yes, Ralf Tech makes serious dive watches, but in their WRV line are some really, truly fantastic pieces that I am a genuine fan of. This one is limited to 77 pieces, but Ralf Tech makes a few iterations with this automatic movement or their hybrid quartz movements that utilize an automatic accumulator recharge that start at around $1,500. It’s a solid, cohesive watch that you won’t find on everyone’s wrist for a good enough price point, and if my review has you even remotely interested, then I’d suggest at least trying one out. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and in a world where so many watches are totally arbitrarily priced, I find that this is a piece that has a justification of cost. ralftechamerica.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Ralf Tech
>Model: WRV V Automatic 1977 “Parisienne”
>Price: US $2,250
>Size: 43.8mm wide
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone who wants a solid everyday watch with an affinity for dive watches but doesn’t want to spend more than $2,500.
>Best characteristic of watch: Does everything well and still manages to have a lot of character through design choices such as dial indices, strap quality, and crown, among others.
>Worst characteristic of watch: That strap buckle is almost comically huge.
