Now, for some nitty-gritty. As mentioned, the 44mm-wide, 13.2mm-thick case feels solid and well-made, with even a little heft to it at 110g. I don’t even consider this case size “big” anymore, and it wears well (if a bit tall) on my 6.5″ (17cm) wrist, largely thanks to the stout and sporty lugs. Despite the screw-in crown that is set into the case slighty, water resistance is only 30m. Contrasting polished and brushed surfaces, as well as PVD elements, are used to good effect.
I have not yet had a chance to break in the somewhat stiff leather straps, but they are also attractive and of a good quality. Here, I will commend REC for the straps’ excellent quick-change system that works like an absolute charm. The little button for quick removal and replacement is part of the strap itself (and springbar) rather than the watch case, so other straps will require the same tools as usual to use with this watch, and these straps will work on any other 24mm-lug-width watches, including the brand’s P-51 collection.
The three versions are the 901-01 that has a steel case with PVD elements like the bezel and crown; the 901-02 with all-steel case and light-colored dial; and the 901-03 with an all-PVD black case and darker dial with orange accents. With the time told on what is essentially a central subdial with small hands easily lost among a busy main dial, legibility is not the REC 901’s strong point, but the 901-01 is probably the easiest to read of the three. In pictures, I thought I would like the black PVD case and colors of the 901-03 best, but I ended up preferring the 901-01 overall, largely for its relative legibility.
The 901-01 features green Super-LumiNova for the hands and indices, including the outer track, but it is very thinly applied and weak aside from on the hour and minute hands. The other two versions apparently use “black lume” for the indices which, in all honesty, I couldn’t even see at all despite my best attempts. With three layers of antireflective coating, the sapphire crystal over the dial offers a glare-free view, but it does have some slight distortions at extreme angles.
The caseback allows a partial view of the movement through five K1 mineral crystal windows – rather than one crystal covered by a frame, as I first thought. There, you will (partially) see the Miyota 9100 automatic movement that operates at 4Hz with about a 40-hour power reserve and a promised accuracy of 10~30 seconds per day. The 9000 series are more premium Miyota movements finding their way into higher-end watches recently, and here you will notice some welcome geneva stripes on the bridge beneath the decorated rotor. With hand-winding and hacking (worth noting because some lower-end Japanese movements lack those features), the “multifunction” 9100 also offers a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock on the dial, day of the week at 9 o’clock, date at 6 o’clock, and month at 3 o’clock. All are appreciated functions, and they are set via the crown’s three positions with the exception of the month that is done via a pusher set into the side of the case at 2 o’clock (you will need something small and pointy to poke it with).
I said this is a watch for car lovers, but it will give people into design a lot to talk about as well. REC took an unexpected approach in a couple ways that I find kind of interesting. First, by paying tribute to a classic car with a very modern watch design, but also by making a watch meant to evoke the car rather than necessarily be paired to it – I see this as a watch more for fans than owners of Porsche 911s. At least it is different from the (multitudes of) other automotive-themed watches that are going for a racing or vintage (or vintage racing) look.
My favorite part of the design are the curves of the case profile which, even to me, do a good job of evoking the Porsche’s lines. Next, I like the tribute to the Porsche’s rear air grille, which is totally decorative here, of course, and probably the most obvious reference to the car. Elsewhere, just about every aspect of the watch finds a way to reference the Porsche 911. The dial is said to be inspired by the car’s dashboard; the seconds indices use the Porsche font; the power reserve indicator is meant to look like the “fuel and oil guage of early 911s” (looks like a bowtie to me); the crown references a steering wheel’s horn cap; the leather straps are reminiscent of car interiors; etc. I also particularly like the caseback that is based on Otto Fuchs rims, with the rotor inside meant to look like a brake disc. The name 901, by the way, refers to the original name of the 911. If it almost seems like I know something about cars, I’m totally faking it.
In addition to being Porsche 911 fans, buyers of the REC 901 watches need to be open to untraditional, avant-garde designs. In this sense, the REC 901 watches remind me a bit of SevenFriday and Dietrich (also in the $1,000-$2,000 price range with Miyota movements), only more restrained and thematically focused. There is a lot of depth, texture, and visual interest on the dial – which, as I said, seems to have put legibility in the passenger’s seat. But again, I think most people who enjoy the REC 901 watch won’t mind letting their eyes linger an extra second or two on the interesting dial.
The three models I was sent are prototypes, of course, as production will begin when the Kickstarter campaign ends April 30, 2017, with delivery expected in September. Already funded, special Kickstarter campaign pricing is available for eager early birds, and each version of the REC 901 will have an eventual retail price of $1,795 starting in October 2017. recwatches.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: REC
>Model: 901 Automatic
>Price: $1,795
>Size: 44mm wide x 13.2mm thick
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Sometimes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone who loves the Porsche 911 more than a little bit.
>Best characteristic of watch: Very solid build quality and feel. Really manages to capture design elements of the Porsche 911 in wristwatch form.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Not strong on legibility due to busy dial, short hands that tend to blend in, and weak lume. A bit pricey.
