Released earlier last month, we took the new SEVENFRIDAY ME1/02 out for a couple of weeks and give you this comprehensive review.
Review: the new SEVENFRIDAY ME1/02
The SEVENFRIDAY ME1/02 retails at USD 1,470 / CHF 1,309 / EUR 1,412 (all ex. VAT).
We covered the basics of this new collection in our commentary and release article which is found here. Please read first.
The review loaner is the ME1/02, which is in the green and gold colour scheme.
The case, dial and hands
This is SEVENFRIDAY’s first new collection after a decade of the M-Series. The design is clearly a clever evolution of the M-Series into the ME-Series. The case is made smaller, while retaining the overall rounded square shape. It is now 44mm (down from 47mm) and thinner.
The rounded square look is retained and the futuristic looking ports to show the digital minutes and hours also feature suitably rounded corners. The entire watch is smooth, with the transition from case to the sapphire glass covering the dial assembly is very pleasant to the touch. The oft recalled comparison to a pebble well worn by the slow erosion of flowing water is apt.
The aesthetics is superb. The streamlined look appear aerodynamic. The play of gold accents with the cold steel works very well to highlight the elements where time can be read.
The discs which carry the digital display for the hours and minutes are only partially exposed through these openings. Reading the time takes a bit of familiarisation, as both the discs are both continuously moving in the clockwise direction. But SEVENFRIDAY has thought to mark the half hours on the hour disc, so that one knows if it is past the hour. I first found the clockwise moving minute disc a bit disconcerting. For reasons that I am not able to explain myself, I had expected it to traverse anti-clockwise. But that was quickly learned, and I got used to it in little time.
The movement
The movement is the SEVENFRIDAY TMI NH70 (M), which is derived from the Seiko NH 70 (M). Previosly, the M1, M2 and M3 models was using the Miyota 8215. As mentioned in my commentary, we are not sure why this change, as SEVENFRIDAY offered no explanation nor highlight this change in the documentation. But the Seiko is as much a workhorse as the Miyota it replaces. So to us, this movement swap is neutral.
The usual NFC chip is found on the case back. SEVENFRIDAYS is one of the pioneers of the use of NFC to scan and register their watches to ensure authenticity.
The competitive landscape
SEVENFRIDAY watches typically occupy very sparse landscapes. Their watches offer an often unique take on what a watch can be, given the lifestyle and design considerations. The designer and co-founder Arnaud Duval has an eye for the unusual, cleverly blending it with contemporary aesthetics to create a watch which stands on its own. And Dan Niederer’s pricing philosophy place it below many design watches, and right in the territory of tiny independents. And frankly at the mid-CHF 1.4k mark, the watches are great value. Especially if one likes the design and aesthetics. Which, there is much to love.
Concluding thoughts
The SEVENFRIDAY ME01/02 is a beautiful watch. Now in the smaller case, it wears very well. The aesthetics are very attractive. And wearing it on a day to day basis proves that there are no issues in its use case for the modern urban warrior. The watch does catch the attention of friends and acquaintances alike. And in that sense, not quite as stealthy as one might wish for in the brutal urban environment.
The feel of the case to the touch is addictive. For me, the colour scheme works well with the gold and green going well with urban attire. The pricing is eminently fair, and overall, the ME01/02 gets a high recommendation from us.
Photo Notes
With the exception of the wrist shot, all photographs of the SEVENFRIDAY ME were taken with a Sinar–Fujifilm GFX setup using a large format Nikkor SW 90 f/4 lens. Tilt and shift was applied to ensure the plane of sharpness falls on where the important details on the watch is. Also the lens is very sharp with excellent resolving power, but has an analogue feel to it, despite the capture being made with the GFX 50S II.
