We spotted this project on IndieGoGo – it’s also on Kick – and although we loathe the way brands deliberately add capital letters to their name, it’s a good looking titanium watch with a Swiss STP movement.

A 40mm case, sapphire crystal, 44 hour reserve and DLC coating all add up nicely to create a moody, dark timepiece. But we have to confess, this watch has a silly name, Peacemaker. They even wrote it on the dial, which is otherwise a minimalist delight to look at.  Why, I mean just why? A Colt pistol yeah, maybe a Dalai Lama herbal tea…but a watch? Nah.

OK, let’s talk upsides. The little ring of lume around the edge of the dial is another neat little touch we like. Different is good.

You also get a see-thru caseback, so you can admire that Swiss automatic movement. We like that knurled winding crown at 4 o’clock too, adds to the whole industrial, Germanic vibe.

Early bird offer price is 539 euro, and you need to add on some UK customs duty on top.  That’s a fair price we think. You have to pay Christopher Ward over £1000 for a titanium cased model.

RIVALS

There are plenty of all black, automatic watches out there and alternatives include the Braun automatic at £400 or perhaps a Victorinox Carbon at £800 or so might suit you. Plenty of titanium watches from Seiko and Citizen too, some quartz or Eco-Drive of course, some automatic. In short, you take a chance with the Portahl that it will be worth something one day if you choose to sell it. With a Seiko you don’t.

Indie brands like RZE have titanium case models from $599, or maybe the Boldr Chaigo at $499 seems worth a look – with great lume on the dial – and it has a great story of `street artist makes good’ behind it.

There are options. Just saying. Portahl need to try harder before the slogan `The watch you are missing’ actually stands up.

More info here, including some racy promo pics.