Welcoming The Dragon With My Armida A2 PVD 500m

[sys12345]

I bought a new 500m diver time piece just before the Chinese Lunar New Year of 2012. Its the Armida A2 PVD, powered by a Miyota 8215 movement. You can find out more about the various versions of this model, including the specs over here: http://www.armidawatches.com/a2-500m.php. Armida is the new kid in town, specialising in diver time pieces equipped with either a Japanese Miyota or a Swiss ETA movement. Despite being made in Hong Kong, its quality and finishing rivals many of the more expensive Swiss watches. In addition, you'll get great customer service from Chris of Armida Watches.








I was quite apprehensive about buying a watch from a new manufacturer. Despite reading about a number of positive reviews regarding Armida Watches, i emailed Chris with questions after questions and each time, he took the effort to reply promptly. Before i knew it, there were only 7 days left before Chinese New Year Eve and i've yet to place an order. What the heck, i decide to take a gamble and pulled the trigger on this one. My watch was picked up by Fedex on Monday at 5pm in Hong Kong and delivered to my door step the next day at 12pm in Singapore. When i told Chris that i needed the watch ASAP, he did not disappoint me. He shipped it via Fedex Priority (which is expensive). As the price of his watches are inclusive of shipping worldwide, i think they are quite reasonably priced. I have not come across any other micro brand manufacturers who are willing to spend the extra on shipping, nor are they as prompt in shipping.






Ever since i have flipped my Seiko Sawtooth, i've been thinking of replacing it with another diver watch. The lume must be awesome and it has to be an automatic. In addition, it must be comfortable on the wrist with a proportionately sized dial and bezel. I dislike those small dials with a big bezel! I would prefer a clean dial so that i can read time at a glance. With a case size of 42mm and a height of 13mm, the A2 PVD is the ideal candidate. You may not notice it at this angle but the minute hand touches each index marker while the second hand overlaps them, making it very easy to tell time at a glance.







Metallic hands provides a nice contrast against the black dial in the day.








It sits low and flat on the wrist, unlike some other divers which look as if you have strapped a brick on your wrist!








Lumed bezel, markers and hands. If you think you've seen the best lume from a Seiko Sawtooth or a Seiko Monster, the A2 PVD will give you a reality check. The lume is AWESOME and lasts throughout the night! It is very sensitive and it will glow even if its charged by indoor ambient lighting. I am sure the lume will satisfy even the most hardcore lume junkie. It is just as easy to read the time in the dark since all the markers on the bezel are lumed as well. WYSIWYG in a dim environment, there is no intentional use of a long exposure or post processing to achieve a brighter lume shot.







3mm domed sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating on the inside.








Armida signed screw down crown.








Individually engraved case back. Solid end links








Half links and a 4-hole micro adjustment folding clasp for a perfect fit....








with a diver's extension....








and a flip lock.















A wrist shot ....








I am quite pleased with the watch. The PVD process has been well executed. There are no exposed/untreated/uneven areas on the case and on the links. The finishing is good, with no sharp edges anywhere. There are no rattles nor squeaks from the bracelet. It is my first watch with a Miyota 8215 movement. The winding is effortless though somewhat coarse. It may not be as refined as a Swiss ETA 2824-2 but it is nonetheless a reliable workhorse movement. The watch is keeping a relatively good time at +10 secs/day. I was told by Chris that they regulate the movements in their watches. At 205g with the full bracelet, this is practically the ideal weight for me. The package also comes with an additional diver's strap and a strap changing tool (very thoughtfully included ). My only gripes with the watch so far...


1) The bezel and clasp are very tight. There's no free play with the bezel and it turns with positive clicks but u need to put a little more effort to turn it. I was told that it will loosen up a bit with usage.


2) There's no consistent marker division on the bezel. From 0 to 15 and 55 to 0, you will see 4 sub markers between the main markers. Its 3 sub markers for the rest. Small niggles but i would prefer to have some form of consistent labeling.






Thanks for viewing!

[asadtiger]

that is one srious, and seriously nice, watch I like the Armada model too from Armida

[sys12345]

Thanks! I've been giving it lots of wrist time.

[marchone]

Thanks for the review. I have been very impressed with what I have read about the Armida A2 500M.

I just ordered an A2 PVD with ETA 2824-2 movement. Can't wait to have it in my hands. A side-by-side comparison with my new MKII Milsub HRV is due.

A $100 coupon through OceanicTime brought the price down to where I could not refuse it!

[sys12345]

Excellent choice and congrats on your new A2 PVD.


I'm sure u'll love this piece, especially for the design, finishing and that awesome lume! Ever since i bought the watch, its been my everyday watch, replacing my Nav B Chrono II. The PVD finishing is still holding well for daily wear.