The Manilone S1 Brings Colorful Enamel to Every Wrist

Every once in a while, you come across a watch that truly deserves a double take. Curiously, it has nothing to do with outward dimensions or fancy bezels or functions. It’s about the watch’s aura, a quiet confidence. The Manilone S1 is one of those watches. It has a perfectly proportioned case, yes. But beyond that is the true star of the show: a fumé grand feu enamel dial that shifts with the light, fading from its bright center to its darkened edges. Enamel is notoriously tough to work with and is usually reserved for the upper echelons of collecting. But Manilone has brought this art to a watch that is not only approachable in size but in price.

For those who are less familiar, fumé comes from the French word “smoked”, and it’s an apt descriptor. The smoky gradient on the dial that is as mysterious as it is beautiful is achieved by a very precise process: each dial starts as a silver base with an ever-so-slightly raised center. The base is then coated with layers of enamel pigment, which is then blasted in a furnace over several cycles at temperatures around 800C. After several firings, the dial is inspected for imperfections (e.g. bubbles). The reality is that few dials survive this process and make it to production. The ones that do have a glow that painted dials simply cannot match. You can appreciate this method on Manilone’s own website and video here.

Beyond the dial, the Manilone S1 is a joy to wear and behold. Enthusiasts will appreciate the watch’s 38.5mm 316L steel case, which measures 11mm thick excluding the vintage-style domed sapphire crystal. Other retro design cues include the Breguet style numerals and faceted hands. Inside the Manilone S1 is the ever-reliable Miyota 90S5, which will run worry-free for years. Wearers will have the option to order the S1 on a mesh bracelet or a leather strap, two distinct styles that complement the watch’s understated look.

At the end of the day, the Manilone S1 is for the enthusiast who understands and appreciates the fine art of traditional watchmaking in a modern, wearable format. It’s the collector who realizes just how challenging it is to develop an enamel dial and put it into production. The fact that it all comes at an approachable price is just icing on the fire-forged cake. Choose from stunning blue, green, purple, or champagne and make the S1 your own today on Manilone’s Kickstarter.