Introducing the Brellum Wyvern Classic “Petite Seconde”

While Brellum has gained substantial praise from critics and enthusiasts alike since their arrival on the scene in 2016, they’ve focused almost exclusively on their Pandial and Duobox chronographs. The brand’s recent launch of the Wyvern collection of dress watches, then, is a concerted effort to diversify that lineup and build a more rounded reputation. But does the newest effort in the Wyvern line help to shed the impression that Brellum is a one-trick pony? On first glance of the Wyvern Classic “Petite Seconde,” all signs point to yes. It’s clear that Brellum has a consistent brand identity in mind with the Wyvern, but finding what that identity is means getting deep into the details. 

The case of the Wyvern Classic “Petite Seconde” is where Brellum’s signature approach is most apparent. While it’s large for a dress-styled watch at 42.5 millimeters, the lines of the stainless steel case are undeniably classic with long flowing lugs and simple overall lines. A cushion crown at three o’ clock helps solidify the classic look. Overall, the case of the Wyvern Classic is decently svelte at 9.4 millimeters thick in the metal, but that number is adjusted a bit by Brellum’s trademark dish.

Like the Duobox and Pandial before it, the Wyvern Classic “Petite Seconde” comes equipped with a pair of vintage-styled box sapphire crystals with AR coating, one atop the case and another around back forming a window into the nicely detailed movement. These two crystals add an extra 1.5 millimeters of height, bringing the total to 10.9 millimeters thick. Even with a generous display back, the Wyvern still manages a solid 100 meters of depth resistance.

The dial is similarly classic in its layout—alpha hands, slim applied rectangular indices, sunburst finish, and a small seconds sub-dial. It’s once again in the details where things become more unique here. The small seconds sub-dial itself, for instance, is unusually large and far to the center, wrapping around the main hand stem at its top. A crosshair here helps to add a touch of functionality along with individual personality, while the date window at six o’clock is also nested inside this recessed layer. Counterbalancing this at 12 o’clock is a hefty block of dial text, with the Brellum logo boldly printed above a reminder that the Wyvern Classic is a certified chronometer. The dial surface itself is available in three different sunburst colorways: silver, black, and a sapphire blue.

Brellum resumes their usual approach with the movement. The BR-895-1 automatic movement here begins life as an ETA base, but Brellum makes some serious modifications. Like the movements in the Duobox and Pandial before it, the BR-895-1 is COSC chronometer-certified (no small feat of its own at this price point) and impressively decorated to Brellum’s own standard. This includes perlage on all movement plates, along with an ornate custom skeletonized gold rotor with Côtes de Genève and a sharply etched Brellum emblem.

Brellum matches the three dial tones to three corresponding alligator-pattern leather straps in black, blue, or tobacco brown with a deployant buckle to round out the upscale dressy feel.

While it’s definitely a departure from Brellum’s previous work, the Wyvern Classic “Petit Seconde” is still undeniably Brellum with its box sapphire crystal, display back, and COSC-certified custom movement. 42.5 millimeters might make it too large as a dress piece for some, but at a price of $1,490 there’s still a lot to like here. If the Wyvern Classic “Petite Seconde” was any indication to Brellum’s approach outside the realm of chronographs, then we’re excited to see where they’re headed next. Brellum