Introducing the De Rijke & Co. Amalfi Series 1S, a Watch for the Open Road

You decide to ride a 1962 Vespa on a trip of a lifetime down the Old Silk Road—yeah, that one—and to keep track of time, you buy an old Russian Vostok wristwatch.

But the real fruits of the trip—besides the adventure? The Vespa and the watch have inspired you to make your own watch. Specifically, a driver’s watch.

That’s the short version of the story behind fledgling Dutch brand owner Laurens de Rijke’s Amalfi Limited Edition Series 1S (99 pieces). Says de Rijke, “I tried to find the balance between the watch being a jewel at the one hand and being a (functional) tool at the other hand.”

De Rijke is a design engineer, as am I, so I have an acute appreciation for a few of his design points.

The recess on one side of the crown is engraved with the model name and the Limited Edition number of piece. At this writing, you may still be able to request the number you’d like to have. The recess on the opposite side is available for personal engraving. Inquire with De Rijke & Co. when you place your order.

The black lacquered dial is not as spare as the case might imply. First, it’s huge, double case construction notwithstanding (I’m a sucker for huge dials with thin bezels). The hands are tapered and skeletonized (for future lume inclusion, according to the press release). The applied hour markers are silver plated and hand filled with paint. Both hands and markers are of a single design philosophy. This gives the Series 1S an attractive, unified look.

The motor purring beneath is the Soprod M100 (formerly known as the A10-2), Soprod’s version of the 2892-A2, which can be inspected through the sapphire case back.

All in all, the De Rijke & Co. Amalfi Series 1S is a uniquely stylish newcomer to a genre perhaps under-appreciated—the driver’s watch. Time to pull on the driving gloves, fire up the Triumph TR-4A, and see what she’s got!

The Series 1S is currently being assembled on an order by order basis as de Rijke works out the details for final production. Lead time is roughly two months, and the price for the De Rijke & Co. Amalfi Series 1S is €2495, including VAT.  De Rijke & Co.