Affordable Luxury Replica: $600 Racing Chronograph Steals the Look of High-End Wristwatches
The Depancel Allure Meca-Q: A Watch That Packs a Punch
A Bold Design with a Touch of Whimsy
The Depancel Allure Meca-Q is a watch that doesn’t shy away from making a statement. The tri-compax dial and inner tachymeter bezel are a feast for the eyes, with a bold orange seconds hand that adds a pop of color. The brand’s logo at the 12 o’clock index adds a touch of whimsy, even if it does bear a passing resemblance to a domino.
Attention to Detail in Every Aspect
The sides of the case are where the watch really shines, with a screwed-on, serial-engraved plaque on the left and an octagonal crown flanked by two grooved piston-shaped pushers on the right. The crown itself features an orange ring, which may take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to seeing orange rings on crowns serving as a warning that the crown is pulled out.
A Timeless Movement at an Affordable Price
Inside the watch is the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz movement, a classic design that allows Depancel to keep the price of the watch under $1,000. This movement combines quartz timekeeping with a mechanical chronograph module featuring a sweeping center seconds hand.
A Surprisingly Detailed Case
[Image: The Depancel Allure Meca-Q on a man’s wrist]
The case, with its various levels of finishing, packs in a surprising amount of detail for the price point. The various textures and patterns add depth and visual interest, making this watch a true standout.
A Few Minor Quibbles
As with any watch featuring this movement, the subdial layout isn’t ideal. The 24-hour register at 3 o’clock is largely useless, but Depancel has done a good job making each subdial look different and yet somehow cohesive. I especially like the wording on the running seconds subdial, which helps distract from the quartz ticking.
• Quartz timekeeping with mechanical chronograph module
• Seiko VK63 meca-quartz movement
• Tri-compax dial and inner tachymeter bezel
• Bold orange seconds hand
• Octagonal crown with grooved piston-shaped pushers
• Screwed-on, serial-engraved plaque on the left side of the case
