Another month, another watch – the Swan & Edgar Complexity. How does it compare to the brand’s previous hit and miss offerings?
Swan & Edgar Complexity Automatic Review
No surprises when it comes to the presentation of the Swan & Edgar Complexity – it comes in the same box as all the other watches I’ve reviewed from the brand. A pretty decent box for the money, with a padded faux-leather top. It does the job and is as good as you would expect for the money – £190. This watch was provided free of charge for my review. Bear that in mind when reading Swan and Edgar reviews.
At a glance |
Swan & Edgar Complexity Automatic |
Price |
£190 (£133 with code WWR30) |
Case size |
43mm |
Thickness |
15.5mm |
Water Resistance |
3 ATM |
Movement |
Not stated |
Case and Movement
The Swan & Edgar Complexity has the same movement as all their other watches: an unnamed Chinese-built automatic movement with subdials for day, date and 24-hours (in this case fashioned as a pictorial day/night indicator). There’s also an open heart feature with an exposed and decorated balance bridge at the 6 o’clock position, if you like that sort of thing.
The case is just fine. It’s not the best-finished watch in the world and is about right for a High Street watch in the £100-£150 range. There are no obvious sharp edges, and I was surprised to see a decorated rotor. If you’re used to high street watches in this price range, you will not be disappointed. If you’ve been watching the microbrand watch world for a while, then you will be. The one thing I was definitely unhappy with is that Swan & Edgar use mineral crystals. Even at this price, I have become accustomed to scratchproof sapphire glass.
Dial and Hands
The dial is better than I expected for the money. I’d put it on a par with something like the Filipo Loreti Rome. Looking closer, there are a few areas where the finishing leaves a lot to be desired – such as the & in Swan & Edgar logo and the blue balance bridge screws. I expect much better quality control, even in a watch selling at £190.
Strap and Buckle / Bracelet and Clasp
The strap is a generic leather affair with a standard engraved tang buckle. I have little more to add other than it is not the worst strap I have ever seen fitted to a low-cost watch – but very far from the best. I’d replace it immediately if I bought this watch.
What I Liked |
What I Didn’t like |
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Swan & Edgar Complexity Automatic – The WRUK Verdict
It’s a minefield reviewing Swan & Edgar watches as the brand attracts some real consternation from the watch community. If you’re already familiar with the microbrand watch world, there is nothing for you here – and if you are about to buy your first automatic watch, I could recommend lots of alternatives for a lower price. For example, AliExpress has hundreds of watches with this same movement from £40-£100. Unfortunately I can’t recommend this watch.
Buy a Swan & Edgar Complexity Automatic
If you want to buy a Swan and Edgar watch I’d recommend buying from a reputable seller like Amazon UK to take advantage of their customer service.
Swan & Edgar use a modified RK5D automatic movement in some or maybe all of their watches I can’t find any info on this movement
As far as I can tell it’s the same movement in every watch – and you’ll also find it in dozens of “Aliexpress watches” often marked as “calendar watch” – but I’ve never even been able to find a name, thanks for this!
I think Gamages of London use this movement as well on their website they advertise the watches for £600-£650 which seems obscenely overpriced you can find the exact same watches on TJC shopping channel for £99 I am sure both brands are owned by the Fields family Swan & Edgar and Gamages of London would not disclose any information to me regarding the movement I got the info from a shopping channel