One of our favourite British brands is back with a new watch – their ninth edition. Is the WT Author Final Countdown as good as their previous watches?
WT Author Final Countdown Review
Just launched on Kickstarter, the Final Countdown is the latest, limited British-built watch from boutique brand WT Author. We’ve loved the last three of their watches and were excited to see what they describe as a “mad 80s vibe”.
At a glance |
WT Author Final Countdown |
Price |
£350 (Kickstarter price) |
Case size |
44mm (excluding crown) |
Thickness |
13.4mm |
Water Resistance |
10 ATM |
Movement |
Miyota 9015 |
The packaging has not yet been completed for this prototype, but expect something similar to WT Author’s other watches (click here for our reviews)
Case and Movement
The WT Author Final Countdown is, I am glad to report, fitted with a Miyota 9015 movement. The choice of an 8-series was the one thing that I felt spoiled the No.1973, which still gets regular wrist time. The casework is certainly quirky on this watch, which has the appearance of a square section sat on top of a more regular watch case. On top of that is a bezel with a great finish and 3D embossed numerals.
The casework is well finished and features the brand’s signature anodised aluminium red crown and a display case back. The main section of the watch has a matt finish, which looks good. The case wears large – square watches always do – and the crown, despite being at 4 O’clock – still protrudes. It wasn’t uncomfortable to wear, but I did notice I was wearing it a lot and despite its thinner-than-expected 13.4mm thickness I’d struggle to hide it under a shirt sleeve.
Dial and Hands
The dial is a flat printed design. I wish it had the U shaped applied markers seen in some of WT Author’s other watches (they are on the bezel instead) and found it a bit lifeless for my tastes. The printing is clear enough, and there are several colour choices.
The hands are basic sticks with applied lume. They’re inoffensive and easy to read. The date at 4 is a nice touch – WT Author has managed to make it line up properly – it drives me crazy when the date appears at 4.30 instead of directly in line!
Strap and Buckle
The rubber strap that is supplied with the Final Countdown is excellent. It’s soft, supple and very comfortable. In many ways, it offsets some of the bulkiness of the watch, as if it was riding up and down on the wrist it could soon get uncomfortable.
The buckle is steel, with an acceptable finish and a small engraved logo.
WT Author Final Countdown – Video Review
What I Liked |
What I Didn’t like |
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WT Author Final Countdown – The WRUK Verdict
Overall, I’m not as impressed by the Final Countdown as I was by WT Author’s previous watches. That’s not to say it is a bad watch – it’s built brilliantly and the strap, in particular, is superb. I just found that – for me – the case design is a bit too “out there” and I felt self-conscious wearing it.
If you like the looks of this watch and are wondering whether to back it, then go for it. The specifications and build quality are excellent, and WT Author has a good track record of delivering their preorders.
Buy a WT Author Final Countdown
You can back the WT Author Final Countdown over at Kickstarter for the next few weeks: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wt-author-watch-co/limited-edition-automatic-tool-watches/
