Perrelet Weekend Collection Ice Blue Watch Review
The Perrelet Weekend Collection Ice Blue comprises three new models that share several components in common. By adopting this approach, Perrelet has enjoyed economies of scale, allowing it to offer a degree of refinement seldom seen in this price segment. But most notably of all, Perrelet has dressed the dial of each model in an unusual shade of blue reminiscent of clear waters and fresh mountain air.
Perrelet Watch Review
Colours have the capacity to evoke thoughts and influence our moods. For example, black is associated with the words: sensuous, brooding, secretive and sadness. Green on the other hand is linked with nature, growth and the environment. Whether deliberately or subconsciously, we tend to favour those products which resonate with our outlook on life.
When it comes to watches, blue dials have been a popular choice for a number of years, while in recent times green hues have also gained favour with many horophiles. Perrelet, recognised this some time ago, offering prospective clients a selection of watches dressed in shades of blue and tints of green.
Now, Perrelet has just unveiled three models, new additions to its longstanding Weekend Collection, each blessed with an ice blue complexion. Initially, one could dismiss these new dials as merely blue; however, I urge you to think again. Forget the usual diet of admiral, denim, lapis, midnight and navy, Perrelet transports the would-be wearer to a new colour palette that elicits new emotions and conjures fresh thoughts.
Indeed, take a moment to examine one of the ice blue dials gracing a member of this horological triumvirate and you will undoubtedly imagine frozen landscapes, wispy skies, crisp mornings and shallow seas. Personally speaking, I find this pale colour evokes optimistic thoughts. By releasing these new dial shades, Perrelet invites horophiles to view time differently.
Beyond the pure, unsullied character of the Ice Blue dials, there is much to say about each reference. Without further ado, let’s take a look at each model.
Perrelet Weekend 3-Hands Ice Blue
The Weekend 3-Hands Ice Blue is a paragon of lucidity. Slender baton-style hands engage with svelte applied batons. The centre seconds also subscribes to the sylphlike design language, reinforcing the overall perception of elegance and grace. Crisp, black strokes, positioned in between each silver-toned hour marker, aid readability.
A date display, positioned at 3 o’clock, features black Arabic numerals sat atop a white date disc. In the southern hemisphere of the dial, the word ‘Automatic’ is prominently displayed, a term perpetually linked to the Perrelet moniker. After all, Abraham-Louis Perrelet is widely attributed as the inventor of the self-winding movement, dating back to 1777.
Measuring 39 mm in diameter, the stainless steel case is enriched with a tasteful blend of polished and satin finishes, each discrete and clearly defined. The diameter of the case makes the watch suitable for a variety of wrist sizes, while the modest thickness of the Weekend 3-Hands Ice Blue, just 9.56 mm in height, means the timepiece is able to neatly reside beneath a shirt cuff.
At the heart of the watch sits the calibre Perrelet P-321, an in-house automatic movement. As part of the Festina Group, the owners of movement specialist Soprod, Perrelet has access to much expertise. Indeed, the Maison has repeatedly used this resource to create several in-house movements over the years.
The calibre Perrelet P-321 is embellished with perlage and colimaçon. It has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and contains 25 jewels. Assuming the mainspring is fully tensioned, the watch will run autonomously for 42 hours.
Perrelet Weekend GMT Ice Blue
The Weekend GMT Ice Blue proffers additional functionality. In common with the Weekend 3-Hands, this model indicates the hours, minutes, seconds and date; however, it also has the capacity to show the ‘home hour’ on a dedicated track, a useful feature for frequent flyers.
A prominent red-tipped hand collaborates with a 24-hour display, executed in two shades of blue, with the nocturnal hours presented in a darker tone. The dominant hour and minutes hand proclaim the ‘local time’. Perrelet’s rational approach to displaying the home hour in a 24-hour format helps mitigate the risk of accidentally phoning home and awakening the family at an ungodly hour.
Despite the additional complexity of the Weekend GMT Ice Blue, the watch shares the same dimensions as the Weekend 3-Hands. Once again, the case tastefully unites polished and satin finishes, conferring a seemly appearance.
To the rear of the watch, a pane of mineral glass affords sight of the calibre Perrelet P-401, an in-house automatic movement. This movement shares much in common with the aforementioned calibre Perrelet P-321, save for the oscillating mass, which is openworked on this occasion.
Perrelet Weekend 3-Hands Open Heart Ice Blue
The Weekend 3-Hands Open Heart Ice Blue eschews the date indication found on its siblings and forgoes the GMT function. By reducing the tally of indications, Perrelet has created space for the headline act, the ‘Open Heart’, a large aperture, framed with a silver border, that reveals the regulating organ and escapement.
Wearers are indulged with the fascinating spectacle of the balance wheel rotating back and forth, the balance spring breathing uniformly and the pallet lever repeatedly kissing the escape wheel.
Horological voyeurs are further pampered with views of a perlage-adorned vista located adjacent to the lyre spring and endstone that form part of the Incabloc shock absorber system. In addition, the wearer can also glimpse part of the hour wheel and minute wheel imperceptibly rotating.
While the Weekend 3-Hands Open Heart delivers an animated spectacle of parts in flight, the display remains eminently simple to read. Indeed, nobody could accuse Perrelet of sacrificing readability on the altar of style.
As stated earlier, another strategic benefit of belonging to the Festina Group is the expertise in producing in-house movements. In this instance, the Weekend 3-Hands Open Heart is fitted with the calibre Perrelet P-391. While this automatic movement is slightly different to the previously mentioned calibres, there is certainly some commonality, a characteristic that confer economies of scale.
Perrelet Weekend Collection Ice Blue – bracelets and straps
All versions of the Ice Blue can be specified with a midnight blue calfskin strap, adorned with an alligator-themed motif. The dark blue strap acts as a foil, allowing the fresh-faced dial to shine.
Perrelet also offers a 7-rows stainless steel bracelet formed of alternating polished and brushed links that collectively confer a handsome aesthetic. The clasp features two push buttons to facilitate ease of removal.
Perrelet Weekend Collection Ice Blue – closing thoughts
While all members of the Weekend Collection share a familial likeness, they each have their own character. In fact, each reference has its own skill set, whether that’s simply imparting the essentials of time in a clear and concise way, offering the benefit of seeing the prevailing hour at home when working overseas or sating the desires of mechanically curious souls with a near balletic performance of the balance.
By sharing several components across all references, Perrelet has been able to enjoy economies of scale allowing it to deliver a high quality-price ratio. For example, the case, which is common to each model, is enriched with a tasteful blend of finishes that I am more accustomed to seeing on costlier watches. Likewise, a timepiece fitted with an in-house movement of this quality usually attracts a higher price.
So far, so impressive. However, like many watch obsessives, my fondness for a watch always begins with a bewitching face. And this face is beautiful. The ice blue dial walks on virgin snow. It is as clear as distilled water and as fresh as the mountain air. Indeed, it is a colour that evokes many thoughts beyond the mere indication of time.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Perrelet Weekend 3-Hands Ice Blue
- Case: steel, diameter 39 mm, height 9.56 mm, water resistance 5 ATM (50 m), sapphire crystal to the front and mineral glass case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes, central sweep seconds, date
- Movement: Perrelet in-house calibre P-321, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 25 jewels, power reserve (fully wound) 42 hours
- Price: €1,280 (RRP as of 24.11.2023) – Reference: A1300/C (steel case/leather strap)
- Price: €1,380 (RRP as of 24.11.2023) – Reference: A1300/B (steel case/bracelet)
- Model: Perrelet Weekend GMT Ice Blue
- Case: steel, diameter 39 mm, height 9.56 mm, water resistance 5 ATM (50 m), sapphire crystal to the front and mineral glass case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes, central sweep seconds, date, GMT
- Movement: Perrelet in-house calibre P-401, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 25 jewels, power reserve (fully wound) 42 hours
- Price: €1,780 (RRP as of 24.11.2023) – Reference: A1304/A (steel case/leather strap)
- Price: €1,880 (RRP as of 24.11.2023) – Reference: A1304/7 (steel case/bracelet)
- Model: Perrelet Weekend 3-Hands Open Heart Ice Blue
- Case: steel, diameter 39 mm, height 9.56 mm, water resistance 5 ATM (50 m), sapphire crystal to the front and mineral glass case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes, central sweep seconds
- Movement: Perrelet in-house calibre P-391, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 25 jewels, power reserve (fully wound) 42 hours
- Price: €1,580 (RRP as of 24.11.2023) – Reference: A1302/A (steel case/leather strap)
- Price: €1,680 (RRP as of 24.11.2023) – Reference: A1302/9 (steel case/bracelet)
