WEARING IT
On the wrist the watch is quite comfortable and, with its polish and and quick to buckle. The two wide keepers effectively kept the strap
distinctive bezel, casually elegant. Moderately thick at a hair over end restrained. If you prefer another color, or would like a Milanese-
12.4mm, the 42mm steel case is polished, which of course can retain type steel strap, Diefendorff offers options on its website for very
fingerprints more so than a matte or a lacquered bezel. But as noted reasonable prices.
at the start of this review, the bezel also features large and small
horizontal lines, all of which more or less mitigate this tendency with a DISTINCTIVE OFFERINGS
diverting, eye-catching design. Diefendorff founder James Reeves has seriously linked his own
A look at the back of the watch reveals a customized Swiss
ancestral trail to this collection. He honors his Swiss roots with a
red rotor. Though at first glance the rotor’s hue reminded me of the Swiss-made movement (and a name that doesn’t roll off the tongue)
color Oris uses on its oscillating weights (many of which are also while also utilizing domestically sourced straps and a U.S.-based
supplied by Sellita), Diefendorff is careful to break up the design a bit final assembly process. As a bonus, Reeves founded Diefendorff as
by applying its distinctive company logo. The rest of the movement officially ‘carbon neutral’ and donates ten percent of its profits to
is relatively plain, with no additional décor applied. I expect this basic environmental charities.
treatment with watches in this price range.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t note the terrific black leather strap at-
tached to the Diefendorff Cornelius 1776 I wore.
Unlike other brand new leather watchstraps I’ve worn, this 22mm
Thus, the Diefendorff company tag line, “We are the American
watch company for people who do life differently,” seems to be an
appropriate summary of Reeves’ intentions.
If you’re in the market for a nicely designed casual-wear auto-
vegetable-dyed strap (supplied by an American company) with con- matic watch with numerous distinctive design elements, and are an
trasting cream stitching was particularly supple. There’s no break-in American history buff to boot, Diefendorff has four options you’d en-
period necessary for these straps, as they arrive comfortably flexible joy within this debut Cornelius 1776 collection. Prices start at $899.
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