From the heart of Glasgow, a city steeped in industrial heritage yet vibrantly beating with contemporary creativity emerges AnOrdain, a watchmaker quietly revolutionizing the landscape of horology. Their latest offering, the Model 2 Racing Green, is not merely a timepiece; it is a miniature canvas of vitreous enamel, a testament to artisanal dedication, and a potent symbol of British racing pedigree, all coalescing in a watch that transcends mere functionality to become a wearable work of art. This is not mass production; this is considered creation, a deliberate slowing of time itself to craft something truly exceptional.
AnOrdain’s claim to distinction lies, undeniably, in their mastery of vitreous enamel dial production – a rare and demanding craft practised in-house by a select team of master enamellers and their meticulously trained apprentices. Within their purpose-built Glasgow workshop, a symphony of controlled heat and precise handwork unfolds as each dial comes to life. The journey from a raw copper blank to a richly coloured, flawlessly finished surface is a labour of love, a minimum twelve-hour odyssey entrusted to a single enamelled.
Years of accumulated experience guide every stage, from the delicate application of enamel powders to the repeated firings that fuse glass to metal, creating a depth of colour and a subtle undulation unique to each piece. The ‘Racing Green’ hue, in particular, is a triumph. A deep, resonant emerald, it is a colour deeply ingrained in the British psyche, instantly evoking images of legendary racing marques and verdant landscapes, a shade that speaks of both heritage and a certain quiet confidence.
Beyond the dial’s captivating depth, the AnOrdain Model 2 Racing Green showcases hands of equally considered design and execution. Unlike the stamped and uniform hands found in many timepieces, these are individual works of art in themselves. Each hand is meticulously polished before undergoing a precisely controlled thermal treatment process, performed entirely in AnOrdain’s Glasgow atelier.
This tempering imbues the metal with a distinctive ‘straw’ finish, a subtle warmth that complements the cool depth of the enamel dial. Further enhancing their functionality and visual appeal, the hour and minute hands are ingeniously designed to cradle luminous Super-Luminova tips. This thoughtful detail, evocative of a hand poised to write with a fountain pen, not only provides nocturnal legibility but also adds a touch of whimsical elegance to the overall design.
Encased within a brushed 36mm or 39.5mm case, the Model 2 offers a choice of reliable Sellita SW210-1 or La Joux-Perret G101 movements, ensuring dependable timekeeping within this artisanal shell. Sapphire crystal, treated with six layers of anti-reflective coating, protects the dial, offering unimpeded views of the enamel’s subtle nuances. A solid, screw-in case back provides 5ATM water resistance and, importantly, serves as a canvas for bespoke engraving.
AnOrdain understands the desire for personalization in luxury, offering both textual and topographical engraving options to transform the case back into a unique expression of the owner’s story. A robust five-year warranty further underscores the brand’s confidence in the enduring quality of their creations.
The AnOrdain Model 2 Racing Green is more than a watch that simply tells time. It is a wearable embodiment of artistry, heritage, and considered design. In a world of mass-produced commodities, AnOrdain offers a different path – one of slow, deliberate creation, of human skill elevated to an art form. For the discerning collector who appreciates true craftsmanship and seeks a timepiece with a soul, the Model 2 Racing Green, emerging from a Glasgow workshop steeped in passion, is a compelling proposition, a limited-edition jewel of horological artistry in a captivating emerald guise.
