Hands-on: The Electricianz x Label Noir Edition watch

The Electricianz emerged from the SevenFriday watch craze (literally a co-founder split off to create this brand) and represents an interesting niche in the enthusiast watch space that is difficult to define. SevenFriday introduced the idea that a designer watch could be wild and novel in design, with a youthful, playful and imaginative element. These types of watches are not cheap because they are not mass-produced, but they are also rarely available in the luxury segment. In addition, these do not use traditional materials, themes or forms and try to invent interesting, often futuristic directions that stimulate the imagination more than classicism. Intended to be fun and fashionable rather than serious or instrumental, these inspired watches require both the right kind of playful personality and the right mood to enjoy them. This concept can be so difficult to execute, in this case The Electricianz has collaborated with Geneva-based label Noir to introduce this latest “MecaLine” of watches from the quirky brand.

The MecaLine is (to my knowledge) the first watch from The Electricianz to use a mechanical movement combined with an electronic LED-based lighting system. So far, all The Electricianz watches I’ve tested are based on quartz movements, and now the company is taking a new step by trying to figure out how audiences will react to a hybrid approach. Essentially, the case contains both a standard Miyota 82S0 3Hz automatic mechanical movement and a battery-based light system operated via the additional pusher at the 2 o’clock position on the case. The blue light is fun and allows you to read the time in the dark. The Electricianz’s lighting system uses five LED lights and two batteries that are visible through the dial if you know what you’re looking at under the decorative bridges.

Most of Label Noir’s collaboration watches have this black and blue color theme – in this case paired with the numbers “0” and “1” (binary code) as decoration on both the crystal and the bracelet. This makes for an interesting and entertaining style that helps users understand the “cyber culture” that such a watch design is intended to appeal to. The case is 46mm wide (the inner case is made of steel) and has a lugless design that is very comfortable on the wrist. The case is made of a carbon composite material, which is probably made using an injection molding process. The result is not exactly luxurious, but is a subtle black textured surface that is lightweight and represents another manufacturing approach to making a watch case. The case is also water resistant to 50 meters and features a K1 mineral crystal on the dial. I would have preferred sapphire, but given the particular shape and printing of the glass, using this material for the crystal component would probably have increased the price of the watch significantly.

When it comes to novelty style collectible watches, the watches manufactured by The Electricianz are far better than most other watches as they are ergonomically designed to meet the needs of people who desire good legibility and a certain level of sophistication in design. This The Electricianz x Label Noir Edition watch is full of whimsy and playfulness, but also serves its purpose as a watch relatively well, offering an easy-to-read dial and a comfortable feel. However, anyone who is used to vintage-style tool watches or more classically inspired timepieces probably won’t understand how they can incorporate something like this The Electricianz x Label Noir Edition MecaLine watch into their lifestyle, and that’s totally fine So.

The strap attached to the case is made from an Alcantara-like suede material, which feels comfortable against the skin and is a more welcome material than, say, rubber or something else that would have felt cheaper. The interesting and unique design of this watch is fun, provided you understand what The Electricianz and Label Noir were going for. The price of the watch The Electricianz x Label Noir Edition is $575. For more information, see The Electricianz website.