If you’re looking for a watch with classic style that won’t break the bank, the Ambassador Heritage 1959 watch is probably one of the best you’re likely to find. This watch has timeless features for men’s watches, an understated but tasteful appearance but also doesn’t command a ridiculous price tag, either.
Ambassador Watches: Retro But Timeless
Ambassador watches were inspired, according to the story on the Ambassador Watch website, was inspired by an encounter the founder had with an actual ambassador from a foreign country in Budapest. The man was impeccably dressed, bearded and groomed, smoked a pipe, and was apparently quite the bon vivant at conversation.
One of the things the company founder noticed was a beautiful watch on the man’s wrist, which inspired him to create timepieces that were inspired by watch design of the mid-20th century, but that had a timeless appeal. The encounter with an actual diplomat inspired the name of the company.
Now, whether the story is true or not doesn’t matter. The thing is that Ambassador watches have that classic retro-inspired look, but with modern touches for better function. The watches use a time-tested operating system – the Miyota quartz movement with one complication for the day of the month – and durable construction for a long service life.
The company makes three watch faces, the 1863, the 1921 and the 1959, each inspired by aesthetics from those time periods. Each also features Ambassador’s novel strap release system, a sliding latch that allows quick changes of watch straps without needing tools as well as a more secure connection. You choose the face you want along with the strap.
Ambassador Heritage 1959 Watch Review
The Ambassador Heritage 1959 watch has a silver/white face, with rose gold-covered batons for hours, black dots for minutes, and a rose gold “A” at the 12 o’clock position. The hands – hours, minutes, seconds – are also rose gold, and the name of the watch “Ambassador 1959” is printed in black letters in the upper half of the watch face.
The watch face is textured, with concentric circles radiating outward from center.
The round case is 9mm 316-L surgical-grade steel, triple-coated in rose gold to ensure a long life of the finish. There’s a single dial for setting the time, and the back of the watch case bears the Ambassador name and winged logo. The case is 40mm in diameter, and has a dial of sapphire glass. The bezel is very slight, so it has a sleek appearance, and the watch features shorter strap lugs for a sleek feel as well.
The standard strap is black leather, with two keepers and a rose gold-coated buckle. However, with Ambassador’s quick-change strap system, you can purchase additional straps to alternate and accessorize if need be. The strap release is located on the back of the strap, so you have to turn the watch over to see them, but you can easily slide them and unlock the strap lug.
Additional watch strap choices for the Ambassador Heritage 1959 include brown and burgundy leather in addition to black, and a gold mesh strap if you prefer the appearance of a gold watch. Additional straps are just $29, should you wish to buy one.
Overall, this is a timeless and classic watch design, with retro-inspired styling. However, it has modern design touches and materials. Why does this matter?
Surgical-grade steel is some of the highest quality, as impurities cannot be present in the metal. The hardier coating also ensures the finish won’t flake away. The watch is water resistant to 3 atmospheres or 90 meters (or 99 feet) of water, so it’s very well-built. The watch also comes with a three-year warranty.
The Miyota movement, also known as the Japanese quartz movement, darn near put the Swiss watch industry out of business. Swiss watches are known for the utmost in precision and finery, but the craft requires the utmost in skilled hands. As a result, also a higher price tag.
The Miyota movement is functional first and foremost, precise but simplified and only doing what it needed to do. It requires less energy to work as well. Early Japanese watches from the 1960s and 1970s were known for being as well-made as Swiss watches, but not being as precise though they have caught up in terms of precision.
It’s like cars; a Toyota is not necessarily as well-built as a BMW and lacks the finery that upscale cars are known for. However, a Supra will keep up with a 3-series on the track and spend less time in the shop. Eventually, however, Lexus came along and has every bit the refinement and power.
This has the benefit of lowering cost without sacrificing quality of timekeeping.
So, be in no doubt: this is an affordable luxury watch. It’s restrained, though; classy, elegant and timeless while having a retro appearance. You could picture Don Draper or George Clooney wearing one. It would go just as well with jeans and a smart button-up shirt as it would with a three-piece suit or even a tuxedo.
And at only $199? That’s a steal. There are Fossil watches that cost close to that and don’t even compare in terms of build quality and appearance. Not only is this a great men’s watch, it’s almost too good to pass up.
If you’re looking for a classic, stylish timepiece we thoroughly recommend it. Check out the Heritage 1959 over at ambassadorwatches.com
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