Embrace The Nature: First Look At The New Alexander Shorokhoff Neva Green
Editor’s note: Recently we covered the launch of the Alexander Shorokhoff Neva. Introducing today, is the latest version of the same watch, the new Alexander Shorokhoff Neva Green, this time cloaked in a mesmerising, you guessed it, green. Since the specifications are the same, the following is simply our first impression of the timepiece. You can read more about it in our previous, more detailed coverage here. For our other hands-on reviews including those of Alexander Shorokhoff watches, please head to our dedicated hands-on reviews section here.
Garden Of Solace
Care to ever observe nature at its prime in the faintly emerging light of the rising morn? Dew drops slowly slither off a green leaf, precariously hanging on, wondering what to do next, taking what seems an eternity to hit the soil, freshening the thirsty earth.
Looking at nature can be quite comforting, especially these days. We live in testing times. From natural disasters to viruses to human conflicts, there is always something hacking at the very being of our existence.
One way that people employ to escape the heat of the larger-than-life events is being a part of nature and embracing it. Sometimes simply observing a river stream along or a garden hang with all its flowery beauty can do the trick.
Taking an idyllic stroll through the gardens of the worlds can sometimes provide with a necessary soothing environment, to reflect on our thoughts and get lost in the beauty of nature.
Nature’s serene and peaceful moments lend us with calm and hope. The quiet, silent rivers and the life-affirming green landscape provide for the remedy of the soul. And if you are someone who admires nature, and love rare horological manifestations, you would love the new Alexander Shorokhoff Neva Green.
Like a garden of solace, this latest version of the AS Neva limited-edition series interprets the majestic beauty of the Lagoda Lake region of the Neva River in Russia, and puts its timeless charm right on your wrist.
The Colour Of The Season
The new Alexander Shorokhoff Neva’s choice of dial colour is special in two ways: one, when I reviewed the first silver/white models, I remember requesting to see more green on the dial, courtesy a verse from the Russian poet Aleksandr Pushkin’s poem ‘The Bronze Horseman’ that reads “… With dark-green gardens’ gorgeous locks…”. So it’s no surprise that the new interpretation from the brand is definitely welcome by me.
And two, have you looked at the new releases from Watches & Wonders 2021? There is a healthy overdose of green coloured beauties from a number of brands. If a colour was to represent the spirit of the watches from this year, it would be green.
“Nature always wears the colours of the spirit”, said Ralph Waldo Emerson.
This year, post 2020’s first brush with Covid, has been a year of green watch releases, and like nature itself, the new Alexander Shorokhoff Neva Green wears the colours of the spirit of 2021.
Clothed in green, its wavy-guilloched dial is the real deal; it’s a stunning timepiece from an eclectic brand that’s always pushing the boundaries that suitably follow its guiding principle of ‘Art on the wrist’.
The Specifications
The new Alexander Shorokhoff Neva Green features a 43.5mm diameter and 11.5mm thick brushed and polished case with one-sided anti-reflective coated and cambered sapphire front and 50m water-resistance.
Inside it beats the partially hand-engraved and hand-wound calibre AS.3105 that is based on the Russian Poljot caliber 3105 — which in turn is derived from the Swiss Valjoux caliber 7734 minus the chronograph function — and provides for a decent 42-hour power-reserve.
Like most of Alexander Shorokhoff’s work, the movements have gone through modifications and decorations. The Russian Poljot caliber 3105 has been completely overhauled, re-oiled, adjusted and tested, along with featuring partially hand-engraved — or cloud-cut — and finished bridges. The screws have been polished and blued, and the movement is on display through the exhibition case-back.
There are two versions, one available on a crocodile leather strap and one on a Milanese strap, both limited to 49-pieces only. The version with the matching leather strap, the ref. AS.NEV01-5, is our favourite of the lot, and retails for only 1’950 AUD.
That Extra Attention To Detail
Just like the first versions, there are two levels of dial at play here: the top green wave-shaped guilloché dial and the slightly sunken lower dial with the contrasting sub-dial and the branding. When I look at them in comparison, I find this version more balanced, given the outer minute-track flange in silvery-white demarcates the dial, allowing for the green to be more prominent.
I particularly like the contrasts not only of the colours but also of the textures on the dial: the wave-guilloched main dial is beautifully framed by a concentric-circled minute track, whose snailing is also represented in the small second’s counter at 9’o clock. I also appreciate that the ‘Made in Germany’ text at 6 is symmetrically mirrored with the ‘Limited Edition’ text at 12.
Feel The Melody
There is always music being made by nature. Men walk, crunching the dried leaves fallen during autumn. Birds leave their nests, the song of their flapping wings pulsating through the skies. Streams bounce against the adamant rocks, crashing and thundering. Babbling brooks and running waters make a rhythmic sound. The blowing of wind on the leaves of the green foliage of nature brings to fore a rustling sound.
Nature is never really quiet; even when it appears to be asleep, one can still hear the music of life turning its cogs.
The new Alexander Shorokhoff Neva Green is a reminder of the beautiful embodiment of this melody of our co-existence.
To find out more about the new Alexander Shorokhoff Neva Green and other AS watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise specified are ©2021 Copyright Alexander Shorokhoff Uhrenmanufaktur GmbH. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2021 releases here.
