Wristwatch Review: The Innovative ADNA XXL

As summer comes to a close, I've been wearing a great new watch that I recently received courtesy of the folks at ADNA.  It's called the ADNA XXL and it combines the comfort of a silicone band, the innovation of interchangeable straps, and the business like look of a diver-style watch.

Watch Dimensions. The ADNA XXL is a large watch with a movement that is surrounded by a silicone strap.  The overall width of the watch is 52 millimeters.  However, despite the large size, the ADNA XXL is a lightweight and comfortable watch.  While it has a stainless steel caseback, the case is made of heavy duty PVC and the strap is made of silicone.  I find the weight of the ADNA XXL light and comfortable.

Watch Dial Style. The ADNA XXL is available in a variety of styles.  Since they are uni-sex watches, you can get them with straps in a wide variety of colors.  However, the core watch comes in with a strong, masculine, diver-style look.  Each watch has numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock.  The date window sits just inboard of the 3 o'clock marker.  The bezel rotates unidirectionally with satisfying clicks.  The rotating bezel has a clean design markings in 10 minute intervals and the ADNA name occupying the 12 o'clock position.
 

Watch Construction.  I'm rough on watches.  Unfortunately, I tend to whack my wristwatches into hallway walls and door frames when I round corners.  Typically, I like a strongly built, all metal watch, but the ADNA XXL takes a different approach to cornering.  When I incidentally bang the watch into a wall or door frame, my ADNA XXL bounces off without a scratch.  The silicone strap does an awesome job of protecting the watch.  So far, I haven't gotten any scratches at all.

While the ADNA XXL is a first and foremost a fashion watch, it is built to be water resistant to 3 atmospheres (100 feet).  That's enough water resistance to protect against accidental dunkings and rain.  The Seiko quartz watch movement resides in a strongly built PVC case protected by the silicone band.  With the ADNA XXL you get a nice combination of strength and light weight.

Watch Pricing. My ADNA XXL has already drawn compliments.  Yet, it is currently priced at a refreshingly affordable $99.  That seems just right for this watch.  It also puts the ADNA XXL in the same ballpark as a typical Fossil or Relic watch.  But, as a novel and newly introduced timepiece, the ADNA XXL will be relatively rare on American wrists for some time to come. 

Overall, I like the ADNA XXL and it has quickly become one of my favorite watches for daily wear.