It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for unusual case shapes, especially when looking for special occasion watches. I’m always up for something avant-garde or unusual. So when the opportunity to review the Tremont L003 came up in The Time Bum writer’s chat, I immediately said yes.
The Tremont L003 draws clear inspiration from the Cartier Pebble, a watch produced in limited numbers (as few as six, according to some estimates) by Cartier London in the 1960s. The main things Tremont borrows from the Pebble are the case and crystal shape. It’s an iconic design with zero hard edges and a mirror-polished and smoothly curved surface that Tremont does extremely well. In all other aspects, Tremont took the idea and ran in their own direction.
At a mere 33mm diameter and 6.8mm thick (slightly smaller than the original Pebble), the watch weighs next to nothing on my wrist. While the back of the case is flat, the hidden lugs provide enough of a curve that the watch fits flush against my wrist. Thinking back to a memorable black tie wedding in the middle of summer, this watch would have been the perfect accessory for slipping under the cuff of a tuxedo shirt. No chance that it’d get caught with the rounded profile of the case. This diameter means that it’s a fantastic dress accessory for any gender.
The only pointy aspect of the entire watch is the crown, which comes to an almost sharp peak, although the watch is small enough that I never felt the crown while moving my wrist. The crown is almost hidden and quite small, even for me, and the tiny ladies’ watch crowns I’m used to. I had to operate it with my fingernail, so it’s a good thing that the movement is a reliable Miyota 9T22 quartz movement. It’s very much a set it and forget it mechanism unless you need to switch time zones.
The mirror-polished case suggests that this is a watch meant for a garden party, not for gardening. The finish perfectly accents the rounded profile and extends to the back and the buckle. This gives the watch a very unified look, making the side seam of the two-part case essentially disappear. The four screws holding the case back means that the water resistance is only 30m. That’s more than adequate for formal functions and parties. Something tells me that if you end up swimming with this watch on, your night did not go as anticipated. I think going for screws instead of a friction fit case was a good choice on Tremont’s part. The screws ensure that someone with a steady hand should have no issues changing the battery without scratching the case. Opening the case with a pen knife would be much more perilous to the finish.
Another place Tremont put their own spin on the watch is the dial design. The case design screams mid-century modern or Bauhaus. I think the choice to use a sans serif font for the numerals really leans into that aesthetic. A serif font would have been incongruous. The numerals flow smoothly from the center circle to the rounded square edges of the crystal. This nicely mirrors the shape of the case itself and unifies the whole watch. Blued hands add a subtle hint of color.
With a case so simple, it’s hard to ignore the strap. Tremont includes an Italian leather strap with a black crocodile pattern and quick-release pins as the stock option on the silver model. There is a brown matte strap on the gold colorway. The 16mm strap on my watch is pliable and comfortable to wear. The stock strap tapers from 16mm at the lugs to 14mm at the buckle. I would also like to see strap options with a stronger taper down to 12mm. I think that would enhance the slim aesthetic and make the L003 an attractive accessory for a wider array of outfits.
Black is a perfectly expected choice for a classic dress watch, but I perused my own strap collection to explore other color combinations. Because the design is simple, matching the strap color to other parts of your outfit would definitely make a statement. Blue, yellow, white, or even purple would all look excellent. Just make sure that the strap is around 3mm or less – the hidden lugs are unforgiving in that respect. The signed, polished buckle is a vaguely Art Deco shape that I think works well with the rounded case.
If you’re looking for something beyond a basic dress watch, the Tremont L003 has a lot to offer. The well-executed case and thoughtful design combine to form a compelling package at a bargain price. Tremont is currently offering a presale of the L003 in both the silver and gold colorways for under $200. The watch is currently expected to ship in August of this year, so I suggest you click over to their website to check it out.
