When Mike reviewed the first release of the Trafford Crossroads in 2022, he sprinkled words like “perfection” and “superb” throughout. As I took a look at Season 3 of the Crossroads, I wanted to see what was finalized (Mike received a pre-production example), what had improved, and what had changed.
Since the first release of the Crossroads, each subsequent release represents both an evolution in the design and an area of focus for Trafford. With Season 3, the focus is on native plants of Texas: a pale green Prickly Pear, a red-orange Latana, and a purple Verbena. Among other unifying features, the one that stood out to me the most was the yellow second hand and secondary dial printing. To get a single non-neutral color to complement three other diverse colors takes exemplary color sense, which Trafford has in spades. I reviewed the Prickly Pear model, which I would characterize as sage green. Not so vibrant that it becomes the story, but more interesting than a neutral dial.
Evolving from the metallic sunburst of Season 1, the Season 3 Crossroads each have a pebbled center surrounded by a set of scalloped ridges that radiate towards the edge of the case. There’s still a hint of sunburst, but in a more refined presentation. The chapter ring echoes the green and yellow color scheme and adds visual depth with its steep angle. The smaller dial text gets a little lost in the texture, however. The bold Arabic numerals are a hallmark of the Crossroads line. They’ve retained their excellent lume performance, along with the bold open syringe hands. Mike noted that the pre-production lume was a little dim for his tastes, but my experience suggests that it has been rectified with gusto.
The custom strap that ships with each watch is a significant improvement over the Season 1 Crossroads. The initial offering shipped with well-constructed, but basic, straps in neutral colors. Season 3 pushes the color story further. The straps are fully custom for Trafford and include custom-designed patterns for the lining, leather, and keeper. Trafford retained the bespoke buckle and quick-release spring bars from the first release. The custom strap is exceptionally comfortable and requires no break-in period. My one complaint is that you can only get it with the watch; they’re not sold separately.
Given that this is the third iteration of this model, the lines of the Crossroads case are well defined. I think the smooth transition between brushed and polished surfaces matches the rounded corners and profile of the case. A sharp transition would be incongruent. The crown is wide, flat, and works perfectly with the 39mm case size. The Miyota 9039 movement is an excellent choice for this watch, providing both reliable and cost-effective timekeeping. The custom Trafford red rotor is a great reminder of what watch you’re wearing.
At $649, the Trafford Crossroads packs a powerful punch at its price point. The case is unique and refined. The already great dial design has evolved to be even greater in Season 3. The strap is just excellent, both for the watch and on its own. In short, Trafford has a winning recipe with the Crossroads Season 3, and I can’t wait to see what they cook up next. Batch 1 of the Season 3 Crossroads models sold out quickly. Head over to the website now to put in for Batch 2.
