Today we are taking a look at a small microbrand called Hirwill from Sweden which was founded back in 2017 through Kickstarter with their first collection called 01. The owner of the company is a chap named Henrik. This company I chose because a couple of my readers sent me a message about this company and asked if this is a fashion brand or they make real watches. Hirwill sent me one of their newer timepieces from the 015 collection. Well at first glance they look like fashion watches as they have a pretty high price at 325$ and has only a Miyota quartz movement. On their website, they say that they assemble each watch by hand in Sweden, but they don’t mention where they are made so I assume it is China, but with all that, it is still too much for a watch like that. So that’s why I put it in fashion watch category even before I dive into the review!

The Hirwill was shipped in a small cardboard box, the box is nothing special, but the story isn’t about the box, but the watch. The first impressions are actually pretty good, the watch looks pretty cool! I like the case design and the black leather strap with white contrasting stitching! Also taking it in hand it isn’t light, but rather heavy for a small watch like this at 38mm.

The case of the Hirwill is made of 316L stainless steel. The case has a cylinder-shaped case, with nice distinct and sharp geometrical lines and edges. The machine work is done quite well and the whole case feels very precisely made! The PVD gold coating provides a brushed brass-like look. The PVD gold coating is titanium nitride + gold). The case measures 38mm in diameter and 47mm lug to lug. The size, in my opinion, is really good, it isn’t big or small, it is just perfect! The crown is at 3 o’clock and consists of a three-part construction with an embossed logo in the shape of the Hirwill bird. The crown has nice grip and it is very easy to manipulate. The solid screw-in case back is very simple with Hirwill bird logo engraved on the back. On top of the watch sits a domed sapphire crystal with AR coating, but the coating doesn’t do much job as it is really hard to photograph this watch. The water resistance is 5ATM (50m) so it can withstand only handwash and rain, but no swimming.

The dial they say on the website that it is dark blue, but in reality and sun, it actually looks just black. I don’t know if it is my eyes, but I couldn’t see any blue hints in any moments+ while I was wearing the watch (and btw I spent around 2-3 months wearing it). The applied hour markers are in the same colour as the case. The markers at 12, 3, 6 and 9 are shaped in different shapes (square, triangle, hexagon and circle). Interesting idea and gives the very simple dial some detail. The diamond-cut hands are also coated in the same colour as the case.

The movement inside the Hirwill is Miyota 2305 quartz movement. The movement isn’t anything special so I won’t talk about it, so let’s jump right to the strap. The strap is a black leather strap with white vintage stitching. The leather is super nice to touch and it is made from Swedish vegetable tanned leather from Tärnsjö Garveri, one of few remaining tannery houses that still use the traditional method of organical vegetable tanning. Instead of using harmful chemicals, the needed acidity is retrieved from tree bark. The leather ages over time, creating a unique patina. The strap is really supple and wears very comfortable on my wrist. The strap size is 20mm so if you would like to swap strap for a different one, there are plenty to choose from other strap makers. The tang style buckle is also coated in the same coating as the case and the buckle is signed with Hirwill logo.

Overall the watch is well built, it looks good and feels like a nice watch, but I just can’t justify the pretty high price! If it was 150-200$ then yes, but 325$ is just too much as you can buy watches for the same or even less money with automatic movements from microbrands and even Seiko, Orient or Timex. But if you buy it for the looks and you really like it, go and check them out!

Price: 325$ @ hirwill.com

Specifications