Dennison releases the shock ALD Mini, blurring the lines between microbrand wristwatches and jewellery
Tom Austin- Dennison has released a new evolution of its now-iconic ALD collection, the ALD Mini, and an additional configuration, the ALD Mini Dual Time.
- The ALD Mini is a new expression of Emmanuel Gueit’s rounded cushion case design, scaling it down to an almost miniature 24.2mm x 22mm and just 6mm thick.
- The Mini Dual Time, rather than a new watch on its own, is two ALD Minis stacked together, linked together through a quick-release connection system, allowing for an expressive, dual-watch look that can be mixed and matched.
It was only 3 weeks ago when we were treated to Dennison’s latest, and typically stunning ALD Dual Time, and when I introduced it, I spoke about how difficult it is to envision what might come next for the ALD. Emmanuel Gueit, the watch designer working closely with Dennison, clearly doesn’t seem to suffer from the same problem. However, Emmanuel once told me, after I shared an image of my own personal ALD on a suede strap, that he found it challenging at times because the brand, in its earlier days, was quite insistent that things had to be a certain way. Since that conversation, though, things have shifted. Not only have we seen Dennison’s on suede straps, but we also got the double-dialled Dual Time and diamond-encrusted cases, so it’s safe to say that Dennison has relaxed a little with its approach to exciting designs for the ALD. Now, Dennison has taken the model a significant step further, introducing the ALD Mini, alongside a new double-watch configuration, the Mini Dual Time.
Firstly, it’s important to mention that the ALD is by no means a large watch. At 35.6mm wide and with a lug-to-lug of 37mm, it sits at that perfect point as a unisex dress watch, and with a thickness of just 6.1mm, it suits pretty much everyone’s wrists. This new model shifts that slightly, with the ALD Mini taking on a more feminine aesthetic in terms of proportion. The rounded cushion design synonymous with the ALD, while this time it has been scaled down to just 24.2mm wide by 22mm, and shaved 0.1mm off the thickness, bringing it to 6mm on the nose.
The Mini is available in a full house of variations: polished stainless steel, gold PVD, and the flagship diamond-set version, although unlike the standard ALD, each Mini comes set with a 0.044-carat, FG, VS2 diamond in the crown. Even though the dimensions have been scaled down, we’re still given a water resistance of 30 metres, meaning the watch is still perfectly wearable for day-to-day use.
The ALD Mini makes good use of this more compact design, too, offering a completely new configuration that is certainly more fashion-led than functional. Utilising a quick-release connection system that links into the hidden lug portion beneath the case, you can connect two ALD Mini’s together to create the ALD Mini Dual Time, a new configuration that allows the wearer to mix and match ALD’s of all configurations to pair with whatever outfit you want, stone dials and all. As yet, it’s unclear if you can use the special links to create a full Dennison ALD bracelet with around 8 of them, but I have no doubt that someone will try.
As for the dials, Dennison hasn’t skipped anything here, offering a full suite of colourful stone dials. On offer are Malaysian pink jade, aventurine, jadeite, lapis lazuli, red jasper, onyx, mother-of-pearl, and finally malachite, each offering a different perspective and aesthetic, some perhaps more unisex than others. Overall, it comes as no shock that Dennison offers such a comprehensive range, and it fits well with this new model being such an expressive, fashion-led piece. Aside from the clean set of hands and a simple Dennsion logo, the dial is just as legible as ever, free of any distraction and clutter, allowing the material to do the talking.
Of course, the ALD Mini is quartz-powered, just like its bigger brother, and beneath the snap-on case back, you will find the battery-powered Swiss Ronda 1032 movement, the same as you would find in the larger Dual Time model. Finally, if you want to wear just a single ALD Mini, there are several strap and bracelet options to choose from, including a rather dressy bark-mesh bracelet, finished in steel or gold PVD, or extra-long, wrist-covering leather straps, both of which truly help the ALD Mini blur the line between wristwatches and jewellery.
Dennison ALD Mini & ALD Mini Dual Time pricing and availability
The Dennison ALD Mini is available to pre-order now across multiple configurations in the Time+Tide shop and at the Time+Tide studios in London, New York and Melbourne. Price: Standard Models Stainless Steel & Gold PVD: From US$1,180/€1,030/CHF 950, Diamond Set Models: From US$5,600/€4,870/CHF 4,490
| Brand | Dennison |
| Model | ALD Mini & ALD Mini Dual Time |
| Case Dimensions | 24.2mm (D) x 6mm (T) x 22mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Polished stainless steel, gold PVD, diamond-set |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Malaysian Pink Jade + Aventurine, Jadeite + Lapis Lazuli, Red Jasper + Onyx, Mother-ofPearl + Malachite |
| Bracelet | Bark-mesh bracelet in steel or gold PVD, leather strap options |
| Movement | Swiss Ronda quartz ref. 1032 |
| Power Reserve | ~6 years |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, optional dual-time configuration |
| Availability | Available now to pre-order at Time+Tide Shop |
| Price | From US$1,180/€1,030/CHF 950 – standard models From US$5,600/€4,870/CHF 4,490 – diamond set |