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MICRO MONDAYS: The Ark from Jacob Veil might be the best value integrated bracelet watch around MICRO MONDAYS: The Ark from Jacob Veil might be the best value integrated bracelet watch around

MICRO MONDAYS: The Ark from Jacob Veil might be the best value integrated bracelet watch around

Thor Svaboe

Let’s not beat around the bush, I can see it too. The Gerald Genta influence is strong here, but in a somewhat butcher presence than other arboreally named references and porthole-alike wristwear. So before you start throwing punches, yes, certain design cues are notable in The Ark from Jacob Veil. But maybe those cues have become popular for a reason so we shouldn’t be too sensitive. Is it a homage? I’d say no, in the same way as the Bell&Ross BR05, once decried and dissected, is now a big success for the very same reasons.

The Ark from Jacob Veil certainly has a strong presence, and yes, the main reason for that is the flat-topped, non-octagonal bezel – it’s actually 12-sided (my Latin fails me here) – but it’s delivered in a way that’s weapon-like and tough.  Juriaan Rolink, the founder of the brand is refreshingly honest about the Genta inspiration that brings us this more muscular interpretation of Gerald’s immortal designs. Notably, however, there are a few key twists and they include a starting price of $474 USD, which is a knockout price for an automatic with an integrated bracelet.

This integrated bracelet pitches this watch straight into the most fiercely contested category du jour.  It’s a very solid looking H-link bracelet in 316L steel that is satin-brushed with a delicate bevel to the edges which, judging from the shots, delivers exemplary value for the price.

The case has the familiar kink of the Royal Oak and the Laureato right down to the people’s choice, Maurice Lacroix, so nothing new here. But it is a superbly ergonomic way of interacting with your wrist shape to deliver maximum comfort.

The case sides are sharp, and there’s an interesting Jacob Veil twist in the bold and bevelled crown guards shielding a large tool watch crown with a central groove matching the edge of the crown guards. The dial itself has got a nice depth to it, a minute track on the angled rehaut, and bold applied indices and skeletonised hands with their own intrinsic language. 

The Ark comes in four colours including a luscious petrol green that appeals to me, being a great match to the brushed steel and underlining the sharp detail of the horizontally grooved dial. The bold case shape works well, and is available in two sizes, a goldilocks 39mm, and a brasher 43.5mm with a 13.4mm thickness. So yes, the Ark has got definite presence on the wrist with the benefit of choice, an impact further amplified by the bezel and sharply bevelled brushed case. 

I’m counting about eight different surface variations on the case side, including a deep groove in the bezel side creating more interest. The case back is numbered, fixed with six screws, and has a gold coloured rotor above the microbrand favourite Myiota 9015 movement to give it an accurate heart. As a watch with Super-Luminova BGW9 lume included, too, The Ark from Jacob Veil, offers quite a lot more than the sum of its parts.

The Ark from Jacob Veil, price and availability:

The Ark has a starting price of $474 USD on a steel bracelet. For more details on the launch, visit Jacob Veil right here, and their Kickstarter page here

Made in partnership with Jacob Veil. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.