I’m not ashamed to say that I have been stalking Paulin watches from afar for a long time. British made, brightly coloured, design-led little works of art. It’s totally my vibe. Lucky for me I can always rely on my good friend Vincent (Mainspring) to make things happen.

The trouble was picking just one watch to review as there is not one design I don’t love, a dilemma which was cemented when I got to meet the team in person during Time To Watches in Geneva. You better believe I tried on every piece they had with them like a kid in a proverbial candy store. But before I go into further details of my splendid time with the Neo D, an automatic beauty in quite possibly my favourite colour combination red and pink, I think it would be wise to tell you a little bit more about Paulin.

About Paulin

Paulin began their story on the streets of Glasgow in 2013. Two sisters with a very clear identity and mission to create watches inspired by incredible art and architecture, using artisan processes and bespoke elements at a price point that won’t make your eyes water. Now a sister company of the infamous Anordain, another Glaswegian watchmaker specialising in bespoke enamel dialed watches with a waitlist longer than the queue for the men’s toilets at Watches and Wonders.

My First Impressions

Aeast for the detail oriented mind. Back to the task at hand and my first time experiencing a Paulin. I chose the Neo D because it was the watch I fell instantly in love with when I first set eyes on their Instagram page well over a year ago. As you will see from my photos, red and pink are my jam. It’s not an obvious colour mash, but in the right ratio, it’s divine! 

The vivid colour is not to be taken for granted. It’s created using galvanised aluminium made in house, which is notoriously hard to make, resulting in a vivid, almost holographic effect. The bold bespoke numerals took inspiration from Dutch designer Wim Crouwel who created geometric typography in a clear and stylised way. The design itself harkens back to yesteryear, helped by its domed hesalite and the clear nod to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the relationship between art deco and post modernism. 

Everything about this watch is considered and part of the fabric and history of the legacy of the Glaswegian arts and crafts movement. It’s very special indeed. This watch is by no means a tool watch, indicated in the lack of minute tracks, but I agree with this design choice. It would clutter an otherwise minimalist, yet bold dial. Not satisfied with all these bespoke details, team Paulin went one step further and designed their own bespoke hands including a brilliant skeleton hour hand, which are a triumph and make my detail oriented brain extremely happy. 

The way the hand glides over the dial and frames the time, highlighting the beautiful typography is extremely satisfying. The universally sized 38mm case is a no frills design, practical and made to fit the sturdy automatic Seiko NH35A movement. Something else they developed in house (these guys are so efficient). Using the box hesalite crystal to make the watch appear slimmer than its 11.6mm thickness (inc crystal) suggests. I know some collectors are allergic to hesalite crystals, but there are many positives like the absence of reflections, being lightweight and easy to buff out scratches. If hesalite is not for you Paulin makes many other models where you can opt for a sapphire crystal at no extra cost.

The Neo D has a respectable 50m of water resistance, so not a watch you would take to the beach, but great for any other circumstance. My loaner watch came on a black nylon strap, which is made from recycled plastic, which, although I loved the clasp, I didn’t love the strap, it was itchy and kept coming loose on my small 13.5cm wrist. But the great thing about Paulin is they give you multiple choices of strap and bracelet options to find something for anyone’s preference. The lug width is 18mm so in keeping with the vintage aesthetic, but easy to find straps to fit.

The Wearing Experience

I was lucky enough to enjoy this for a few weeks, which meant I got a true idea how the Neo D fits into everyday life. To put it simply, it’s a joy to wear. The colourful dial adds a touch of fun to any outfit. I even took it with me to the mountains, which cemented its exuberance against the fresh white snow. This watch kept me looking at my wrist and I couldn’t help but smile. Wearing the watch also pushed me to have fun with my style, getting immense pleasure from putting my outfits together around this gorgeous colour palette.

Paulin has a watch to suit any personality and their fun, yet meticulous approach to watch design and making without breaking the bank (the Neo D retails for 527 CHF) means it’s a brilliant proposition in any watch collection.

Sophie’s Style Corner

My wardrobe has been waiting for the day to show you all how to wear a juicy red dial with pink accents. It almost goes without saying that a bright dialed watch works perfectly with a white T- Shirt and jeans option. But where’s the fun in that?! Instead I’ve opted to go all in. I’m in ‘matchy matchy’ heaven playing with the ratios of cherry reds and pinks like an extra in the ‘Barbie’ film. Wearing beautifully vibrant colours act as a mood lifter. I’m a firm believer in dressing how you want to feel and watches like the Neo D are a prime example of this. It’s hard to have a bad day with this one on the wrist.

Whilst styling this watch I also wanted to show its versatility in all seasons, this watch has got your mood lifted from the darkest winters to the hot summer days.

Final thoughts

Paulin has got something many brands lack and that’s a clear DNA and identity. They have done their design homework and it shines through in every aspect of their watches. I adored the Neo D and I hope to add a Paulin watch to my collection one day. If you are a design led enthusiast I highly recommend you check out Paulin.