Aristo 2538

Harley Ronda 2538 Micro Rotor Automatic 22 Jewel

Well I bought this mostly for the Micro Rotor Movement. I have had an interest in Micro Rotor Movements and thought I would have to buy a Vintage Hamilton to get one I would like, but I stumbled on this one instead.

The dial print is off white, almost light grey.

The numbers and markers at 12, 3, 6, and 9 are Luminous as are the hands. The dial is flat black with the date at 3.

The movement ring is not tight enough to keep the movement and dial centered in the case when the crown is set. since its a screw down crown that presents a visible noticeable offset in the dial. The screw down crown is large and easy to grasp but the threads are too short on the case tube for my comfort especially when you look at how deep the crown is. I will have to change the movement retainer out for one that is tight and perhaps do a crown upgrade to get it feeling as sturdy as it looks.

The case is highly polished stainless steel that has been brushed on the sides and over the top of the lugs (this is the factory finish) and has a polished bezel to complete the look. It boasts a Sapphire Crystal and is 40mm across from 2 to 8, just slightly oversized and very comfortable on my wrist.

  The Movement is nice, clean and very simply decorated. The auto wind balance is printed ARISTO 045, perhaps marking its number in a production run.

Overall the watch is nice but the loose movement in the case is distracting considering the quality of the fit and finish on the case and the fact that it's a rather rare micro rotor movement too it seems like someone simply stopped short of finishing it off well. It certainly doesn't lend well to my first impressions of Aristo brand watches.

Thumbs Almost Up. This is a classic example of why European watch making is dead, no pride in their work and they want twice what the product is worth.

All the elements of a great watch are here but its just not finished. For a quarter of what this watch cost new (about $600.00 US) you can buy a Seiko 5 at retail and you will not find any fit or finish issues with a Seiko 5!

With the same $600.00 you can buy a lot of Japan only Seiko. If you shop on the internet the very high end Japan watches are out there and you will own one once and never look at this snobby European Garbage again.

I'm not trying to bash European watch making, they do it to themselves without needing any help from me.

 I have many European watches that I really like and are worth paying a little more for. But this Aristo might as well have a Chinese movement in it and cost $80.00.

I like this classic styled watch case and dial and if I saw it again from a better watch maker I would buy one. Now that I have actually had a cheap one on my wrist I'm even more interested in a good one!