Comments:
Today's arrival!
I am pretty sure very few of you have heard of the Elka Watch Company and until three weeks ago, I too had never heard of them. I am generally one who judges a watch based on its merits rather than merely by its history, brand name or hype. So when I spotted this lovely watch with a minimalist dial that is only limited to 25 pieces, I decided to take the plunge. One could easily mistake this 40.8mm watch for a H. Moser at first glance but unlike a Moser, it spots a more modest automatic La Joux-Perret movement. I unboxed the watch today and I wore it out for dinner tonight even though my first choice would usually be my De Bethune DB8. The Elka D Series Essence watch was a joy to wear despite its diameter and I credit the curved lugs that allow a lug to lug length of 46.5mm hence its wearability on my small wrist. There is a slight dome on the glass and its10.8mm height wears a lot thinner. I am particularly fond of the thin bezel - not only does it contribute to the minimalist look but large bezels tend to get more easily scratched!
The sunburst blue dial is particularly impressive in the way it plays with the light and the comfortable suede strap gives the watch a more casual look. One might consider swapping this strap for a dark blue crocodile or alligator strap to give the watch a more formal look but I have no complaints. While the minimalist approach of the watch is nothing new, the execution of the design is well done and appealing.
Before I forget, I must comment Mr Hakim El Kadiri who founded the company in 2022 for the packaging of the watch. One would not expect too much on a watch costing less than two thousand Swiss Francs but not only did the watch come with a hand written note by Hakim, I was also particularly impressed by the unexpected gift of a lapel pin shaped as a replica of a black dial with Breguet numerals. As I was curious to know how the name Elka was initially decided on, I read that Elka was Hakim El Kadiri's nickname but he could not use that name for his company as there was a Dutch company by that name but as it was no longer trading , he decided to re start the Elka Watch Company.. I wish Hakim the very best and thank you for making this watch. It sits proudly with my De Bethune, Kikuchi Nakagawa, Patek Phillipe, Vacheron Constantin and Bovet. I am afraid those are the only watches I currently own! 
Thank you for your kind comments!
Due to the excellent dial and case design, the watch is elegantly discreet in my biased opinion.
Thanks a lot!!
It just shows that sometimes we don't have to break the bank account to buy a nice looking watch
Congrats, great new addition and another perfect example of "Minimum Outlay and Maximum Satisfaction", Enjoy it in health
Thank you Salman!
My current seven watch collection allows me to enjoy each watch to the max!
This is a lovely watch
I have never heard of before. I am amazed how pretty a dial this "empty" can be. The execution is realky stunning and this design "just works".
You took the words right out of my mouth!
Thank you very much for your comments. Less is more in this instance
I get weak when I am faced with that combination
Even my De Bethune mono pusher chronograph is somewhat minimalist!
A great example of Less is More... Really lovely piece. I had never heard of it until today, but my only concern would be mainly its size, 40.8mm seems a lot for this kind of flawless watch... Maybe 38mm would have been ideal despite the wearability
you seem to say is ideal ?
Agreed!
38mm would have been even more ideal particularly for smaller wrists but like always, it is the lug to lug measurements that matter so a 46.5mm lug to lug length is fine. Actually for my wrist anything south of 46.5mm is fine. Also it matters if the lugs curve downwards or are Breguet straight!
Thank you for your comments
This watch is actually launch only recently. Amazing you already got yr hands on it.
I recall they launched one model last year with many iterations of the dial numbering with Arabic, Chinese and Hindi.
Credit goes to the Elka watch company
because unlike most of the other internet based companies, they actually sent the watch out 24 hours after I had placed my order on the day of the launch. The watch actually arrived almost three weeks ago in my home but I had been away hence the delay in my opening it. You obviously know more about this company than I do and thank you for your comments!
It amazing how these smaller watch companies operates,
Unlike big manufacturers that need to take 6-8 months after Baselworld or now W&W to lunch their watches given their moolah power…
Agreed but
there are some small companies like MIng that take months to deliver the watch after launch. I recall once leaving a 50% deposit on a 17.09 and 11 months later, I was asked to pay the balance before delivery and was taken by surprise as I had totally forgotten I had ordered it! Yes totally my fault But in general yes, the smaller independents seem to have better control of distribution or perhaps the bigger companies tend to rest on their laurels since they have a loyal and well established customer base.
But in general yes, the smaller independents seem to have better control of distribution or perhaps the bigger companies tend to rest on their laurels since they have a loyal and well established customer base.