Henry Archer Akva Review: Even better than the Nordsø? This Danish brand is doing so much right

[@JonathanTReviews]

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[@petersimom]

I got this in the purple Spectral color-way. Absolutely love mine, excellent dial legibility and lume.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Awesome! I've had the pleasure of checking out the Spectral DLC and that dial is gorgeous. Great shade of purple. Cheers

[@AlexanderB.]

Henry Archer really is an aspiring microbrand. I agree, this watch is their best work to date. From some angles it reminds me of a Monta but of course without the price tag. Apart from the slippery bezel the minute hand is the only thing I personally would change by adding a bit of length. By the way, I really like their logo.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Monta makes some excellent looking pieces too. The price is the only thing that's kept me from adding one. I really like their logo as well. The entire brand marketing presentation is always on point. Cheers

[@benferris3252]

Thank you for the review, I'm on the fence with the Akva Optic White or to skip towards a Vesterhav Raven. The wave dial reminds me of an aqua terra as well which is a huge plus

[@JonathanTReviews]

My pleasure! Tough call. I thoroughly enjoy this Akva, but am really looking forward to checking out the Vesterhav soon as well. Not sure which would be my choice, if it had to be only one. I'd recommend this Akva without hesitation, however, I expect the same will be true for the Vesterhav. Henrik is offering some extremely good watches for the money. The colors are incredible and the finishing far exceeds the price point. Cheers

[@michaelcienkowski3798]

I’ve been going back-and-forth all night on the different colorways but your review helped push me towards the coral green. Thanks for your efforts. Wonderful review.

[@JonathanTReviews]

They never make it easy with so many attractive choices. This wasn't initially my top pick but I'm super happy with it and would choose the same. Glad I could help 😊 Thanks so much! Cheers

[@frankieb2784]

And.. I meant to add.. I enjoy your reviews Jonathan.. excellent camera work and narrative content.. well done! Frank

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks so much! Cheers

[@Pixelpunch3]

Very well done and thorough video. I own a Henry Archer watch and wear it often, I’m a fan of the brand.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you so much! Agreed, Henrik is putting out some attractive and great quality watches for the money. Cheers

[@andrea81]

I have the akva with the other green dial (the darker) and bor bracelet. fantastic watch.

[@JonathanTReviews]

That's a great combo! I've really come around to BOR bracelets and often seem to prefer them of late (particularly these Henry Archer Watches and the Direnzo Eclipse).

[@dylanprodigypainting]

I just ordered this same color! Definitely something different! Love your channel. Great reviews buddy!

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks so much! Awesome, you're going to love it! It always caught my eye in pics, but the color and range are much prettier in person. I regularly find myself looking at this one and the Vega (pink) Vesterhav next to each other 😍 Cheers

[@jimlittle5769]

Just bought this one. Same color, but with the other bracelet. Got their white rubber strap as well. Can't wait to get it.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Awesome! That BOR would be my pick too. The 3 link is comfortable but I think the BOR will be more so. I really like the way it complements the bright, airy vibe of this dial. The white rubber will work great too. I think you're going to love it! I look forward to your thoughts. Cheers

[@RobDTom]

I just ordered the blue meteorite. Can’t wait

[@JonathanTReviews]

Very cool! You're going to love it! Cheers

[@44Magpie]

Excellent, comprehensive review! I have the purple dial variation with the beads of rice bracelet on the way and I'm really looking forward to it.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks so much for the kind words and support! You're going to love that Spectral! Cheers

[@amoulet69]

Hi, that's just the combination I want to buy. Please let me know if you're happy with the choice and result in hand. Thank you.

[@roderickos3980]

@44Magpie How is the beads of rice bracelet? Is it too shiny, in a dressy way? I'm considering buying one.

[@JonathanTReviews]

The BOR definitely changes up the look and does add more polish, but I think it works well. It wears great too. If it helps, you can see the very similar BOR (older clasp) in my Nordso review to get an idea.

[@SteveFWatches]

My pick would be the blue meteorite and would have liked to see drilled lugs too

[@JonathanTReviews]

Meteorite will never not be cool! Drilled lugs are functionally nice, but I'm not a fan of the look, particularly on a more refined/dressy diver like this one. For what it's worth, the QR bars were easy to access and swap in/out. Cheers

[@frankieb2784]

I have the dark blue.. love it.. except for that bezel. Henrik offered to have it adjusted.. I opted to keep it as it was.. in truth.. without numerals on the bezel makes it less useful. Still, I really do love the watch. A very nice piece.. Frank in Colorado

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks for sharing your experience too, Frank. That's my sentiment as well. The total package is good enough that the bezel shortcomings are well outweighed. It's a really great watch and beautiful design (and I don't really do any diving, or even bezel based timing for that matter). Cheers

[@robertgoldberg2358]

Fantastic review. Looking at dark green as light green doesn’t seem to be available now.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks so much! Unfortunately, I think the last of this Coral Green just sold out. On the plus side, they look amazing in each colorway. Big fan of this watch. Cheers

[@-Jakob-]

use the search function

[@timetowatch_francois]

Love this AKVA but the blue meteorite dial looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing. I feel HA watches are underrated and should have much more showcasing. Thanks for being one of them 😅

[@JonathanTReviews]

Henrik definitely makes it hard to pick a favorite! Couldn't agree more, though I expect they're going to grow quickly as more people experience them first-hand. My pleasure 🥂

[@timetowatch_francois]

@@JonathanTReviews 😎👍🏼

[@spg5658]

Just found this brand recently. I like this model (and this green is the best color for it IMO) but I like the Nordso better (haven't pulled the trigger yet ). Nice review, as usual!

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you! They're both great watches and you can't go wrong with either, depending on style preference. The finishing is pretty awesome for the price. Cheers

[@Great-Scott]

Great review! This one looks great! I do wish they would pretend it's a diver a tad more by doing something like tick marks on the bezel between 0 and 10 or something like that, like they did on the Nordso.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks buddy! Yeah, between things like that and the slippery edge, it really leans dress diver (though I love it and that suits my needs). The dial texture and colors are excellent, as is the finishing.

[@Great-Scott]

@@JonathanTReviews OK, I just bought one! :)

[@JonathanTReviews]

@Great-Scott Awesome! I look forward to your thoughts and pics!

[@PH-kl5qq]

Out of the Akva/Nordso/verterhav, whatd your fave and why? Im looking to get one, maybe in a funky colour.

[@JonathanTReviews]

You can't go wrong with any, depending on personal preferences. For me, I'm torn between the Akva and Vesterhav as my favorite. I do give the edge to the Akva in profile proportions. It's pretty much perfection. The Nordsø was a bit case back dominant. In addition to the color options, it would largely come down to whether I wanted a dive or fixed bezel. Cheers

[@kdawson143]

I just got the new nordso purple meteorite DLC. Beautiful watch and well made. Emailed them and Henrik Emailed me right away and answered my question and told me about the nordso. Saw it bought it and dealt with Henrik in person. Grand slam! ​@@JonathanTReviews

[@laurablockley1269]

I really like Henry archer. I think they are doing great things for the price. I do agree with your cons though, that minute hand needs to be longer and I really like a date on a dive watch. Dive watches for me are tools/daily beaters so for every day practicality I like mine to have a date. Shame the Henry archer dive watches don’t have a date. Great they have added tool less micro adjust to the clasp now though :) Lots to like.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Fair points. I like the clean aesthetic without the date but know what you mean about the tool nature of dive watches. I'm sure we'll keep seeing more variety coming from the brand based on their offerings so far (including the upcoming Vesterhav). Cheers

[@laurablockley1269]

@@JonathanTReviews I will definitely be keeping an eye on what they do :)

[@gmotionedc5412]

Yep I love mine!!

[@JonathanTReviews]

It is great! Cheers

[@ThiHaGadgets]

I ordered blue one and on the way. 😊

[@JonathanTReviews]

Very cool! I hope you love it! Fantastic watches, especially at the price point. Cheers

[@ThiHaGadgets]

@@JonathanTReviews Thanks. Can't wait. On the way with DHL.

[@JonathanTReviews]

@ThiHaGadgets I'll be curious about your preference between the Akva and Vesterhav. My two favorites so far and hard to pick a clear winner.

[@ThiHaGadgets]

@@JonathanTReviews So many beautiful dial and hard to choose. I ordered Vesterhav - Vega first but later changed my mind to settle with akva blue. Green is also great. The reason not choosing Vesterhav - Vega is I feel the bezel is a tad big and plain without any texture.

[@JonathanTReviews]

@ThiHaGadgets The Akva proportions are spot on and IMO the best visually balanced from the profile. The Vesterhav is still excellent though, if you ever decide to try one.

[@drkbarry]

A really good review

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks so much! Cheers

[@smitty03281964]

I think the issue with the bezel is because he wanted it to be more versatile as a dress watch and not so much a dive watch

[@JonathanTReviews]

Agreed, it's definitely an aesthetic item (and I like it in that regard). Since I don't generally use the bezel, and like the look, it's a non-issue for me (and it is still functional, just slippery). Still something I wanted to point out though as I could see it being an issue for some. Cheers

[@davidcopeland5409]

If it had crown guards it would be perfect

[@JonathanTReviews]

I probably prefer the clean lines without but wouldn't mind some smooth flowing crown guards either. Cheers

[@Delveinformation1]

I would love it if you slowed down the speed of your narration a tic, because I found myself breaking out into a ADD fit! I say this with all due respect. The Henry Artcher watches look like a Formex homage brand, but there are a lot of things to love about the brand.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don't personally see much Formex in their designs (though Formex watches look great too), but agree there's a lot to like with what they're doing. Great watches for the money and the customer service is excellent too. Cheers

[@shukeelc5177]

You can slow down the speed from the top right of the screen

[@coalakida]

Can you tell me how big the Actual Clock face is on this watch. inside the bezel ?

[@JonathanTReviews]

Just checked and the dial is approximately 31.5mm.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Just checked and the dial is approximately 31.5mm.

[@benjaminvis]

The quality and different feel to the Nordsø are undeniable. This is not my colour though, especially not with this colder blue accent in addition. I also don't prefer that three link bracelet, although perhaps better suited to the Akva than the Nordsø. The dial, especially due to its markers is just a little crowded. That's deliberate, but it leads me to immediately preferring the style of the Nordsø, which somehow breathes more and maintains greater elegance. I do agree that the sunken case back on the Nordsø is its key weakness in wearing practice for me. I like its thin side, but perhaps the proportion could have been adjusted. The Akva manages without looking thick, but you do get that slightly utilitarian and cheaper looking vertical rise effect more than on the Nordsø, despite the nice chamfering. I can imagine for some this may be a close call and for others there will be an immediate preference between the two.

[@JonathanTReviews]

Understandable, it's definitely a bold and polarizing colorway, though it really works for me. Yeah, the Nordsø and Akva hit very differently. You can't go wrong with either and I agree there will be proponents of each. Cheers

[@kevinmoon4148]

Having only seen the Nordso and Akva in various KZbin reviews, I enjoy the proportions and overall design/build of the Akva, but it's terribly close.

[@chrisgrieves1468]

Fine presentation as always, Jonathan. This one not for me, those short hands would drive me nuts, the missing chamfer on the bracelet and the slippy bezel grip would also annoy. Different folks.... That said, the Vesterhav looks very promising, addresses all that. Looking at the pics, he says nothing about it but does that clasp have on-the-fly?

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you! Fair enough 😊 I'm excited to check out the Vesterhav soon as well! I can't definitively confirm yet, but believe it features a similar clasp. I'll be sure to cover it in the review, once it arrives. Cheers

[@blairdalgleish8247]

Does the bezel turn?

[@JonathanTReviews]

It does and is demonstrated in the bezel section. It's 120 click unidirectional.

[@beachedbum8682]

Does it keep time???

[@JonathanTReviews]

Yep, that's included as a standard feature 😜

[@maarteneh]

I find the hands too short. They should at least reach the beginning of the indices.

[@JonathanTReviews]

If I recall correctly, the hour touches the larger indexes (12/3/6/9), but you're right it's short of the ones in between. If you haven't already, you may want to check out the Vesterhav. The pointed tips of those hands give a greater sense of length. Cheers

[@dean4964]

Great review. I can't get past the short minute hand, too bad. I like most everything else

[@JonathanTReviews]

Thank you! It fortunately hasn't bothered me in use, but I'd prefer it to be longer too. The upcoming Vesterhav may be of more interest and adjusts the length and style. Cheers

[@guidine7]

We need date

[@JonathanTReviews]

I'm sure others will agree, but I'm personally glad they kept this one clean. It could get busy with an added date complication. Cheers

[@guidine7]

@@JonathanTReviews everything fine 💁 i go to work and that is why i need date function. I even love daydate

[@JonathanTReviews]

Understandable. I love a good date or day/date too. Speaking of the latter, I'll have one coming up before long with a cool day/date. Cheers

[@AlexanderB.]

No we don't! 😄

[@mountainhobo]

"We need date" -- Hell, no.