Wise Asura Swiss Automatic - A Watch Designed For A Niche Audience?

[@WatchWitt]

This is an absolute stunner! I really like what WISE is doing. This handset is the star of the show for me. REALLY like this integrated FKM strap too!

[@ivanharlokin]

A very attractive watch, particularly with the red dial. Thanks very much for the video, Peter.

[@PeterKotsa]

My pleasure!

[@thomaswelcomer8443]

Hilarious when people complain about a 4 letter name but embrace "Rolex" or "Frederique Constant" or MANY other rediculously priced brands. Wise seems to be trying, at least, to be a bit different. I applaud their efforts...

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Seiko 😮

[@PocketUau]

Wise, unlike established brands under modern management, evidently have more wise people at their helm.

[@Capthowdy098]

This is a beautiful piece!

[@jjlad5037]

Lovely watch.

[@AbdulRWatches]

Looks pretty cool to me, love the design and look.

[@TheTrueHasenfeffer]

Love the look of this

[@AnonymousYouTubeconsumer]

Another stunner! I agree, in my opinion the watch would look great at 36mm, but even at 40mm it’s absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the review Mr. Kotsa. Cheers! 🥂

[@PeterKotsa]

My pleasure

[@tdugong]

I love my Asura watch! For me, it works great as a niche Southeast Asian dress watch that pairs with a traditional SEA attire that comes with wider shirt cuffs. I guess you could call it an outdoorsy sporty dress watch, I suppose?

[@pezevengi]

Thanks Pete, another great review on a product that will gain traction. I'd consider adding it to my existing Wise collection..

[@PeterKotsa]

Great stuff 👍 Thanks for sharing

[@weezkidtube]

Great advice at the end, Pete, got to keep your wits with this hobby.

[@PeterKotsa]

Absolutely

[@DUCLEBOWSKI]

WISE describes the Asura as "a sophisticated timepiece with devilish elegance". Also, like any enemy of the gods (demon in the mythology of Hinduism), this timepiece must disrupt, not the Word, but our perspective. Thank you for this fair presentation as usual.

[@Barbecuejag]

Red dial would be my choice - helps with the legibility concern.

[@iansclone]

Love it. The case shape and buckle design make me think of something Hamilton would do.

[@alanwright3172]

I have both a quartz domestic and a mechanical from Wise. One of the best micro brands around.

[@TheBlindSkwerl]

I almost bought the red version, but I had many of the same hesitations you mentioned. I have a Hitman 66 full lume and it's fantastic for the price. This one is a little confusing.

[@AlexanderB.]

I like it. As you say, there are some subtle Thai design elements, but the colour is subdued. I agree about the straps. It looks better on the FKM strap. I don't like shiny leather straps.

[@EGO0808]

An Artem sailcloth strap would be a perfect match imho...

[@PheasantPluckersMate]

Great review as always. Interesting watch, but agree that the flat second hand should be upgraded.

[@EGO0808]

As I have become quite a fan of Wise timepieces in the last few months, this one of course caught my attention as well. I like your review and agree to the pros and cons (or as you call them 'gripes'). Especially, very detailed, the flat second hand, that is a bit of a design flaw to me. Nevertheless this watch is as stunning as all Wise watches. The design reminds me a bit of my IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, with the same dial design. And that is not a bad thing at all. I am giving it some thoughts and since I will be in Thailand in a few weeks, I will go and try it on to have a better feel of it. Thanks again for another great review!

[@PeterKotsa]

Getting hands on in Thailand is the best thing, that way you get a feel of what works or doesnt for your wrist Thanks for sharing 👍

[@benjaminvis]

You make some excellent pointw in the video. One thing I definitely do embrace is the 'hybrid' personality. I like my watches on the dressy side, but they don't need to be (traditional) dress watches. I really appreciate the design, especially on the Cordovan it's a true statement piece, but I guess it's not entirely to my taste, and certainly a bit thick and large for the kind of watch that it is. 37mm sounds about right to me, but obviously also with a reduced thickness then. Still, I'm not sure that I'd then go for this particular design, but that doesn't detract from its merits and authentic identity. I do question the wisdom in moving to a Swiss movement. I think Wise is generally well-priced and certainly for me this moves it into a different category, while I simply wouldn't really expect a Swiss movement in their watches. There is no substantive added value in that for me, so I'd rather not pay for it. I understand it much better, even if I know the rules behind it, when a brand uses a Swiss movement as part of a Swiss Made label, but Wise's point has generally been excellent construction and finishing outside of Switzerland.

[@mattsmiley8156]

Sexy watch. I wish it leaned more into the sports side. Some stronger lume and a bit more legibility. Either way, Wise paves their own way. And each watch is a value.

[@Jeff-mv4yy]

Great summary Peter . Nice watch , but doesn’t make me feel like I gotta have it . I’ll echo as many others have , maybe wise will eventually listen up . But getting rid of all the print and installing a simple symmetrical logo would go a long way to sell more watches imo . I don’t know anyone that likes WISE print on their dial

[@PeterKotsa]

Yeah you're not the first or last to mention a logo change, hopefully one day Thanks for sharing Jeff 👍

[@garyboyle695]

Rolex writes War and Peace on some of their dials but that's okay, I wonder why.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

I like it 👍 $990 $1,600 🤔

[@yodajenkins808]

6:40 The flat seconds hand on the Wise reminds me of the flat, cookie-cutter seconds hand on the Zelos Nova. It's a shame, because I was very close to buying the Zelos, but I just couldn't unsee the flatness of the seconds hand.

[@lucgeoffrion1970]

It’s an interesting and beautiful watch, but I think that the owner will eventually get tired of it in a short time, as it has a lot of character but a bit too much and it will not stand the test of time or of its owner’s undevoted admiration. It’s like a funky piece of clothing that you can’t wear too often. But again very interesting; I always discover new brands on your channel, and that is what I appreciate. Anyway, I like your video, it’s like a soothing session at the spa at the end of the day, haha! Cheers from Montreal!

[@PeterKotsa]

Hahaha, a soothing session of spa..love that Maybe I need to watch my own videos as I need a good relaxation session myself 😊

[@josephkelly2964]

I like it quite a bit

[@jaydub9509]

Beautiful watch, but I think your assessment is spot on Peter. And that's coming from a Wise fanboy.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks bro

[@Z-S-H]

I think that watch is beautiful and classically styled, I love it (if only I could afford one! 😂) Edit: I forgot the mention the sizing of it case 40mm/lug to lug is great!!!

[@etebol]

I am happy to see Wise for sticking to man size watches. One of my favorite micro brands.

[@lexusenthusiast6414]

They need to make this in 38mm or 37...so the small seconds ends up on the minute track... Other than that it looks great already.

[@darrenak9378]

Thanks for the review. I find the handset and markers to look a bit Germanic rather than Thai inspired. I really like the aesthetic of this piece but find the model name on the dial too big and in your face.

[@Username.RandomNumbers]

Editer Peter needs to let Intro Peter say his thing!

[@PeterKotsa]

😋

[@leonm2407]

A little bit Country, a little bit Rock & Roll.

[@PeterKotsa]

Yee ha 🤠

[@user-M.O.]

I really like it. One complaint. The brand is wise and not asura. Asura should be in smaller letters. Watch should be smaller. But it is a beautiful watch.

[@craig2100]

Great addition... not my taste, but glad they offer something outside of the norm

[@simmysharma6845]

👍🙂

[@mondrayuk]

This watch also crosses into Feynman watches territory.

[@PeterKotsa]

Yeah theres some similarities 👍

[@mondrayuk]

@@PeterKotsa That being not necessarily a bad thing. Taking the best of the features of other comparable watches to come up with a V 2.0 does have its positives. It does have a touch of AnOrdain, Sartory Billard and Lundis Bleus. Very clever with Ming Style lugs. I rather like the design language of this one

[@adk7962]

I personally think it’s beautiful. But this is definitely for someone who has numerous watches around this price range and is looking for something different. A person like me who would have to save up for a while to purchase a $1000 - $1,500 watch, I would definitely go more traditional like a Christopher Ward or a higher end Seiko. Thanks for the great review!

[@Nylatt]

Nice watch, excellent review. Too big and thick for my tastes. I like the originality for sure.

[@domoel]

Looks like a Ming

[@adamfletter5842]

Can we please stop this trend where watch reviewers don't show the dial or name the watch the video is about?

[@Nite-owl]

Looks nice enough, but that boringly simple seconds hand just ruins the whole thing for me.

[@LarrySealeArcheryCoach]

no date, no sale

[@user-vv1qm5dj9c]

It’s always surprising to see people dismissing a watch because of its cultural influences. Surprised Pete would give voice to it.

[@PeterKotsa]

I definitely wasn't trying to dismiss it by any means. I actually like many of its elements, but as a whole, I have a few questions Is it a dress watch?. maybe could be a tad smaller, is it a sports, well possibly yes. But as far as the influenced culture, I think thats a good thing because its being unique compared to everything else we see these days. Is it for a niche audience?..yes I think so..maybe Im wrong..who knows , I suppose sales figures will show Nonetheless, thanks for sharing 👍

[@user-vv1qm5dj9c]

@ I am with you Pete. Unfortunately, some people will hesitate to purchase the Wise for cultural reasons. Too bad. The quality and value proposition are off the charts. Personally, I’m leaning toward the flyboy for my purchase.

[@PeterKotsa]

Off the charts is an understatement for sure 👍

[@ワンコそば-v2c]

ASURA in Japanese means Ass Monster lol.

[@bountyfinder12]

ASURA..translates to demon , isn't it ?

[@PeterKotsa]

I didnt know that... Thanks for sharing 👍

[@cedarcanoe]

Wise tokk some typical elements from high-end brands. Not really unique tbh.

[@clarkhiggins6095]

Too expensive for what it is

[@Mystery_Man84]

Put a B in front of the name and it becomes Basura 🗑️

[@P3ktoRis]

I like the design of the dial, small seconds, no date... But then 12mm and automatic... I guess im really niche 🥲