Hello everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I review the Icon Automatic from the American watch label Vincero.
Vincero recently reached out and asked if I would like to take a look at its new release, the Icon Automatic. I was initially sceptical (after all, Vincero is known as a “fashion watch” brand) but was pleasantly surprised after seeing the Icon Automatic’s specifications and reasonable price tag. So I agreed to review one and requested to be sent the striking Coral Edition – let’s see if it’s any good.
Vincero Icon Automatic – Video
If you’re interested in viewing some hands-on footage of the Icon Automatic, do watch my YouTube review below:
Vincero – the Brand
Vincero was founded in 2012 during the height of the fashion watch craze (remember Daniel Wellington, MVMT, and Filippo Loreti?). Its first watch was the Marble Automatic, which was well-received amongst watch reviewers due to its Miyota 9 series movement and exotic dial. However, its reputation amongst enthusiasts suffered somewhat afterwards as Vincero released minimalist quartz watches like the Kairos, embraced the “cut out the middleman” marketing trope, and expanded its offerings to accessories such as sunglasses, backpacks, and eyewear.
After years of being dragged through the mud by watch Youtubers, Vincero has reinvented itself. It ditched its previous motto of veni vidi vici (I came, I saw, I conquered), embraced sustainability, and pivoted to making striking watches (instead of bland minimalist ones), such as the Icon Automatic and the Rogue Lumina capsule collection. It has also begun to reach out to watch reviewers instead of pretty influencers, and that was how the Icon Automatic Coral Edition came to me.
Vincero Icon Automatic – Build Quality
As mentioned earlier, I was pleasantly surprised by the Icon Automatic’s specifications.
Firstly, the Vincero Icon Automatic uses a sapphire crystal. As mentioned numerous times in my previous reviews, I’m a huge advocate of sapphire crystal due to its inherent scratch-resisting properties. I always look for sapphire crystal in my modern watches as it adds greatly to the watch’s durability. The Icon Automatic also has a respectable water-resistance rating of 100M, rendering it viable for most everyday activities that don’t involve prolonged submersion in water.
The Icon Automatic is powered by the ubiquitous Seiko NH35A movement. Some quick specs: the movement beats at 21600 vibrations per hour, has 42 hours of power reserve, contains 24 jewels, and is hacking. It’s a rock-solid movement that’s a staple of affordable mechanical watches, often boasting solid reliability and timekeeping – I’ve had no issues with the dozens of NH35-powered watches that I’ve owned to date. The rotor is also “decorated” with Vincero’s branding, which is a step above the bare bones movement of most sub-S$500 watches.
The build quality of the bracelet is decent as well, especially considering the price point. It’s not as robust as the recently reviewed Vesuviate Volare, but it is substantially better than Seiko’s ratty, hollow bracelets at this price point. The butterfly clasp (as opposed to a simple stamped clasp) adds an upscale touch to the watch, while the seamless aesthetic gives the Icon Automatic a minimalist look.
All in all, the specifications of the Icon Automatic punches above its ~S$400 price tag. There’s sapphire crystal, 100M of water-resistant rating, a workhorse Seiko NH35A movement, and a decent bracelet. There’s no lume, but as the Icon Automatic is meant for dressier occasions, that’s an understandable omission.
Vincero Icon Automatic – Design
The design of the Icon Automatic is no slouch too – especially this Coral Edition.
When I first saw the Icon Automatic Coral Edition, the coral dial reminded me of the Oris ProPilot Calibre 400 with the salmon dial. I love the salmon ProPilot, and almost pulled the trigger on it when it first came out. I eventually didn’t, as 6K+ SGD was a pretty price to pay for an Oris, even one with a titanium construction and in-house movement. I’ve been searching for an affordable alternative with a similar shade of salmon since, and the Vincero Icon Automatic Coral Edition is the closest watch I’ve seen thus far at the sub-S$500 price point. The pastel hue is eyecatching, allowing the watch to stand out from my crowded watch box.
It’s not just the bright colour as the dial has a grained texture and a white date window at 6 o’clock that mimics the salmon ProPilot. I like both: the rough surface adds depth and contrast to the dial, while the 6 o’clock date window preserves its symmetry. Naysayers may say it veers too much into the homage territory, but the ProPilot isn’t the Submariner – I doubt Vincero is courting any brand cache from this.
In addition, the skeletonised die-cut arrow hands (which differentiates the Icon Automatic from the ProPilot) and the applied indices and logo give the dial another level of depth. The hands and indices are highly polished as well, and reminiscent of the gleaming indices on my Grand Seiko. Altogether, the hands, indices and coral colourway make for a striking watch on the wrist – one that certainly looks more expensive than the Icon Automatic’s ~S$400 price tag.
While not the most intricate, the Icon Automatic does feature contrasting case finishing techniques – polished bezel, brushed case – and faceted lugs. It’s not Grand Seiko level, but is still decent for the price.
The Icon Automatic Coral Edition is a limited edition of 150 pieces, with the individual serial number engraved on the caseside. At this point of writing, the Icon Automatic Coral Edition is already sold out, which is saying something as it has been on sale for less than a month. If that’s not proof of demand, I don’t know what is.
With a case diameter of 41mm, the Icon Automatic wears okay on my 7-inch wrist. There’s no overhang, but I would have preferred a slightly smaller case diameter of perhaps 39mm, especially given the dressier nature of the watch. That being said, it does have a relatively svelte thickness of just 11.5mm, so the watch should slide underneath a shirt cuff without any issues.
Overall, I’m very impressed by the aesthetics of the Icon Automatic – it’s a looker. The coral dial is stunning, the polished applied indices and hands are striking, and there’s even alternating finishing on the case and bracelet. My only knock is the case size, but that is admittedly subjective.
Shootout: Vincero Icon Automatic vs TACS Architecture
If you’re looking for a pastel-coloured watch under S$500, the TACS Architecture would be a good alternative.
In terms of specifications, the Vincero Icon Automatic edges out the TACS Architecture. Both watches use Japanese automatic movements and boast 100M of water resistance, but the Icon Automatic features sapphire crystal while the Architecture uses K1 crystal (which is substantially less scratch-resistant).
From an aesthetic standpoint, both watches feature a pastel dial with a brushed texture. However, the Architecture has a semi-skeletonised dial, making it slightly more unique than the Icon Automatic. That being said, if skeletonised dials aren’t your cup of tea, then the minimalist appearance of the Icon Automatic will suit you better.
Where the Icon Automatic trumps is in its price – at S$415, it’s about 20% cheaper than the Architecture, despite having the better specifications. For those seeking to make the most out of your buck, the Vincero Icon Automatic will be the better buy.
Conclusion – so the Vincero Icon Automatic “shiok” or not?
The Icon Automatic is Vincero’s best watch to date. Firstly, the Icon Automatic has good specifications for the price, featuring sapphire crystal, Seiko NH35A movement, and a robust bracelet. Secondly, the watch has a striking dial that is bound to be a conversation starter. And as the icing on the cake, it’s reasonably priced, and offers good bang for buck. It’s nice to see Vincero shedding its fashion watch image and churning out good watches – I can’t wait to see what else the brand has in store.
Those interested in purchasing from Vincero can use the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” for 20% off all products storewide (excluding sale periods). After the discount, the Icon Automatic Coral Edition would have been S$415. The Coral Edition has since sold out, but other dial variants of the Icon Automatic can still be had for S$355 to S$370. The specifications are the same, and I’m particularly enthralled by the sunburst blue model – the most stunning of the lot. It’s arguably more versatile and better value than the Coral Edition, so those looking for an everyday watch should give it a look.
View the Icon Automatic Coral Edition here.
View the Icon Automatic series here.
View the full range of Vincero’s offerings here.
Specifications:
- 5 Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 41mm
- Case Thickness: 11.5mm
- Strap Width: 20mm
- Movement: Seiko Automatic – NH35
- Power reserve lasts approximately 40 hours
- Date calendar window
- Hands: Die-Cut Skeleton
- Water Resistance: 10 ATM – 100 meters / 300 feet
- Glass: Sapphire Crystal (Scratch Resistant)
- Case: 316L Stainless Steel
- Caseback: Sapphire Exhibition
- Strap: Steel H-Shaped Bracelet (Alternating Brushed/Polished)
- Clasp: Push-Button Deployant Clasp
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P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
