Design 
Quality of Materials 
Value for Money 
Craftsmanship 
Customer Service I’m only 25.
I don’t need to be waltzing into my boss’ office with a watch pricey enough to make his look like a sundial.
Style, accuracy, and quality are all I need in a watch right now.
Armogan packages all of the above in watches that are stylish enough to be worn by an F1 driver.
Are their watches the equivalent of a sports car with a lawnmower’s engine? In this review, I put their style, cases, bracelets, and movements to the
What Is Armogan Watches?
Founded in 2014, the Belgio-Luxembourg brand takes iconic Belgian design and layers it over Luxembourg’s watchmaking heritage. The country isn’t called “little Switzerland” for nothing.
Armogan takes its name from an old French word describing perfect sailing conditions. Their obsession with navigation is evident in their design.
If you couldn’t tell by their chronographs with racing-style straps, each case back depicts a vehicle-inspired engraving that emphasizes their connection with travel.
On the note of globetrotting, Armogan provides free shipping on all orders worldwide. They also provide a two-year warranty for all their watches.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Watch from Armogan
It’s never been easier to contact manufacturers all over the globe, and the watch industry has sprouted tons of micro-brands trying to get a piece of the pie.
Before bringing a new watch into your collection, it’s worth examining the pros and cons of purchasing one from a micro-brand.
If you see watches through a financial lens, a timepiece from a micro-brand probably won’t become an appreciating asset. If that’s your aim, a stroll down 5th Avenue should fit the bill.
Watches from micro-brands are better for getting function, style, and value. Not every small watch brand makes inexpensive timepieces, but most have a distinct personality, unlike trendy luxe watches that everyone has.
I’ve been tempted to splurge and go for a luxury watch, but Armogan’s watches satisfied my appetite for a handsome timepiece at a fraction of the cost. I tried two pieces---the Sopraffino Grande 38 is sleek, dressy, and fits beautifully. While the Regalia is larger than I’m used to, but 5 ATMs of waterproofing, a stopwatch feature, and a date indicator provide enough function to make it my new daily driver.
Hands-On Review
Sopraffino Grande 38
First Impressions and Style
As the saying goes, “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have.”
If that’s true, my waterproof dive watch says I’d rather be a SCUBA instructor than a Merchandise Planner.
I’m no longer a novice in my career, and owning a sleek dress watch becomes more important with each client meeting.
After carefully removing the box lid, I could see the reflection of my ear-to-grin smile on the Sopraffino 38 Grande’s crystal. It finally struck me how watches can be a man’s only hobby.
I picked up the Silver Black G31 colorway. The black strap contrasts beautifully with the polished silver face. It reminds me of a tuxedo, and because this watch will accessorize my suits, the chic color combo was a natural choice.
Case and Case Back
The 316L stainless steel case has a mirror-like finish that almost resembles chrome. It seamlessly transitions between the case, case back, and crown, and the uniform look highlights the bracelet’s black leather.
Few things pain me more than finding a slick timepiece, only for it to look like Big Ben on my 7-inch wrist.
My forearms aren’t twigs, but they’re no varsity rowers, either.
The 38mm width and 42mm lug-to-lug length falls squarely on my wrist. I normally buy watches in the 36mm-40mm range anyway, but measuring your favorite watch to see how it’ll stack up is never a bad idea.
I love wearing cool stuff, but for me, coolness is in the details. A vibrant designer watch might be striking, but a watch with too much going on becomes an attention magnet.
The case back of the Sopraffino is exactly what I like. Inspired by the locomotive culture of centuries past, the watch has a laser-etched image of a railroad trailing off into the horizon.
There is no blinged-out dial or neon detailing here, just a neat design that only I know is there.
The Sopraffino 38 Grande claims to be “water-resistant’ for up to 30m. In watch terms, this means you can wash your hands while wearing it.
I prefer a watch that I can wear anywhere, but the added care will ensure it maintains its appearance for longer.
Crystal and Dial
A watch’s crystal makes or breaks one, literally.
The Sopraffino relies on a durable sapphire dome to showcase its black dial. Sapphire is the industry standard for crystal, so hats off to Armogan for going with the best.
I’ve spent over $500 for a watch whose “crystal” was just acrylic. It wasn’t until my watch started looking like the foggy headlights on a 1995 Honda that I realized my mistake.
The dial itself isn’t much of a spectacle, but this is a dress watch, after all.
I was drawn to the black-on-black. The dial matches the strap, and the white numerals and silver hardware add contrast. It’s gorgeous simplicity.
A date indicator or day wheel would make the Sopraffino a tick better, but another gizmo would likely put it above $200.
As a young buck trying to save for a house, I’m willing to sacrifice an extra detail for a better price.
Movement
As I’ve stumbled down the watch rabbit hole, I’ve learned about the fierce rivalry between automatic and mechanical watch enthusiasts.
An automatic watch is convenient thanks to a self-winding rotor that keeps the gears churning as the wrist moves. Watches with a complex automatic movement can fetch sky-high prices, but they’re less accurate and require expensive servicing every 5-10 years.
The Sopraffino Grande 38 is powered by a Miyota 2025 quartz movement. If you’re searching for a low-maintenance timekeeper, the 3-year battery life should pique your interest.
I haven’t been the most caring watch owner of my old automatic, and it’s gotten me in trouble. I don’t wear it every day, and adjusting the time every few days has muddled its accuracy.
The Miyota doesn’t miss a beat. With an accuracy of ±20 seconds per month, I’ll be spinning the crown a lot less.
Strap
A dapper watch deserves an equally dapper strap to secure it. Not only should it look good, but a quality watch band needs to be strong enough to keep its shape over time.
I was disappointed to flip the Sopraffino over to find the “GENUINE LEATHER” disclaimer. That might sound like good news, but genuine leather’s quality is the lowest on the scale.
Granted, it’s held up fine so far, but my genuine leather belts, wallets, and shoes didn’t live long, so I can’t say I’m overly confident. With the strap being rather small, I’d love to see Armogan upgrade to full-grain leather. Even top-grain would be fine.
Perceived quality aside, the black finish gives the Sopraffino a James Bond-like demeanor.
Powered by a Miyota 2025 quartz movement, the Sopraffino is my low-maintenance stunner in my watch box. I love how easy it is to match with other accessories. It looks stellar with a matching belt and horse-bit loafer---the whole look is nothing short of a polished ensemble.
Regalia
First Impressions and Style
Side by side, the Regalia has a busier aesthetic than the more proper Sopraffino, but that’s standard when you’re in chronograph territory.
Between the various sets of hands, indices, and buttons, Armogan embraced the chronograph’s historical role as a timekeeping device rather than a tool to impress.
But don’t be fooled. It has impressed so far as well.
The color palette also piqued my interest. Shaped by Europe’s cafe racer culture, the Regalia’s red stitching over the brown strap conjured images of a motorcycle’s upholstery.
It’s what is on the inside that counts, especially with watches. I need more than a pretty face to adorn my wrists.
Case and Case Back
Like the Sopraffino, the Regalia has a tribute piece. The stopwatch functionality of chronographs made them ideal for competitive motorists, so the Regalia’s case back features a symmetrical piston design.
The Regalia uses the same 316L stainless steel as the Sopraffino. It looks good on this watch, but paired with the brown leather strap, isn’t as pronounced.
Even if the silver finish takes a back seat, the crown and stopwatch buttons reinforce the utilitarian look of the Regalia.
I’m a fan of the busier look, but there’s one issue: I’m left-handed.
I don’t need every brand under the sun to cater to my quirks, but it’d be nice if Armogan made a small run of left-handed versions.
All of my hand-me-down watches are righties, so I’m used to it.
The 40mm case puts it at the edge of my size preference, so it doesn’t look big horizontally. The lug-to-lug length measures 44mm, however, which barely hangs off the edge of my wrist.
It doesn’t look like a dinner plate on my arm, but this watch might suit guys with more meat on their bones.
My favorite thing about the Regalia is the waterproofing. With 5 atmospheres of pressure resistance, the watch can handle depths of up to 169 feet.
I can’t say I frequent the abyss, but knowing I can wear it anywhere gives this watch an edge.
There’s one caveat: The leather strap.
Leather is not the material you want around water. But, if you do get it absolutely submerged in water, you’d only have to replace the strap. Armogan doesn’t sell plastic or metal straps that can withstand water, but you can find them elsewhere online.
The Regalia is still on my good side, but I’ll have to browse for an aftermarket strap for any marine enrichment.
Crystal and Dial
The Regalia’s dial has more to show off, and the sapphire crystal keeps it all on full display. Armogan moves their logo to the left hemisphere for the Regalia’s dial to make room for a 60-minute sub-dial and a running second clock below it.
Featuring bright red second markers, sub-dial borders, and a second hand, the colored elements pop against a background of brown, white, and silver.
The color choices alone give the Regalia a more dynamic character than the subdued Sopraffino. It might not pair with everything, but it’s the better choice when I want to turn heads.
The Regalia furthers its timekeeping prowess with a day wheel.
Basic mechanical watches are usually just a minute and hour hand, maybe a second hand if you’re lucky. Considering the Regalia is just over $200, the day wheel justifies the price.
Movement
A pricer, beefier Miyota 0S11, drives the Regalia’s mechanics for more advanced measurements.
I believed the higher price was only for the added stopwatch and day wheel features, but there’s more to it.
The battery life on the 0S11 is five years, two years more than the Sopraffino’s Miyota 2025. Two years isn’t peanuts to a guy who dreads watch maintenance, so the enhancement is worth the money.
Bracelet
I hinted at my thoughts on the strap, but let’s rewind.
If we’re talking looks, the strap itself is eye candy. Armogan uses vintage-style leather that develops a patina with daily wear. For a retro-inspired watch, the espresso-colored leather with red stitching was the right choice.
This is where my love letter ends because, like the Sopraffino, it’s genuine leather.
For a watch that prides itself on water resistance, I just can’t see the strap holding up to anything more than spilled seltzer.
If you’re keen on taking advantage of the Regalia’s aquatic defenses, it’s worth looking into third-party straps that won’t drown.
The racing style of the Regalia is more casual than Armogan's dressier Sopraffino Grande, though it perfectly balances sportiness with high class. The biker-esque detailing is undeniably cool, and the watch boasts a fantastic quality for the price.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Whether the reviewers bought the Sopraffino or the Regalia, they share a common love for Armogan’s timeless aesthetic.
The Sopprafino finds itself on reviewers’ wrists thanks to its simple elegance. While the upscale exterior is stylish, a few customers found the watch case surprisingly small.
Perusing testimonials on the Regalia, the 5-year battery life, stopwatch function, and water resistance satisfy the function fanatics.
The Regalia’s lack of sizing complaints leads me to believe it’s a solid option for masses of average wrist sizes.
My Thoughts Overall on Armogan Watches
What I Like
- The classic, unrelenting watches are at an approachable price point.
- The laser-etched designs on Armogan WatchesArmogan’s case backs are a unique method for brand storytelling.
- Looks aside, the waterproofing and stopwatch functionality on the Regalia make it worth the money.
- Both watches have along battery life, cutting down on watch maintenance.
- Miyota movements grant Armogan Japanese-made accuracy.
What I Don’t Like
- I’d like to see the straps made of something better than genuine leather, and its use on a waterproof watch seems counterintuitive.
- The lug-to-lug length on the Regalia is longer than I like despite the case width fitting nicely.
- The Sopraffino is more susceptible to water damage than the Regalia.
Who Are Armogan Watches For?
Having poked around two of Armogan’s best sellers, the Armogan customer is the guy who’s looking for a dapper, capable timepiece without falling victim to the frivolous markups that are all too common in the watch space.
Armogan’s automotive spirit will make an auto buff’s heart flutter, too.
The Verdict
I’ve done a few laps with the Sopraffino Grande 38 and Regalia, and both check my boxes for a worthy timepiece.
The Sopraffino is my reserved stunner.
I love how easy it is to match with other accessories. My silver and black Sopraffino look stellar with a matching belt and horse-bit loafer.
The whole look is nothing short of a polished ensemble.
Even if I wanted a day wheel or better waterproofing, it still fills the simple but sexy niche in my jewelry box.
I praise the Sopraffino highly, but I wear the Regalia more.
All things considered, it’s simply a more effective timekeeping device for my needs. The stopwatch and date indicator are super useful, but a new strap will help make it more versatile.
It might be the more casual of the two, but the biker-esque detailing is undeniably cool, even if I don’t know how to ride a motorcycle.
I’ve been tempted to splurge and go for a luxury watch, but Armogan’s watches satisfied my appetite for a handsome timepiece at a fraction of the cost. I tried two pieces---the Sopraffino Grande 38 is sleek, dressy, and fits beautifully. While the Regalia is larger than I’m used to, but 5 ATMs of waterproofing, a stopwatch feature, and a date indicator provide enough function to make it my new daily driver.
FAQs
What other watch brands are comparable to Armogan?
Fellow petrol-fueled watchmaker REC reclaims iconic vehicles and converts their parts into stunning timepieces. Whether they’re made from aircraft, exotic cars, or Evil Knievel’s stunt bike, one can’t argue that a REC watch has a story.
Are Armogan watches value for money?
A watch’s value ultimately depends on what your ideal watch offers. For unrelenting style, long battery life, and waterproof models, Armogan’s $150-$250 price range is hard to compete with.
Are Armogan watches suitable for small wrists?
Watch size is relative. Considering Armogan manufactures case widths between 33mm and 44mm, most customers can find an appropriate watch based on their wrist size.
