Hands-On With The Flashy Two-Tone Ebel 1911 Globe
The Ebel 1911 Globe you see here is one of the most divisive watches we’ve had in the office lately. Only Robert-Jan and I like this glorious piece of late-1980s design brilliance, so it won’t surprise you that I volunteered to review the watch. Besides the fact that I like the flashy presence, it awakens vivid childhood memories from the ’90s with a little sprinkle of Miami-themed bliss. As you will understand, this watch is not just a stylish piece of horology to me but also a storyteller that had me wandering off to my younger days.
As a watch writer, I typically follow a certain framework when reviewing a watch. It starts with the backstory, and then I’ll go into the specs and details of the watch before giving an impression of how it wears and coming up with some final thoughts. But for this Ebel 1911 Globe, it would be weird not to start with the watch’s looks. The details of this remarkable timepiece simply do not matter if you do not buy into the style. Specifically, this is not the all-steel version. No, this is the steel and gold(-plated) version of the Ebel 1911 Globe. It’s a watch that you either love or hate. For me, the nostalgia it brings it enough reason to love it.
The story of the Ebel 1911 Globe
To fully appreciate the Ebel 1911 Globe, we must start with the story of the Ebel Voyager that came out in 1989. Ebel produced this watch until the early 2000s with either a regular dial with Roman numerals or a dial with a world map. The latter version served as the inspiration for the new 1911 Globe. I certainly understand the logic behind that because it gives the watch a more distinct character. That character also leads to strong reactions, though. Not everyone loves a world map on the dial of a watch, especially when it’s a glossy gold-tone map.
But I am getting ahead of myself. Ebel produced the Voyager in stainless steel, steel and gold, and full gold. The gold model, in particular, still looks the part. On a leather strap with the Roman numerals dial, it is a great vintage piece that has every bit of class that it had in the 1980s and ’90s. On the gold bracelet, it’s a far more flashy timepiece but not one I dislike. Ebel updated the dial designs multiple times during the Voyager’s production run. The world map, for example, became more detailed and got a more classical look. Ebel modeled the dial of its new 1911 Globe after the later-production Voyager dials.
My connection to the style of the 1990s
If I see the new 1911 Globe and the Voyagers that came before, I am transported back to the early 1990s. I was a teenager back then, and I became fascinated with style. Whether it was good or bad style didn’t matter. I became interested in architecture, sneakers, fashion, furniture, and cars. Architecturally, I have a strong dislike for the style of the ’90s. Many Dutch architects ruined the old centers of cities and towns with lifeless futuristic creations in light colors that mostly looked out of place. Three decades later, they are often ugly and smudgy representations of overambitious creative minds who were more interested in making a name for themselves than serving the areas of which their creations needed to become a part.
But I am drifting off here. Of course, watches were also part of that stylistic equation that became important to me in the ’90s. As most of you know, Ebel was a prestigious brand back then. With strong ties to tennis, a sport that dominated my teenage years, Ebel, its watches, and its ambassadors were everywhere. The elegance of many of the brand’s creations always stood out to me. The combination of the nicely flowing case designs and the brilliant wave bracelet made Ebel’s watches distinct. Seeing that style come back in the current Sport Classic and 1911 collection’s design has been great.
The details of the new Ebel 1911 Globe
The new Ebel 1911 Globe has a 42mm stainless steel case that is 10.8mm thick and measures 48mm from lug to lug. This case comes equipped with a crown and screws plated in 18K yellow gold. The stainless steel bezel has a black ceramic insert with the names of 24 cities engraved and executed in a dark gold tone. As you’d guess, the bezel allows the wearer to track the time in 24 locations representing different time zones. Inside the case, we find a green dial that features a glossy gold-colored world map that will blind you every time your eyes hit it.
On the dial’s periphery is a white hour and minute track with small markers. Then, surrounding that white ring is the 24-hour GMT scale, which has a green upper half with white numerals and markings to indicate nighttime and a lower white half with green numerals and markings to represent daytime. At the 6 o’clock position is a window containing a white date disc with black printing. While a color-matched green disc with white printing would have been my preferred solution, this version certainly catches the eye with every glance at the dial. That is a good thing because a lot is happening there.
A Sellita SW330-2 GMT caliber inside
Hovering above the dial are the four gold-colored hands. The hour and minute hands are skeletonized and feature lume-filled tips. The thin seconds hand has a red highlight on the end, whereas the GMT hand features a red arrow-shaped tip filled with white lume. It’s good that the hands have hints of red and white because it’s easy for the gold portions to disappear against the predominantly gold backdrop. However, aside from my love for this flashy dial, I was also pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to read. Sure, it’s nothing like your typical tool watch, but I am more than happy to find a balance between stylishness and functionality with this extravagant dial.
If you turn the watch around, you will see the automatic Swiss movement that powers it. With the help of a loupe, it’s easy to spot that it is a Sellita SW330-2 caliber. This caller-style GMT movement operates at 28,800vph, has 25 jewels, and offers 56 hours of power reserve. The rotor features the Ebel logo, but other than that, the movement displays fairly standard (albeit attractive) finishing. I know this caliber quite well because it also powers my Christopher Ward C65 Dune GMT. While it does not offer the much-desired functionality of a flyer GMT, it has been a great power train for my Christopher Ward.
Wearing the Ebel 1911 Globe
The Ebel 1911 Globe comes with a super comfortable bracelet. The outer links are brushed, while high-polished stainless steel center links flanked by narrow gold-plated outer pieces run down the center. The design and execution fit the watch’s overall style very well. This bracelet is equipped with a butterfly clasp that features the Ebel logo. Because the logo overhangs one end, the clasp only closes one way. I find clasps like this less than ideal, especially if the closing sequence contradicts my natural way of closing a clasp. Luckily, my brain was wired correctly for this one, so it didn’t frustrate me once.
Wearing the Ebel 1911 Globe is an absolute joy. Thanks to its slim profile and elegant, flowing lines, it doesn’t feel like a 42mm watch. It wears more like a 40mm one, and I love that. What also stands out is that the case shape is elegant and sits super nicely on my wrist. The bracelet tapers from 25mm at the case to 19mm at the clasp, giving it an extra injection of elegance. Operating the bezel is easy, although it feels sturdy and qualitative. Overall, the watch does too, and it wears like a charm.
Final thoughts on the Ebel 1911 Globe
By now, you know that I unapologetically love this watch. Yes, the dial is flashy, and yes, the style is over the top and reminiscent of a period that is not always considered the most stylish. But the watch hits exactly the right note with me. I love this piece because it takes me back to a time when I was immersed in exploring new things, and style was one of them. As we all know, style moves in cycles, and the 1911 Globe is the perfect proof of that.
I love that Ebel has brought the design of the Voyager back. I know that not everyone is ready for this, but that’s okay. The people who are will be very pleased to see this new Ebel 1911 Globe. This brilliant, stylish watch is available for €3,600. What you get in return is a glorious combination of retro-infused style and modern-day capabilities. I love that we’re seeing more watches from Ebel these days, and I can’t wait to discover what is next after one of my favorite modern releases from the brand yet.
Let us know in the comments if you are ready for some proper retro Ebel brilliance.
