Introducing: Two New Editions Of The Amida Digitrend In Black And Gold

This year, designer Matthieu Allègre and Depancel founder Clément Meynier brought back the Amida Digitrend. Its ultra-’70s makes heads turn, and with updated technology inside, it’s now more reliable than ever. The Digitrend Take-Off Edition sold out in a flash, so now it’s time to introduce you to the watches that will join the brand’s permanent collection. First, there is, of course, the original steel edition. But to make an even bolder statement, you can now choose between a new black DLC edition and a 4N gold PVD-coated one.

If you’d like to know more about the Amida Digitrend’s history, check out Balazs’s articles. He shared his experience with an original Digitrend from the ’70s here and recently went hands-on with the re-edition as well. Other than the exterior finishes, the watches we’re talking about today are technically the same as the re-edition Balazs reviewed. Let’s take a look.

The Amida Digitrend Steel, Black, and Gold editions

These new watches for the permanent collection have the same updated stainless steel case as the Take-Off Edition from earlier this year. That means they’re 39.8mm wide, 39mm long, and 15.6mm thick. The big news is that you can now choose between the original steel version, one with black DLC, and another with a PVD treatment of 4N gold. All three versions have a mainly brushed finish. Only the ring around the display, the sides of the bracelet, and the bevel encircling the case back are polished.

These three new and non-limited models have a bigger sapphire crystal in the case back than the Take-Off Edition. Through it, you can see the automatic Swiss Soprod Newton P092 movement inside. It runs at a 28,800vph frequency, features 23 jewels, and holds a power reserve of 44 hours. It has a nine-component module on top, which drives the two discs for jumping hours and minutes. These discs are in a horizontal position, but thanks to the sapphire Light Reflecting Display (LRD), you can read the time from the side of the Digitrend.

The stainless steel bracelet with quick-release spring bars tapers from 22mm at the case to 18mm at the push-button-operated butterfly clasp. An emblem on top displays the Amida brand name. This looks nice, but it means you must close the bracelet in a specific order; otherwise, it’s in the way.

In the hand…

Those are the facts, but I think the Amida Digitrend is more about the feeling it gives you. This is a watch with a very unusual case shape. You’ll probably either love or hate it. I’m a big fan of its quirky design and the all-mechanical movement inside. However, until recently, I had never had any hands-on experience with the Amida Digitrend, neither the old nor the new one. According to Balazs’s article, the original Digitrend and its bracelet felt somewhat fragile. Also, the one-jewel movement and jump-hour module didn’t feel very sturdy.

I’m happy to report that the re-edition of the Amida Digitrend and its bracelet both feel very solid. I get the same feeling when winding the watch and setting the time with the push-pull crown on the right side of the case. Although it still looks like a watch from the ’70s, its construction undoubtedly feels like it’s from 2024.

…and on the wrist

The Amida Digitrend’s dimensions might make it look like a squarish, thick little block. However, it doesn’t feel like that on the wrist. Its organic shape is much more comfortable than it may seem. On my 17cm wrist, the 39mm “lug-to-lug” measurement worked well. In addition, the rounded sides make it feel slimmer than it is in reality. It does look a lot less like a watch because, from above, all you see is steel. Reading the time off of its elongated display also takes some effort. That’s especially because the actual “display” lies rather far back in the case. But I guess you have to sacrifice some convenience for quirkiness here.

Let me be completely honest with you: the original steel version is still my favorite of the three. The unusual case shape already stands out enough for me. I’m also not a fan of blacked-out watches in general, and the gold version has a slight pink hue, which is also not my favorite. However, I do feel these two new colors suit the Digitrend’s ’70s style. You could also say that the black DLC version is for people who want a stealthier option, while the 4N gold PVD version is for those who can’t get enough of standing out. In any case, it’s nice that you can now match your style with one of these three options.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, I love that there is an updated version of the Amida Digitrend, and it’s great that it’s now available in three colors. Watches like the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0, the SpaceOne Jumping Hour, and this Digitrend offer something truly different among all the conventionally shaped watches out there. Besides, the jump-hour complication is a great mechanical variation on the usual three-hand dial. I think it’s great that passionate people are keeping it alive, especially in such an original case shape the Digitrend’s.

These three Amida Digitrend versions go on sale today for CHF 2,900 (steel), CHF 3,250 (black), and CHF 3,500 (gold), excluding VAT. For those prices, the watches each come on a comfortable Alcantara strap. If you’d like to get yours on the stainless steel bracelet, you’ll have to pay CHF 350 extra before VAT. Apart from the official Amida website, you can also purchase a Digitrend from one of the brand’s retail partners — Chronopassion in Paris, Prjkt8 in Bahrain, Chronométrie Clarence in Geneva, 10Ten Labs in Jeddah, and Swiss Prestige in Taipei.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the Amida Digitrend and its new colors!