This Affordable, Automatic Watch Is Sized and Priced Just Right

UK-based microbrand Hervé’s first watch is the Alvia, and it features an automatic movement, 38mm case, versatile looks and a $380 price tag.

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Boutique brands and the variety they offer add real color and personality to the watch landscape. They seem to pop up regularly, and discovering them can be a hobby in itself. Thankfully many make an effort to offer strong value and remain affordable, such as British brand Hervé, which recently introduced their first model, the Alvia.

The Hervé Alvia will tick the right boxes for many watch enthusiasts, with retro-inspired design reminiscent of the Heuer Carrera and a “mid-sized,” 38mm-wide case. It aims, according to the brand, to be versatile as a watch that can transition easily between formal and casual. A 50m water resistance with a screw-down crown offers assurance that it’s not too delicate.

While powered by a simple Seiko NH35 automatic movement, the Alvia does include premium features like sapphire crystal. Available in three sunburst-finished dial variants in black, blue, and gray — which are matched to leather straps — the watch has a price of $380 and is available directly from the brand.