A photographic review of the Holthinrichs RAW Ornament

I know about the Holthinrichs watches since 2016. The idea of 3-D printed metal was not new to me but watches printing was, certainly, uncharted territories. If I remember well, it was Michiel that approached me at first and we met at Basel in 2017. Since he is a crazy guy loving his watches and always innovating and I am another crazy guy loving watches and always in search for innovation and we both in the search for the new… You get the idea – an instant connection was made and now I am honoured to call him my friend. So this, let’s call it a “review”, will be different. I will let the pictures do the talking with me adding some info at the caption of each.

Disclaimer: the pictures are done in a photographic unfriendly environment and suffered some photoshop manipulation. Some photos lack the colour consistency, correct exposure and so on. But since this is not the usual review and Michiel liked the photos, I considered that is more important to showcase the watches. Before diving into the pictures, have a look at the video from Baselworld 2019.

Holthinrichs RAW Ornament White Rhodium and Pale Gold

The find information about the RAW Ornament you need to open the pictures in the gallery mode. Just click on the image. Enjoy!

This is the Holthinrichs RAW Ornament White Rhodium. As the name suggests, the watch features an in-house produced dial with rhodium plating.

The first thing that strikes when you wrist a Holthinrichs watch is the lightweight. Due to 3-D printing process, the case has only the amount of material need it for a solid construction. This permits to maximise the efficiency of metal use.

Michiel Holthinrichs is an architect. His artistic mind and his knowledge lead to the creation of one of the most beautiful cases in the watch industry.

The back of the watch reveals the movement. The calibres used in the RAW Ornament receive a special treatment, to match the entire look of the watch.

The “not-so-hidden” Holthinrichs signature is visible on the left side of the case.

The elegant lines of the case are continued by the domed crystal. The watch abounds in carefully mastered details. Note the gorgeous crown with Holthinrichs logo

The lightweight slim design is further improved by the skeletonised lugs and case. There is no unnecessary metal mass present, other than the signature – as decoration.

The classic oblique view reveals the beauty of the case decoration. Some of the details received a polish, including the signature. The rest of the case keeps its raw finish of the metal printing process.

Another classic oblique view highlighting the crown’s view.

The RAW Ornament’s back receives the same attention and care to the details as the front of the watch.

The case back is not decorated with a negative engraving. The inscription is realised during the printing process. the caseback receives a hand polishing. The movement is reworked by hand to fit in the watch’s theme.

The lugs seem to bite from the case – the lugs start on top and finish, sinuously, on the back.

Detail of the skeletonised lug. Exquisite design and finishes. The architectural structures serve as decoration and also as reinforcement.

The rhodium-plated dial has a delicate frosted finish. The dials are produced in-house.

The gorgeous dial of the White Rhodium version from an unusual perspective. Note the sunken small seconds sub-dial placed at 6 o’clock.

The Holthinrichs pin buckle has to suffer the same treatment as the case. I can recognise in the buckle details Michiel’s obsession for perfection.

The RAW Ornament White Rhodium is equally beautiful on the back side.

The RAW Ornament hands are filled with a lovely bleu shade of SuperLuminova. This detail enriches the overall beauty.

A gorgeous piece signed Michiel Holthinrichs. The price starts from 5500€ (excluding VAT)

This is the Holthinrichs RAW Ornament Pale Gold. The name comes from the gold plating of the frosted dial.

Sublime on the wrist, the Pale Gold shines in a spectacular way.

The RAW Ornament is 3D printed with surgical steel 316L. The 38mm diameter place the watch in the classic, dress watch category.

A highlighted view of the signature present on the left side of the case. Technically speaking, the printing is well executed.

The 10 mm case thickness and the skeletonised construction have as result a light and comfortable wear.

Michiel takes special care of the signature: this hard to reach case detail is hand polished.

Another view of the RAW Ornaments case that reveals details of the case’s construction.

Raised perspective of the crown on the Holthinrichs RAW Ornament Pale Gold. That crown is fabulous.

One of the small details I love about the Holthinrichs watches is the ease in setting and winding – completely effortless but with good feedback.

The Swiss movement of the Pale Gold received a gold frosted finish to accompany the dial in it’s thematic.

The movement is 42 hours power reserve hand-wound calibre. Its heart beats 21600 vph / 3Hz.

The dial is adorned with printed Holthinrichs signature on top and a large railtrack. The combination offers good legibility. By low light, the white Superluminova makes a charming appearance.

The large register has bold indexes for the hour’s indication. The small seconds sub-dial features a delicate register. Note the “Made in Delft” print.

The hands are manufactured in surgical steel 316L using micro-laser cut and etching. The hands are skeletonised and have handmade anglage. The hands are produced in the Netherlands.

The Holthinrichs RAW Ornament timepieces are fit with splendid straps, hand made in Germany.

Beautiful, elegant and rare, the RAW Ornament watches are the perfect examples of the independent watchmaking. The Holthinrichs pack innovation, exclusivity and delightfulness.

For more information, please visit the Holthinrichs Watches Website.