Mr Jones Watches The Ascendent Owner Review : Poetic, original and soothing

I like watches both classic watches and those that are out of the ordinary. This last category is a specialty of the brand which has many dials, each as crazy and moving as the next. I had already spotted this particular model for 3 years, I hesitated for a very long time and the meteoric rise in price of all the models of the brand almost put me off for good. This is also one of the notable black points, the price of this watch for what it offers. We go from a model at €280 when I discovered it (I think we could find it around €200 on Ocarat) to €385. It is thanks to a private sale on Chrono24 that I was able to acquire it new at €280 a year ago. I would never have bought this watch at the current price. The first things people say to me about this watch are "it's very beautiful but how do you read the time?", and after explanation I get "but it's not easy at all". Let's clarify things, after a few days on my wrist I have no difficulty reading the time. There is sometimes a micro reflection to be sure, but that's it. If there was only the dial to note I find it flawless, it is very poetic and takes the light remarkably well. I don't find that the poor readability in low light is a problem since when you choose this watch you know that this is not what you are asking of it. I particularly like taking the time to observe the minute disc moving slowly and passing through the foliage as well as behind the horizon line, it is soothing. We have a nice play of texture and depth, which without being exceptional, is convincing, makes the whole detailed and harmonious. It is always a nice moment to observe this dial. Once the ecstasy on the dial (overhung by a sapphire crystal it must be said) has passed, it is necessary to address the other points. And that is where it annoys a little. At first the case clearly feels cheap. This one is reused on all the watches of the brand. In itself it would not be a problem if it were of quality. To the touch we feel that it is average, it is neither robust nor worked. There is no effort made on the finishes of the case, no subtlety. The horns are too thin and too long for my taste. The finesse must bring a little elegance, here it brings a perceived quality rather low. The false crown on the left goes in this direction too. I have no worries with the real crown which is quite small and not marked with the logo (already present on the dummy crown), it is neither easy nor difficult to handle. The case back is engraved (of a ridiculous depth). This is certainly one of the worst parts of the model, very dirty and catchy to the touch, it's really bad. It shares the title of worst part with the Milanese mesh bracelet. It only has one safety and the feel really has a very poor perceived quality. To say I tested the Milanese mesh at 10€ at Amazon and it's a little better, that gives you an idea. Finally we finish on the movement, a Seagull st 1721. The winding is rather noisy. I did not check its precision since I rarely wear the same watch for 2 consecutive days and the watch does not have a second hand. After reflection a quartz movement to lower the price could have been more judicious. Finally the packaging, nice but nothing more, no need to dwell on the subject. My conclusion is the title, everything is in the dial. It is indeed its main advantage and disadvantage. When you think about the price it's even more true. At 385€ the quality of the case and bracelet is just unacceptable. It's not worth its current price. However its totally unique dial makes my heart skip a beat every time. It deserves to stay in the collection.