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Pinion pieces have always been good value for money. They’re solid, reliable and well-made and, while they don’t have all the frill attached that some British watchmakers adore, they do their job better than most. That’s why I was a little dubious at first when trying on their new ‘entry level’ piece.

They already had a good balance between price and quality, what were they going to do? Churn out something cheap and nasty? Well, the price may have come down, but the quality really hasn’t. The ATOM is every bit a Pinion and every bit a great – not to mention affordable – watch.

Style-wise it reminds me of the IWC Ingenieur with a little more thought put in. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the minimal bulk of IWC’s kind-of-sports watch, but the thinner bezel and lugs of the ATOM along with the extra finishing on the dial speak volumes about Pinion’s attention to detail.

The inner dial is machined with a geometric pattern, almost hobnailed while the outer dial has a satin sheen to it. It’s a nice little contrast, as is the difference in the larger compass-point numerals and the smaller ones in a green rhodium colour. Even the bezel is stepped for that little bit more detail.

On the wrist it feels just right at 41mm; it could almost do with an extra and personally I’d like a 44mm version, though perhaps as part of a chronograph rather than the date-only. It’s slim too. At 11mm so you can wear it a little more formally than other watches of its ilk.

Inside the Miyota 9015 movement is solid and dependable – especially with a case water resistant to 100m – if not particularly ground-breaking. You know nothing’s going to upset it and if it means a price tag under £1,000 it’s worth conceding a little in the beauty stakes. Sure, there’s charm to Pinion’s new-old-stock movements in the Revival but there’s nothing to actively complain about here.

That in fact brings us to the crux of what makes the ATOM special. The finishing and attention to detail are exceptional and its an easily wearable, wonderfully reliable watch. Having the British identity is always a plus point in our book too. But to manage a watch like the ATOM for £790? That’s nothing short of spectacular. More at: pinionwatches.com