An Attention-Getting Entry-Level Automatic: Sensibly Sized & Priced Right

Words/Photography: Me / Model: Bryce McD, Jason C

Earlier this year I reviewed the James McCabe Heritage Retrograde, a quartz-powered 39.5mm casual-wear watch that I thought – and still think – is a total aesthetic knockout. It’s got a distinct steampunk look and the multi-color ion-coated case is a real sweet party trick. It was the first James McCabe I’ve reviewed, but not the first from Dartmouth Brands, parent company to JM (as well as Avi-8 and DuFa).

Hey, wouldn’t you know- here’s an automatic from James McCabe with the same case and similar aesthetics as the Heritage Retrograde. While the dial loses a few complications, the watch itself gains a Miyota automatic that is nicely decorated and shown off via a mineral exhibition caseback.

This is one of the few watches that’s as much fun to photograph as it is to wear, and from that perspective, it’s a solid win. From a watch enthusiasts perspective, however, the Heritage Automatic is fun but the barebones automatic movement itself doesn’t live up to its captivating good-looks of the rest of the watch.

Despite an entry-level movement, the Heritage Automatic is a solid watch to consider if you’re wanting something distinctly styled and still 100% watch. If you want to add an inexpensive automatic to your collection, and you want that watch to be something special, well, you’ll want to keep reading…

Disclosure: James McCabe provided this Heritage Automatic at no-charge for the purposes of this review.