Introducing the D1 Milano White Sketch, More Than a Gimmick

Let's be honest, as cool as these sketch watches look, it is hard to see them as more than a gimmick, or a temporary fling at best. I expected to have some fun with it when the White Sketch by D1 Milano landed on my desk for a review, but I didn't take it very seriously, and that was a mistake.

D1 Milano is a design-driven watch brand, and design is also where the White Sketch excels. The black lines on a white background convincingly give the impression that you are wearing a watch drawn on paper. D1 Milano put a lot of effort into the dial, which consists of a grid of layers laid over the automatic movement. It adds quite a bit of depth to the watch, highlighted by about the only thing that isn't black or white on this watch, the silver chapter ring. It softly reflects light on the dial and offers a glimpse of the movement underneath, making the White Sketch even more of an eye-catcher than it already is. Readability is not a strong suit for these types of watches, simply by their design, but D1 Milano cleverly made the attachment point of the hands black, so your eyes can more easily focus on it and read the time only a fraction of a second later than on a normal watch.

D1 Milano fitted the White Sketch with a comfortable bracelet with a hidden butterfly clasp. While there are no half-links or micro-adjustment options, the links are small enough on their own that it is easy to find a good fit. Both the bracelet and the case are made from stainless steel, yet are given a white Cerakote coating. This ceramic coating is mostly used in the aerospace and automotive industries, where high demands are met. In the watch world, it is used by brands such as IWC, RZE, and Isotope. It is a pleasant surprise to also see this finish on the D1 Milano, as it offers increased scratch resistance. Also nice are design touches such as the openings in the case on all four corners of the watch. It makes the design a bit more airy and sets it further apart from other designs with an integrated bracelet.

The caseback shows equal care with smooth edges and is secured by no fewer than eight screws. With such a construction, the 5 ATM / 50 meters of water resistance seems a bit low, especially since the White Sketch is also fitted with a screw-down crown. With some minor modifications, higher water resistance should be easily achievable by D1 Milano. The movement is visible through the caseback and is an undisguised Miyota/TMI NH70L automatic movement. D1 Milano doesn't play any games regarding the movement and even identifies it as such on the oscillating weight. The decorations are very sober, but nevertheless suitable for the watch. As the White Sketch is mainly design-driven, a reliable workhorse movement such as this Miyota is a good choice. It is reliable and robust, and adds an extra sense of joy compared to a quartz movement. At 141 grams, the White Sketch also has a nice weight to it, and with its 42 mm case diameter, it wears quite similarly to a full metal G-Shock from the GMW-5000 series.

While $795 is still a significant price for a Miyota-powered watch, this D1 Milano is not the most expensive one on the market today. Its added value lies not so much in the movement, although the brand could have also opted for quartz, but mainly in its unique design and high-end execution. Here, it surpasses its price point. That also has an interesting side effect: it makes what looks like a gimmick at first into a quite serious watch when you are handling it. It makes wearing it not only fun, but also gives you the content feeling of wearing a watch of substance. But, of course, you shouldn't be afraid to draw some attention.

For more info, visit D1 Milano, here.