New But Old - Serica Parade Ref. 1174 'Linen' Review

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of reviewing the first two Parade models. It was not only one of the first reviews I had written, but also the review that opened my eyes to this wonderful brand. Ever since, I have always kept an eye on what the team over in Paris are getting up to, and now there is a new model in the Parade lineup.

This is the Serica Parade Linen Ref. 1174, a linen dial variant of the French Maison’s dressiest piece and that brings the nostalgia in droves.

This watch utilised Serica’s new Parade case design. A line that when it launched was a grand departure from any previous models. Nonetheless, it was a brilliant watch and received great feedback from the community proving that Serica is not just a one watch pony!

Inside the stadium case is the Soprod M100 automatic calibre with a power reserve of 42 hours. A movement familiar to anyone that owns the existing Parade model. The case is once again 100m water resistant and has shock resistance to help keep the movement as accurate as possible. The sandwich style case construction makes this water resistance possible all while keeping the thickness to a suitably svelte 8.2mm. Perfect for a dress watch that will sit under a cuff. The case is 35mm across including those wing shaped edges, and 41mm in lug length. This case size suits both male and female wrists equally well.

While the base watch is essentially the same, it means that we can focus on the biggest update here – the dial.

I have always been intrigued by linen dials. Partially because of my love for vintage Rolex, and partially because you don’t often see them in modern watches. They add intricacy and detail to any watch design without being overly bold. Many of the colours they come in are, as you would expect, softer fabric-like tones which inspire calmness and warmth. To some people the thought of linen may remind them of laundry, and how long it’s been since they last did any and then they’d get stressed. But for me it evokes a calming sense, like linen hanging out to dry in the sun with blue skies and a gentle breeze. Or fresh bedding, ready to be tucked into after a hard day at work. Lovely!

I love the almost organic textures that are created by these dials. Linen is of course not a natural material, but thanks to its finely woven fibres, the patterns it creates are complex and oftentimes unique. The two shades available are named ‘Tabacco’ and ‘Slate’. Both are subtle in the saturation of the colour which adds to the vintage aesthetic. I think Tabacco is my favourite of the two, it feels warm and old while also brand new. Like when your Dad’s been wearing the same pair of slippers for ten years and you have to buy him a new pair but they’re the same as the treasured old pair just new. That’s what this dial colour feels like, new but old and familiar.

The blue, I feel, is more modern in aesthetic. It’s something about the steel and blue that make it look more contemporary. The shade of blue, named ‘slate’, is perfectly dark. What I mean by that is it is dark enough to be understated, rich, and warm but not so dark that it appears black in lower light conditions. In brighter lights, the blue becomes livelier. A perfect balance of fun and class. I imagine this will be the more popular of the two colours, but I’ve been wrong before!

I know that this isn’t strictly related to this watch, but I thought that as I am discussing Serica, I wanted to mention how much I love the brand as a whole. Many watch brands have attempted to capture the feeling of vintage, times gone by or an ‘old money’ aesthetic as the TikTok calls it. To me Serica have perfectly captured these feelings while producing a high quality, modern product. And this isn’t some marketing strategy, this is the brand identity. I wanted to point this out because seeing some of the lovely images taken alongside a Fender Telecaster reminded me that this is a brand that is doing branding right. Great watches are about more than just tech specs, hype or other people’s opinions. It’s about passion, lifestyle, and a shared interest across many areas of life. Perhaps I’m biased because the branding is great watches, old Porsches and guitars, all of which I have a love for. But nonetheless, I just wanted to highlight this and say well done, Serica. Well done!

This watch is currently available for preorder from the Serica website for £1,322. Shipping will begin in mid-November. If you can’t wait that long to see one, go say hi to them in their Paris boutique on Rue de Turenne!

Overall, I am a big fan of this update to the Parade. I think I might even prefer the linen dial to the sunburst effect of the original. It’s lovely to see a watch that is modern at heart but classic on the outside.

Case

Material: 316L steel
Water resistance: 10BAR (100M)
Dimensions: 35 mm x 41 mm
Thickness: 8.2 mm
Lug to lug: 18 mm
Finishes: Brushed and Mirror polished
Crown: Non-screw-down

Movement

Caliber: Soprod M100, Swiss mechanical self-winding movement, 25 rubies
Finishes: Côtes de Genève
Frequency: 28,800 ALT/HR (4HZ)
Power reserve: 42 hours

Bezel

‘Double-step’ bezel with linear brushed flat top and polished chamfers

Dial

Finish: Textured dial reproducing the interwoven fibers of linen
Hour markers: Polished half-sphere indexes, hand-applied
Colour: Slate or Tabacco

Crystal

Glass: Beveled sapphire
Thickness: 1.3 mm
Anti-reflective coating: Treatment on the inner surface

Hands

Shape: Domed Sword Hands
Finish: Mirror polish

Bracelet
Material: Alligator-embossed calf leather
Dimensions: 18 mm – 14 mm
Buckle: Signature 'Stadium' | 316L Steel | 18-14 mm