Your Next Watch: Explore the Stowa Partitio Grey today...
Welcome back to Your Next Watch, an ongoing series that looks at the watches you’re considering buying and breaks them down based on real hands-on experience.
Continuing our unintentional theme of time-only watches as of late, we look towards a German brand that is probably most known for their heavy ties to fliegers, marine chronometers and clean Bauhaus inspired creations. The watch we’re exploring today relates closest to the latter - oh and this specific version is limited to just 100.
The Stowa Partitio Grey Limited - What it does
Don’t be convinced by the Partitio 's modern look, the original design the Partitio takes heavy influence from can be seen on models dating back to the 1930s, proving that the art of simplicity is also timeless.
The Stowa Partitio on the Besford Leather - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Coming in at 37mm wide, with a thickness of 10.8mm and a lug to lug measurement of right around 46mm the Stowa is on the smaller side of watchmaking. It’s worth taking particular note of the lug and case design of the watch as well. The case keeps things simple and goes for a clean round traditional design with the rounded bezel being the only distinguishing feature. The lugs, however, are very long and prominent. The lug to case ratio means the Partitio's small footprint only feel smaller when on the wrist.
The long lugs of the Stowa Partitio - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Partitio Classic is available in three different dial colours. Black, white or grey. Matt black and white are the standards, original options with the sunburst grey being reserved exclusively for this limited edition model we have with us today.
The Stowa Partitio - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The first telltale sign this watch has historical ties are those syringe hands. This injects a level of class and elegance into a typically vanilla watch type. The Arabic numerals of the Partitio are well proportioned with a subtle green tone to them thanks to the addition of lume throughout. The second hand has dropped any sign of a counterbalance creating a short but distinctive look. Stowa also opted for their older logo here which we’re naturally big fans of.
The Stowa Partitio - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Turning the watch over we get a look at the ETA 2824-2 powering the Partitio Classic in grey. On the non-limited edition models, the movement is hidden behind a solid case back so it’s a fantastic addition to be able to see the now-iconic movement in its own right ticking away.
The ETA 2824-2 of the Stowa Partitio - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The ETA is the top grade with Geneva stripes and blued screws. What can we say about the 2824-2 that hasn’t been said before? There’s a reason why it’s one of the most popular movements. It’s practically bulletproof with a reputation to match.
Getting hands-on with the Stowa Partitio
This watch has managed to pull off a difficult task. Something which is hard to execute and pull off well. It’s managed to find uniqueness in such a simple design. On paper and in person the watch is a simply designed time-only watch with a universally approved design. However, where this watch really transforms is on the wrist. The watch has an unexplainable quirky charm that exudes when paired with the right strap (more on that in a moment).
The Stowa Partitio on the Classic Mesh - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The lugs play a big part in how the watch feels on the wrist. In fact, the watch can easily be split into thirds with the lugs taking one third and the dial and case taking the remaining two respectfully. Of course, the sunburst grey adds to the watches flair. The inclusion of syringe hands cleverly hints at the historical relevance of the watch. If you weren’t aware of the original model from the 30s, the watch hands effectively portray this watch has more of a story behind it than other modern designs.
The Stowa Partitio on the Besford Leather - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Stowa performed most effectively when worn in a smart casual situation. This makes it ideal for office wear, effectively getting the balance right between professionalism and style. Naturally, I experimented with a few strap options...this is where the watch really came into its own.
Replacement watch straps for the Stowa Partitio
The Stowa Partitio comes in at 18mm wide at the lugs. I think the watch could have pulled off with 20mm lugs, however, 18mm does mean it’s a little more elegant and considered on the wrist. Let’s jump straight into some strap suggestions.
The Painswick Leather in Distressed Brown
The Painswick is a personal favourite for smaller, thin clean watches and the Stowa fits the bill perfectly. The Distressed Brown is my go-to choice here as it interjects some much-welcomed warmth to the watch, avoiding the piece feeling washed out. Check out the Painswick Leather here.
The Besford Leather in Chestnut Brown
The Stowa Partitio on the Besford Leather - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Much like the Painswick, the Besford in Chestnut has a similar effect in warming up the watches aesthetic. The slightly different tone of brown makes the watch feel a little smarter on the wrist with the final icing on the cake being the white stitching. This picks up on the white lume on the dial to emphasis the watches clean look. Check out the Besford Leather here.
The Classic Mesh in Polished
The Stowa Partitio on the Classic Mesh - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Now it seems every time we look at a clinical time only typically Bauhaus style watch we end up putting it on a mesh. And this time we can’t help ourselves, the Stowa is no different. Go for a Classic Mesh to really add a sense of pop to a normally subdued piece.
When mesh look this good, how can we resist? Check out the Classic Mesh strap here.
Things we would change
Two 37mm watches, two very different looks... - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Normally we have a few points we’d like to see changed on watches reviewed, however here on the Stowa the only feature is the size. Normally a watch coming in at 37mm would receive no complaints from me however due to the fact the lugs really make themself seen on this watch the case itself can feel a little small. If this was 39mm, I think the balance between lug and case would seem a little fairer and it would appeal to more wrists.
Final thoughts on the Stowa Partitio
The Stowa Partitio Grey takes an already individual looking piece and spices it up with a sunburst grey dial. This is another example of a watch punching above its weight (The Christopher Ward C65 Sandhurst was the same). And let’s not forget this model is limited to only 100 pieces. That instantly makes it more desirable with watch collectors.
The standard version of the Stowa Partitio comes in at 770 euros with the limited edition totalling 980 euros.
It looks like finalising this article Stowa recently announced their Vintage Black Partitio. This is a model that really doubles down on the heritage of the watch and is well worth checking out! To find out more check out the Stowa site here.
