There are thousands of watch brands competing for attention at every price point, and most of them are saying roughly the same things. anOrdain is not. Since launching in Glasgow in 2018, this small Scottish independent has built one of the most genuine followings in modern horology by doing something almost no other brand at its price level attempts: making enamel dials entirely by hand, in-house, using a technique that dates back centuries and that most of the watch industry quietly gave up on long ago. The waitlist stretches years. The workshop produces a few hundred watches annually. And yet the demand keeps growing. Whether you are trying to work out which model suits you best, how the buying process actually works, or simply whether an anOrdain is worth the wait and the money, everything you need is covered below.
The Story Behind anOrdain Watches
Some of the most compelling stories in watchmaking do not begin in the halls of a Swiss manufacture with centuries of history behind them. anOrdain’s began beside a remote loch in the Scottish Highlands, with a designer, a typographer, and an enameller who spent years learning a craft that most of the industry had long since abandoned.
Lewis Heath first thought about starting a watch brand while visiting Loch an Ordain, a quiet and largely unremarkable stretch of water in the Scottish Highlands. The name stuck, and so did the idea. In 2015, he founded the company in Glasgow with a small founding team that included Imogen Ayres, a typographer who would shape the brand’s distinctive lettering and visual identity, as one of its earliest members.
From the start, the plan was never to resell someone else’s product with a new logo on the dial. Heath wanted to bring enamel dial production fully in-house, which is a rare thing even among Swiss manufacturers, and almost unheard of at the price points anOrdain would eventually target. That meant years of research and trial before a single watch went on sale.
That patience paid off in 2018, when the Model 1 launched. It had a hand-made enamel dial, syringe-style hands, and a clean case design with typography drawn from vintage Ordnance Survey maps of the Scottish Highlands. Limited to 300 pieces, it sold out quickly and put anOrdain on the map almost overnight.
The Model 2 followed in 2019, taking a different direction by leaning into field watch proportions while keeping the enamel dial at the centre. It gave the brand a second distinct character and broadened its appeal beyond pure dress watch collectors. The original Model 2 launched at 36mm, closer to the sizing used on army-issue watches during World War II.
In 2020, anOrdain collaborated with fellow Scottish brand Paulin Watches on the Paulin Neo, designing the dial for that project. The connection between the two companies ran deeper than business: Paulin was founded by Charlotte Paulin, who is Lewis Heath’s wife, making the partnership a natural one.
By 2022, anOrdain released the Model 2 MkII, offering updated case sizes of 36mm and 39.5mm, new typography, and a refreshed dial colour palette. Production of the Model 2 was capped at around 200 watches per year due to how long each enamel dial takes to produce.
In 2023, anOrdain acquired Paulin Watches outright, with Imogen Ayres taking on the additional role of creative director at Paulin. The two brands continue to operate separately but share workshop space and production facilities in Glasgow.
Most recently, anOrdain introduced porcelain dials for the Model 2, a material the team spent three years developing with input from potters in Stoke-on-Trent. The porcelain dials are fired at up to 1300°C and are made entirely in-house, adding another handcrafted material to the brand’s offering alongside its established enamel work.
What began as a three-person workshop with no established watchmaking infrastructure has grown into one of the most talked-about independent brands in the world. That did not happen through marketing. It happened because the watches kept earning attention on their own, and the people who bought them rarely wanted to part with them.
What Makes anOrdain Watches Worth the Wait
Most watches at this price point use printed or painted dials. anOrdain does not, and that single difference is the core reason the brand has built the following it has. The craft behind each dial takes years to master, fails far more often than it succeeds, and produces something that no machine can replicate. It is worth taking the time to understand exactly what goes into these watches and why collectors keep waiting years to own one.
The Enamel Dial
The technique anOrdain uses is called grand feu, or vitreous enamel. It is one of the oldest decorative processes in watchmaking, dating back to the end of the 17th century, and for most of the 20th century it nearly disappeared entirely. Today it remains the preserve of a small number of workshops worldwide, the majority of which are in Switzerland or Japan.
The process works by taking finely powdered glass, applying it by hand to a metal base, and then firing it in a kiln at around 840°C. At that temperature the powder melts and fuses permanently to the metal surface. Multiple layers are built up this way, with each one being fired separately and sanded back before the next is applied. An anOrdain enamel dial goes through this process up to eight times before it is finished. The result is a surface with a depth and clarity that no printing process can replicate. The colour does not fade, chip, or scratch in the way a painted dial will over time.
The failure rate for enamel dials is exceptionally high across the industry, historically running at between 80 and 90 percent. anOrdain has brought their own rejection rate down to around 30 percent, which is a significant achievement, but it still means a meaningful proportion of completed dials are scrapped. This is a large part of why production stays limited and why waitlists stretch to years rather than weeks.
The Fumé Dial
One of the most talked-about things anOrdain has done is develop the fumé enamel dial, which the brand describes as the world’s first of its kind in enamel. The technique was not planned. In 2017, the team was experimenting with transparent enamel on silver instead of the usual copper base, and noticed that the silver warped during firing, creating a domed shape. When they sanded the surface flat, the enamel was thicker and darker at the edges and lighter in the centre, producing a natural gradient. The effect was striking enough to spend over a year developing a way to reproduce it reliably.
The result is a dial that shifts from a vivid centre tone out to a darker, smoky outer edge. It responds to light differently depending on the angle, which makes it look like a different watch depending on where you are. anOrdain first released fumé dials on the Model 2 in 2019 and later brought them to the Model 1 in 2020.
The Custom Typography
Something unusual about anOrdain is that the typeface used on the dials was designed before any of the watches were. The numerals and text were developed in-house by Imogen Ayres, drawing on the lettering found in vintage Ordnance Survey maps of the Scottish Highlands. Those maps used a serifed typeface for major names and a sans-serif for smaller details, and anOrdain mirrors that same logic on the dial face. The main numerals use the serif style while the minute track uses the sans-serif. Every watch carries this bespoke type, which means you will not find the same font on any other brand’s product.
The Model 2 took the typography in a slightly different direction, with its typeface inspired by 1950s industrial equipment, including a laboratory clock that belonged to Lewis Heath’s grandfather.
Why Production Stays Small
anOrdain produces roughly 40 enamel dials per month across the whole team. Total annual output sits at around 400 to 500 watches depending on the model mix. Each dial is made by a single enameller from start to finish, which means the person who starts a dial is also the person who completes it. That approach keeps quality consistent and also means the team cannot simply add more people to speed things up overnight, since mastering the enamelling process alone takes thousands of hours.
The demand that has built around the brand means that new customers are typically looking at a wait of over two years for many models. anOrdain manages this through a reservation and waitlist system rather than open sales.
The Porcelain Dial
More recently, anOrdain introduced porcelain as a second handmade dial material for the Model 2. Porcelain starts from a clay body rather than glass powder, and is fired at temperatures as high as 1300°C, significantly higher than enamel. anOrdain spent three years developing the process, working alongside skilled potters in Stoke-on-Trent, which has been the centre of British pottery for centuries. The porcelain dials are made entirely in-house and each one carries its own natural variation in texture and finish.
Value Compared to Swiss Alternatives
Enamel dials at this level of quality are typically found on watches from houses like Breguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Ulysse Nardin, where prices can run into the tens of thousands. anOrdain’s current range sits roughly between £1,600 and £3,500 depending on the model and dial type. That gap in cost for the same fundamental process, made entirely by hand in a small Glasgow workshop, is what has driven the waitlist to where it is today.
Top 10 Best anOrdain Watches
anOrdain’s catalogue is deliberately small. Every watch they make shares the same commitment to handmade dials and clean, restrained design, so the differences between models come down to dial type, colour, case size, and what you plan to do with the watch. Rather than ranking these purely by popularity, the list below covers the references that are worth knowing about and explains clearly what each one offers and who it suits best.
1. Model 1 Fumé Blue
The fumé Blue is probably the watch most people picture when they think of anOrdain. It sits on a 38mm polished steel case, 11mm thick, with a silver dial base that produces the brand’s signature gradient effect. The blue shifts from a vivid, light-filled centre outward to a deep indigo edge, and it looks different in almost every lighting condition. Movement options are the hand-wound Sellita SW210 or the automatic La Joux-Perret G101, with a sapphire crystal and 50m water resistance. This is the reference that put anOrdain on the map for most collectors and remains the most instantly recognisable thing the brand makes.
2. Model 1 Oxblood
The Oxblood is one of the bolder choices in the Model 1 lineup, using a deep, almost burgundy-red vitreous enamel on copper that reads differently depending on the light. It is available in all three case sizes: 35mm, 38mm, and 41mm, with case depths of 10.1mm and 11mm respectively, making it one of the most size-flexible options in the range. The straw-finished hands provide a warm contrast against the red dial. For someone who wants a dress watch that actually gets noticed without leaning on a logo, the Oxblood earns its reputation as a customer favourite.
3. Model 1 Parisian Blue
Where the Fumé Blue uses a gradient, the Parisian Blue is a flat opaque enamel on copper that produces a rich, consistent colour across the whole dial face. It is one of the original colourways and one of the most enduringly popular. The enamel sits on a copper base rather than silver, which gives it a different kind of depth to the fumé references. Available in 35mm, 38mm, and 41mm cases. The Sellita SW210 hand-wound movement is the base option, with the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic as an upgrade.
4. Model 1 Iron Cream
Iron Cream is one of anOrdain’s most wearable colourways. It sits in warm, off-white territory that pairs easily with a wide range of clothing, from formal shirts to casual knitwear. It is particularly well suited to the Large 41mm case, where the dial has more room to show off its subtle warmth. Like all Model 1 references, it uses vitreous enamel on copper and is available with either the hand-wound Sellita or the automatic La Joux-Perret. If versatility matters as much as craft, this is likely the easiest anOrdain to live with day to day.
5. Model 1 Fumé Plum
The Plum Fumé takes the brand’s gradient technique in a more unexpected direction. The colour sits somewhere between purple and warm brown depending on the light and angle, making it one of the more nuanced references in the collection. Like all fumé references, the base is silver rather than copper, and the domed silver blank creates the gradient as the translucent enamel deepens toward the edges. Case is 38mm, 11mm deep, with 50m water resistance and the same movement choices as the rest of the Model 1 fumé family.
6. Model 2 Racing Green (Large)
The Model 2 takes the brand’s enamel work and puts it into a field watch format. The Racing Green in the 39.5mm large case is the version most often recommended by people who want an anOrdain they can wear more casually, not just with a suit. The brushed steel case, crown guard, and Super-LumiNova tipped hands make it noticeably more robust in character than the Model 1. Movement is either the Sellita SW210 hand-wound or the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic, case is 39.5mm by 11mm, 50m water resistant. The green enamel on copper produces a rich, saturated colour that sits a step above the usual green watches in this category.
7. Model 2 White (Large)
The White Model 2 is perhaps the most understated thing anOrdain makes. The white enamel on copper is paired with blue ink typography and heat-treated blue hands, giving the watch a distinctly nautical feel. It is clean, legible, and wears easily. At 39.5mm in the large case with a polished finish, it is also one of the most versatile references in the Model 2 family. The same movement choices apply as across the rest of the Model 2 lineup.
8. Model 2 Porcelain (Large)
Launched in 2025, the Porcelain is the newest direction in the Model 2 lineup. The dial is made from clay with a high-fired glaze incorporating iron oxide, which produces a black so deep it borders on reflective. Gold-plated hands filled with Super-LumiNova and a red central seconds hand provide contrast. The movement is the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic with a 68-hour power reserve, the longest in the anOrdain range. Case is 39.5mm, 11mm deep, brushed steel with 50m water resistance. Production is limited to around 30 dials per month and there is currently a six-month wait from order. Priced at £1,800 excluding VAT, it is one of the most accessible ways to buy a current anOrdain.
9. Model 3 Method Aqua
The Model 3 Method is the most technically ambitious watch anOrdain has made. The dial starts from a hand-chiselled block of wood, created by Method Studio, a Scottish woodworking workshop. That texture was scanned at Glasgow School of Art using a high-precision light scanner, converted to a CAD file, and laser-cut into a steel die that stamps each silver dial blank. Layers of translucent aqua enamel are then applied over the textured surface, building up colour across an uneven base that creates far more opportunity for defects than a flat dial. The 39mm steel case is 10.5mm deep and holds the Sellita SW300 automatic with a 42-hour power reserve. Priced at £3,500 excluding VAT, it is the most expensive standard production watch anOrdain currently sells.
10. Model 3 Method Lichen
The second colourway of the Model 3 Method uses the same carved wood dial process but in a muted green that reads closer to moss than the vivid aqua. For collectors who want the same level of craft but in a colour that is slightly more subdued and easier to pair with different straps and outfits, Lichen is the natural alternative. Specs are identical to the Aqua: 39mm case, 10.5mm depth, Sellita SW300, 42-hour power reserve, 50m water resistance, £3,500 excluding VAT.
Every reference on this list shares the same foundation: a handmade dial, a reliable Swiss movement, and a design that does not try to do too much. The differences are real but subtle, which means the right choice usually comes down to how you plan to wear the watch and which colour speaks to you first. If you are still unsure after reading through, the next section breaks down exactly what to weigh up before committing.
How to Pick the Best anOrdain Watch for Your Needs
Buying an anOrdain is not quite like buying most other watches. The process involves choices that most buyers are not used to making, and a waitlist system that requires a level of patience and forward planning that is easy to underestimate. Getting clear on a few things before you sign up will save you from making decisions under time pressure when your build slot eventually arrives.
Which Model Suits You
The three main collections serve genuinely different purposes. The Model 1 is a dress watch at heart. It has a clean, polished case, slim profile, and a dial that feels at home with a suit or a smart casual outfit. The Model 2 is built more like a field watch, with a brushed case, crown guard, and hands tipped with Super-LumiNova, making it better suited to daily wear across a wider range of situations. The Model 3 Method sits at the most experimental end of what anOrdain makes, with a more complex dial and a higher price to match. It is aimed at collectors who specifically want something with a story behind it.
If you are buying your first anOrdain and want something versatile, the Model 2 is the most practical starting point. If the enamel dial is the main draw and you lean toward dressier watches, the Model 1 is the natural choice.
Opaque or Fumé Dial
Within the Model 1 specifically, there is a meaningful difference between the opaque enamel dials and the fumé dials that is worth knowing before you decide. The opaque dials use copper as their base and produce a solid, consistent colour across the full surface. The fumé dials use silver as their base, and the gradient effect comes from the way translucent enamel sits at different thicknesses across a domed blank. The fumé dials respond more dramatically to changes in light and viewing angle, which many people find more captivating but also more difficult to photograph. The opaque dials are more straightforward and in some ways easier to wear, because the colour you see in photos is largely the colour you get on the wrist. Neither is objectively better, but they are different enough that most people have a clear preference once they understand how each is made.
Choosing Your Case Size
The Model 1 is available in three sizes: 35mm, 38mm, and 41mm. The 35mm wears as a genuinely small dress watch and suits slimmer wrists and more formal occasions. The 38mm is the original proportions of the Model 1 and has the longest track record. The 41mm was added later for those who wanted a larger presence on the wrist and gives the dial more room to breathe. The Model 2 comes in 36mm and 39.5mm. Try to have at least a rough sense of what case sizes work on your wrist before committing, because you will not be able to try the watch before it arrives.
Hand-wound or Automatic
Most enamel models give you a choice of movement. The Sellita SW210 is a hand-wound movement with a 42-hour power reserve. It requires you to wind the watch each day, which some people find appealing as a ritual, and it allows for a slightly slimmer case profile. The La Joux-Perret G101 is an automatic with a 68-hour power reserve, meaning it winds itself while on the wrist and keeps running for nearly three days when left unworn. The G101 costs more but suits people who do not want to think about winding. Both are Swiss-made and reliable movements that are straightforward to service.
How the Waitlist Works
For any of the enamel models, anOrdain operates a waitlist system. To join, you pay a non-refundable reservation fee of £350 GBP, which is deducted from the final cost of your watch when your build slot arrives. The waitlist is not tied to a specific model, meaning you choose your exact watch when your slot comes up rather than at sign-up. Slots are currently extending well into 2027 and beyond, so anyone joining the waitlist now should expect to wait several years. anOrdain contacts customers around three months before their slot and gives them one month to confirm their order. The price of the watch at that point will be the current price at time of ordering, not the price when you joined the list. anOrdain caps any annual price increase at 5 percent.
Ways to Buy Without Waiting
There are two ways to get an anOrdain without the enamel waitlist. The first is the Fabrik Model 1, which uses a lacquer dial made by a German manufacturer called Cador rather than an in-house enamel, and is available to buy directly without a waitlist slot. It uses the same case and typography as the enamel Model 1 and is powered by the La Joux-Perret G101. The second is the Model 2 Porcelain, which currently has a six-month lead time and a one-watch-per-customer limit rather than the multi-year enamel waitlist. Both are assembled in-house in Glasgow.
The pre-owned market is the other route. Dealers who specialise in independent watches regularly stock used anOrdain references, and this can be a faster way to get a specific dial colour that appeals to you.
Personalisation Options
When your build slot arrives, anOrdain offers a few ways to personalise the watch beyond the core model and colour choices. They will engrave the caseback with either a text message or a map location. They regulate each movement to suit how and where you wear your watch, including which wrist you use and how you store it at night. A range of strap options is available from a German manufacturer that has been making straps for over 70 years. Beyond these options, the brand does not currently take custom orders for alternative dial colours, numerals, hands, or case designs due to production demand.
None of the decisions made at order time are irreversible in the way they might feel in the moment. anOrdain gives you room to personalise, and their team is responsive if you are stuck between options. The main thing is arriving at your build slot with a clear sense of what you want, rather than figuring it out in the one month you have to confirm your order.
Where to Buy anOrdain Watches
Getting an anOrdain requires more patience than most watch purchases, but the routes available are clear and well suited to different types of buyers. Whether you want to go direct, buy from a retailer, or pick something up on the secondary market, each option comes with its own practical considerations worth knowing before you spend.
Buying Direct From anOrdain
The main way to buy a new anOrdain enamel watch is directly through the brand’s website at anordain.com. This is also the only place to join the waitlist, pay the £350 reservation fee, and secure a build slot. Buying direct means you get the full five-year warranty, the option to personalise the watch with caseback engraving, and movement regulation tailored to how and where you wear it. anOrdain ships internationally, with prices converted live from British Pounds at the time of purchase. Returns are accepted, though the cost of return shipping falls on the customer.
For the Fabrik Model 1 and the Model 2 Porcelain, no waitlist slot is needed. These can be ordered directly from the website with much shorter lead times. The Fabrik is available immediately, while the Model 2 Porcelain currently has a six-month production lead and a limit of one per customer.
Authorised Retailers
anOrdain works with a small number of authorised retailers, meaning physical stores that carry the brand legitimately and are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. If you are based in the UK and prefer to speak with someone in person before committing, or want to see the watches in a boutique setting, checking anOrdain’s website for their current list of authorised stockists is the best starting point. Buying through an authorised retailer gives you the same warranty protection as buying direct.
The Pre-Owned Market
Because anOrdain’s enamel watches take years to receive through the waitlist, the secondary market has become a meaningful route for buyers who do not want to wait. Large international watch marketplaces carry pre-owned anOrdain references regularly, listed by both private sellers and professional dealers. These platforms typically offer buyer protection on transactions, which adds a useful layer of security.
Watch forums and enthusiast communities also see regular anOrdain listings from owners selling privately. This can sometimes offer better pricing than dealer platforms, though usually with less formal buyer protection. If you go this route, it is worth doing your research on the seller’s history within the community before committing.
What to Check Before Buying Used
anOrdain produces relatively small numbers of watches, which keeps the risk of counterfeits low, but there are still things worth checking before buying used. Ask for the original box and papers if possible, as anOrdain ships each watch with documentation. Examine the dial carefully, either in person or through detailed photos, since enamel can crack or chip if a watch has been dropped or mishandled. The caseback on most models is solid and screw-in, so it is worth asking whether it has ever been opened and by whom, as servicing by an unqualified watchmaker can affect the warranty.
anOrdain’s five-year warranty runs from the original date of purchase. If you are buying pre-owned, check how much of that warranty remains and whether the original receipt is available. Warranty claims are honoured for watches bought from anOrdain directly or through authorised retailers, so knowing where a watch originally came from is useful information before you buy.
Are anOrdain Watches a Good Investment?
Most watches lose a meaningful chunk of their value the moment they leave the retailer. anOrdain occupies an unusual position for a brand less than a decade old, in that its watches tend to hold their value better than most things at a similar price, and certain references have appreciated on the secondary market. Whether that makes them a sound financial investment is a different question, and one worth approaching honestly rather than with blind optimism.
How Retail Prices Have Moved
When anOrdain first launched the Model 1 in 2018, the entry price was well under £1,500. As demand grew and the brand built its reputation, prices rose. By the time the fumé dials arrived on the Model 1 in 2020, those references were already priced meaningfully higher than the original opaque models. The brand is transparent about its pricing policy: it reviews prices once a year, caps any increases at 5 percent annually, and has stated that prices have risen on average less than 1.5 percent per year since 2022. That is a measured approach compared to many watch brands that raise prices aggressively each year.
The key thing to understand for anyone on the waitlist is that the price you pay when your build slot arrives will be the current price at that point, not the price from when you signed up. Given that slots now stretch several years into the future, there is some unpredictability involved, though the 5 percent annual cap provides a reasonable ceiling.
Performance on the Resale Market
anOrdain watches do not typically flip at large premiums above retail the way highly speculative models from bigger brands sometimes do. The resale market is steadier than that. Owners rarely seem in a rush to sell, and when pieces do come up used, they generally move quickly. The pre-owned market reflects the fact that these watches are genuinely desirable to a growing audience, not just collectors chasing short-term gains.
Discontinued dial colours and older early-production references tend to attract the most interest among buyers looking at used pieces. The original Model 1 colourways that are no longer available new, and early Model 2 fumé dials from the first production runs, are the kind of references that come up less frequently and tend to command slightly firmer prices when they do. Early serial numbers from the first 300 Model 1 pieces that launched in 2018 also carry historical significance for collectors who follow the brand closely.
What Works in anOrdain’s Favour
Several things about how anOrdain operates work in favour of long-term value retention. Production is deliberately limited to a few hundred watches per year across all models, not by artificial scarcity tactics but by genuine capacity constraints. Each dial is made by hand and each enameller can only produce a small number per month. That constraint is structural, not marketing.
The brand has also built a credible reputation in a relatively short time, appearing in major watch publications and attracting serious collectors alongside more casual buyers. The waitlist itself signals that demand consistently outpaces supply, which is one of the more reliable indicators of a brand with staying power.
The craft at the centre of what anOrdain does, grand feu enamel, is rare and difficult to replicate at any price. That gives the watches a genuinely defensible position that is harder for competitors to simply copy overnight.
Where the Limitations Are
It would be misleading to frame anOrdain as a straightforward financial investment in the way some watch enthusiasts talk about certain Swiss brands. The movements inside are well-chosen Swiss-made calibres, but they are not in-house movements, and they do not add the kind of mechanical prestige that drives the highest auction results. The cases are clean and well-made but not remarkable on their own. The value is in the dial, and dial-driven value can be harder to sustain over very long time horizons than heritage or movement-driven value.
anOrdain is also still a relatively young brand. It has built an impressive following in its first decade, but ten years is a short track record compared to the houses that have proven resale value across generations of collectors.
The Realistic Way to Think About It
The most honest way to frame an anOrdain purchase is that you are buying something with a genuine handmade quality that is hard to find at the price, and that holds its value better than most watches at a similar cost. People who have bought anOrdain watches tend to keep them, which is perhaps the most meaningful signal of all. If the watch appreciates over time, that is a reasonable bonus. If it does not, you still have something made by hand in a small workshop in Glasgow that very few other people own, using a technique that has been practised for centuries and that most of the watch industry gave up on long ago.
The most sensible way to frame an anOrdain purchase is not as a financial bet but as a decision to buy something made by hand using a centuries-old craft, at a price that reflects genuine skill rather than brand prestige. If it holds its value or appreciates over time, that is a reasonable bonus. If it does not, you still own something that most people will never have the patience to wait for, made by a small team in Scotland who care deeply about how it turns out.
anOrdain Watch Care and Maintenance
An anOrdain does not demand complicated upkeep, but there are a few things specific to how these watches are built that are worth knowing before you start wearing one daily. Most of it comes down to three things: the enamel dial, the leather strap, and the movement inside, each of which responds differently to how you treat it.
Looking After the Enamel Dial
The most important thing to know about vitreous enamel is that once it is inside a watch case, it is actually quite durable. anOrdain themselves describe it as an extremely hard-wearing material in its final fired state, one with a colour that does not fade over time. The concern is not scratching or fading but impact. Enamel is glass fused to metal, and while the sapphire crystal protects it from above, a hard knock to the dial at the wrong angle can cause a chip or crack. This is not something most owners will ever experience with normal wear, but it is why taking care not to knock the watch face-first against hard surfaces matters more than it would with a printed or lacquered dial.
Avoid exposing the watch to extreme temperature changes. Rapid shifts between very hot and very cold environments can stress any material, and enamel is no exception. This means keeping the watch away from things like direct contact with steam or prolonged time in intense direct sunlight on a very cold day. Normal daily variation is not a concern at all.
Water Resistance
All current anOrdain models are rated to 50 metres, or 5ATM. This is enough for everyday situations including rain, hand washing, and accidental splashes, but it is not a dive rating and the watches are not designed to be submerged. Avoid wearing them in the shower, swimming, or in any water deeper than the surface. Over time, water resistance can degrade as gaskets age, and this is something a watchmaker can check and re-seal during a service.
Cleaning the Watch
For the case and crystal, a soft cloth is all that is needed for everyday cleaning. If the case has picked up more stubborn marks, a slightly damp cloth works well, followed by drying with a soft dry cloth. Avoid any chemical cleaners, solvents, or abrasive materials near the dial face. If the crystal has accumulated dust or smudges on the inside, that is a sign the watch needs to go in for a service rather than something to address at home.
Leather Strap Care
anOrdain provides detailed leather care guidance on their website, which is worth reading for the specific leather type your strap is made from, as different leathers respond differently to treatment. The general principles apply across all leather straps. Wipe the strap down regularly with a soft dry cloth to remove sweat and skin oils, which are the primary cause of leather degradation over time. If the strap gets wet, pat it dry gently and let it air dry naturally away from direct heat or sunlight.
Avoid contact with perfumes, sanitisers, and sunscreen, all of which can stain and dry out leather quickly. Conditioning the strap periodically with a suitable leather balsam keeps it supple and extends its life. anOrdain’s own leather care page recommends specific products and notes that some balsams may darken lighter leathers over time, so it is worth testing on an inconspicuous area first.
The leather straps use quick-release spring bars, which means you can swap them out at home without tools. This makes it easy to rotate straps, which is the single most effective way to extend the life of any leather strap, since it gives each one time to dry and recover between wears.
The Movement
Both movements available in anOrdain watches, the Sellita SW210 and the La Joux-Perret G101, are Swiss-made calibres chosen in part because they are widely understood and straightforward to service by competent watchmakers around the world. This is a practical advantage over brands with obscure or proprietary movements.
For the hand-wound Sellita SW210, wind the watch gently through the crown each morning. Stop winding when you feel resistance rather than forcing it further. The movement has a 42-hour power reserve, so it will keep running overnight if you wear it regularly during the day. For the automatic La Joux-Perret G101, simply wearing the watch provides enough motion to keep it wound for most people. If left unworn for more than a couple of days, it can be wound manually through the crown before putting it back on.
Servicing
In terms of servicing intervals, the general guidance for Sellita and ETA-derived movements is every five to seven years under normal use, though many owners go longer without issue. The watch lubricants used inside mechanical movements degrade over time regardless of how often the watch is worn, so a service every five years or so is a reasonable target to keep the movement running cleanly. anOrdain recommends having the watch serviced by them where possible, since they know the watches and how to handle the enamel dial during the disassembly and reassembly process. Servicing elsewhere is permitted and the movements are well-supported by independent watchmakers globally, but if the dial shows any signs of damage from improper handling, this can affect the warranty.
Storage
When not wearing the watch, store it in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight and strong magnetic fields. Extreme heat can accelerate lubricant degradation inside the movement. If you plan to store the watch for an extended period, wind the mainspring down first and leave the crown in the normal position rather than in the winding position. A watch box or watch roll keeps the case protected from scratches during storage.
None of this requires specialist knowledge or expensive equipment. A soft cloth, a sensible approach to water, and a service every few years will keep an anOrdain running and looking exactly as it should for decades. The enamel dial, if protected from hard impacts, will outlast almost everything else about the watch.
Common Questions About anOrdain Watches Answered
Buying an anOrdain raises a lot of questions, especially for first-time buyers who are unfamiliar with enamel dials, the waitlist system, and what to expect from a small independent brand. Here are the most common questions answered directly so you can avoid first-time mistakes.
- Is the enamel dial durable enough for daily wear? Yes. Once fired and protected inside the case, the colour never fades and the surface is hard-wearing. The main risk is a hard impact directly to the dial face, which can cause the glass to chip. Treat it with the same general care you would any dress watch and it will last indefinitely.
- Why does the dial look different in every photo? Because it genuinely is different in every light. The glassy enamel surface reflects its surroundings, so the colour shifts with the angle and lighting conditions. This is especially noticeable on fumé dials. It is considered one of the most appealing things about enamel, but it does make buying from photos alone feel like a risk. anOrdain choose not to coat the enamel to reduce glare, as doing so would dull the natural lustre of the dial.
- How long is the current waitlist? Build slots for enamel models currently extend into 2027 and beyond for new signups. The Fabrik Model 1 is available immediately without a waitlist. The Model 2 Porcelain has a six-month lead time.
- Can I choose any model when my build slot arrives? Yes. The waitlist is not tied to a specific model. Around three months before your slot, anOrdain contacts you to confirm your chosen model, dial colour, size, movement, strap, and personalisation from whatever is available in the catalogue at that point.
- Can anOrdain make a custom dial colour or different case design? No. Custom orders for alternative colours, numerals, hands, or case designs are not accepted due to current production demand. You can personalise the caseback engraving, movement choice, and strap.
- Does anOrdain ship internationally? Yes, worldwide. Prices are set in British Pounds and converted live at the time of purchase. Buyers outside the UK may be subject to import duties and taxes depending on their country.
- Can I visit the workshop in Glasgow? Yes, by appointment. The workshop is located in the old Templeton Carpet Factory in Glasgow’s East End and is open Monday to Friday. Contact anOrdain through their website to arrange a visit. They also attend occasional trade shows, which they announce through their mailing list.
- What is the warranty? Five years from the date of purchase, covering defects in materials and workmanship. Normal wear and tear is excluded. Servicing by an unqualified watchmaker can affect the warranty, so keep a record of any service history.
- Are some dial colours discontinued? Yes, occasionally. Certain colours are retired when the specific enamel becomes difficult to source, or when a particular colour produces a failure rate too high to offer reliably. Discontinued references tend to attract more attention on the secondary market for that reason.
- Do I need to wind the watch every day? Only if you have the hand-wound Sellita SW210. That movement has a 42-hour power reserve, so winding it each morning keeps it running. If you have the automatic La Joux-Perret G101, normal daily wear keeps it wound. Either movement can also be wound manually through the crown.
- How does regulation work and why does it matter? Before shipping, anOrdain asks which wrist you wear the watch on and how you store it overnight. They use that information to adjust the movement for optimum accuracy based on how it will actually be used, since mechanical movements perform differently in different positions. It is a small but thoughtful detail.
If your question is not covered above, anOrdain runs a detailed FAQ page on their website and their team responds to direct enquiries through the contact page. For anything waitlist-related, they can also provide an estimated build slot timeframe when you reach out.
Conclusion
anOrdain has done something genuinely rare in the watch industry. Starting from a small team in Glasgow with no established infrastructure and a craft that most of the world had quietly abandoned, they built a brand that is now mentioned in the same conversations as houses with centuries of history behind them. The enamel dial is at the centre of everything they make, but what keeps people waiting years for one of these watches is not just the craft itself. It is that the watches feel considered from every angle, from the bespoke typography drawn from Highland cartography to the way each movement is regulated for the specific person who ordered it.
For anyone trying to decide which reference to choose, the honest answer is that the best anOrdain is the one that fits how you actually live. If you want a dress watch that rewards close attention, the Model 1 in any opaque or fumé colour will deliver that. If you want something that works daily across more situations, the Model 2 is the natural starting point. If you are a collector who wants the most technically ambitious thing the brand has produced, the Model 3 Method is the one to pursue. And if the waitlist feels like too long a commitment, the Fabrik or the Porcelain both offer a way in without years of waiting.
The waitlist is long, the production is slow, and the prices have moved upward from where they started. None of that has slowed demand. If anything, it reflects exactly what anOrdain is: a brand that refuses to cut corners on the one thing that matters most, and a growing audience of collectors who recognise that.
