Michael Satterfield
by Michael Satterfield – Photos by Lucas Kepner – 01/17/2023
Most casual watch enthusiasts likely not know of the rich legacy of Italian watchmaking which dates back to the early 19th century, their neighbors to the north tend to get all of the attention, but Locman needs to be on your radar. The brand was founded in 1986 on the Italian island of Elba, by Marco Mantovani to produce private-label watches, but in 1996 Marco and his partners decided to produce watches under the Locman name.
Locman would secure contracts to produce watches for the Italian Navy and Air Force and went on to release special editions with Fiat and since 2017, Ducati. The Locman Ducati Ref: D121A01S-00BKWRPKR is the watch we are reviewing today. The Ducati collaboration has given birth to three distinctive series of watches.
Despite their diverse mechanics and aesthetics, the watches in the Locman Ducati collection encapsulate the design, performance, and technological advancements synonymous with the renowned motorcycle brand. With three models in the collection, including an automatic, a quartz chronograph, and a Swiss-made automatic chronograph.
We are reviewing the Ref: D121A01S-00BKWRPKR which is the quartz chronograph, powered by a reliable Miyota movement, the watch is priced at $725 making it a very good alternative to a Tag Heuer Formula 1 which starts at over $1,000 more. One thing that we always look for with smaller watch brands is finish, and Locman’s attention to detail is on par with some of the finest watches we have ever reviewed, even at a sub $1,000 price point. Lucas our photographer was shocked at how clean and dust-free the dial images were, as often we find that smaller brands’ processes trap a lot of microscopic dust between the dial and crystal.
The case finishing is equally impressive as is the craftsmanship of the leather band. The watch is comfortable to wear and the Ducati branding is integrated well into the dial and crown. Even if you are not a motorcycle enthusiast the Locman Ducati is a handsome watch. Locman also has a fairly extensive network of dealers in the US, including here in Texas with retailers like William Sheahan Designs stocking the Locman brand.
Specifications:
