The Bear is Back: Hands-On with the SevenFriday's T2/08 'Riley II'

With the T2/08 'Riley II,' SevenFriday introduces the second watch that puts its mascot front and center. Like Ralph Lauren's bear sweaters and watches, it adds a fuzzy and fun element to an otherwise very high-end product, creating a sense of casual luxury. That is something SevenFriday has always excelled in, and uniquely enough, the success enjoyed hasn't changed the spirit of the brand. With a price tag of $1,150, the Riley II remains modestly priced, a hallmark of SevenFriday, yet offers a lot of fun.

In the center of the dial, we see Riley playing his guitar in the forest. SevenFriday describes this as their attempt to put your mind in a state of happiness. They for sure succeed in that, because when you look at this watch, you cannot help but smile. What helps in this is that Riley is not printed on a dial, but has a four-layer construction, with different items printed on each layer. This results in a three-dimensional effect, while simultaneously giving the watch a high-end appearance. While the dial is busy, legibility is ensured by the bold hands in typical SevenFriday style, and the outer ring marking the hours. 

In terms of colors, SevenFriday has a clever approach, combining petrol blue lacquer with a bronze gold PVD treatment on the stainless steel parts. This complements Riley's image very well, while also making the watch wearable. It gives it an adult touch, so that despite its fun theme, you won't be accused of wearing your child's watch. Also, this color theme makes it quite easy to integrate SevenFriday into your wardrobe. 

One other reason why they probably don't think that you are wearing your child's watch is the size of the Riley II. In true SevenFriday fashion, the cushion-shaped case measures 45 x 45.6mm, with the strap attachment integrated underneath. It sounds huge, but the lack of lugs and the square shape make it very wearable, even on a smaller wrist. The Riley II also has a nice weight to it, but not so much that it becomes bothersome. What I also greatly appreciated was how SevenFriday ensured that all the edges on this watch are well-rounded. That looks great and feels great.

The caseback doesn't give us a clue that inside ticks Seiko's automatic caliber NH70, apparently in a skeletonized version. For that, we need to take SevenFriday's word, as the caseback is closed and fitted with an NFC chip and a fun image of Riley. The NFC chip was introduced by SevenFriday to battle fakes and allows you to authenticate the watch and extend your warranty by an additional year. The Seiko movement is rugged and reliable, and when needed, easy to service without breaking the bank. The only downside is that the power reserve is a mere 41 hours. While this wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me personally, in this day and age, 48 hours should be manageable. 

SevenFriday fits the Riley II on a silicone strap, with an oversized buckle with the same bronze gold PVD treatment. Due to its size, the buckle is a joy to use, and thanks to its softness, it significantly enhances the already great wearing comfort. Given the high-end execution of the Riley II, I sure hope that this is not the last we will see of SevenFriday's bear, as it has become a unique offering in the world of watches that is as affordable as it is fun.

For more info, visit SevenFriday, here.