Dennison’s latest collaboration with Collectability founder John Reardon feels aimed at a very specific kind of watch enthusiast: the collector who appreciates the eccentric elegance of mid-century design but has little interest in paying vintage Patek Philippe prices to experience it. The new Oblique collection builds on the revived British brand’s compact ALD platform while introducing asymmetrical geometry that channels the experimental spirit of designers like Gilbert Albert without becoming a direct homage.
The foundation remains familiar. Dennison retains the slim ALD case proportions at 35 mm by 33.6 mm, with a thickness of just 6.05 mm. In an era where many brands continue inflating dimensions unnecessarily, the Oblique models stand out simply by respecting restraint. The softly rounded rectangular profile already carried a distinctly vintage sensibility, but the new off-kilter bezel transforms the silhouette into something far more expressive.
Two dial executions are available. The Oblique Enigma places a geometric metal overlay atop a blue-green sunburst surface, creating shifting reflections that emphasize the watch’s unusual lines. The Oblique Vector takes a more restrained route with a sector-inspired dial featuring radial brushing and subtle tonal contrast. Stainless steel models receive silver detailing, while the gold PVD variant leans warmer with gilt accents and a brown embossed calfskin strap.
The design succeeds largely because it avoids trying too hard to appear “avant-garde.” Many asymmetrical watches end up feeling self-conscious or conceptually overworked. The Oblique collection remains playful, but its proportions keep it grounded. Even the typography and marker placement feel carefully calibrated to support the geometry rather than compete with it.
Inside sits a Swiss-made Ronda 1062 quartz movement with a six-year battery life. Some collectors may instinctively dismiss quartz at this price point, but the decision arguably makes sense here. The Oblique is less about mechanical spectacle and more about shape, wearability, and graphic design. A slim quartz caliber allows the case to preserve its elegant proportions without compromise.
Priced at $790 and available through a limited one-week preorder window, the Oblique collection occupies an increasingly rare space in modern watchmaking: genuinely design-forward watches that remain financially approachable. The collaboration also reinforces Dennison’s growing identity as a brand willing to revisit overlooked corners of vintage watch design rather than endlessly recycling familiar sports-watch tropes.
At a time when much of the industry feels trapped between oversized tool watches and safe nostalgia, the Oblique collection offers something more interesting—a reminder that unconventional geometry can still feel refined when executed with discipline.
