Today, I’m excited to share my review of the Belvans Heritage watch—a piece from a French brand you may have already seen online. Known for its active presence on social media, Belvans has managed to draw attention with a unique blend of sportiness and sophistication, perfect for those who want a watch that stands out without being too flashy.
In this review, I’ll break down every aspect of the Belvans Heritage, from its design to its movement, to help you decide if it meets your expectations. Let’s dive in!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Hypnotic Musou Black Dial: The dial is painted with Musou Black paint, which absorbs 99.9% of light, creating a truly captivating effect.
- Unique Design: Although inspired by high-end sports watches like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the Belvans Heritage has enough individuality to stand out.
- Substantial Leather Strap: The thick leather strap is not only pleasant to the touch, but it also complements the watch’s design with its robust construction.
- Custom Rotor: The movement’s rotor is nicely finished, adding a touch of elegance to an otherwise standard movement.
- French Assembly: Assembled in France, with quality control performed by a watchmaker.
- 60-Hour Power Reserve: A solid 60-hour power reserve, adding reliability to the watch.
Cons:
- Noisy Unidirectional Rotor: The rotor can be a bit noisy at times, though it doesn’t really spoil the experience.
- Tight Buckle: The buckle can feel a little tight, especially after removing the watch, which can cause wear on the sides of the strap.
- “Ghost Date” Function: Some people may find the “ghost date” function (a calendar with no visible date) a bit annoying, though it doesn’t bother me personally.
The Brand
Belvans came onto my radar thanks to an ad that piqued my curiosity. Since then, I’ve learned the brand focuses on understated luxury and aims to offer something truly unique. Their Heritage collection, in particular, stands out for its commitment to design.
From what I’ve seen in interviews with the owner, Belvans doesn’t claim to offer a super high-end watch at a reduced price. Instead, they present a uniquely designed watch, assembled in France, with many parts sourced from other countries, which is common at this price point.
Design
As always, design is an aspect I focus on a lot. The Belvans Heritage is clearly inspired by a fairly well-known high-end sports watch, with its integrated bracelet design and angular case. But despite that inspiration, the watch manages to carve out its own identity.
What makes this watch unique?
- Slim Profile: The Belvans Heritage is much thinner than its high-end counterparts, making it more elegant.
- Distinctive Bezel Design: The bezel is machined to create a deep track with sharp angles, setting it apart from flat, polished bezels.
- Roman Numerals and No Lume: The absence of a crown guard and the choice of Roman numerals (without luminescence) give this watch a more formal and elegant style.
- Eiffel Tower–Shaped Seconds Hand: The seconds hand features a subtle Eiffel Tower–shaped counterweight, a nice nod to the brand’s French roots.
- Hypnotic Musou Black Dial: The Musou Black dial is a real eye-catcher. It absorbs nearly all light, creating an abyss-like effect, and adds a touch of luxury to the watch.
Design Wishes:
While I appreciate the overall design a lot, here are a few points I’d improve:
Design Takeaway:
Although its inspiration is obvious to an enthusiast, Belvans has created something that feels more refined and elegant. The watch remains sporty, but the clean design, combined with the 38 mm size, makes it a versatile piece that can easily move from casual to more formal styles.
Quality
Case and Crown
The finishing on the case and crown is solid, especially for the price. The bezel and the top of the case are carefully finished, while the sides are a bit less refined, though this isn’t a major issue. The engraved line on the bezel is a nice detail, but it tends to collect dust easily.
The crown itself is easy to grip, with a deeply engraved logo. It’s sturdy and functional enough, making time-setting pleasant.
Dial and Hands
The Musou Black dial is a standout element, creating a beautiful contrast with the polished applied indices, which appear to float in a dark abyss. The hands are also well executed, with a slight rounding that catches the light nicely.
The Belvans branding on the dial is subtle, though I would have liked it to be a bit thicker to stand out more against the black background. That said, the understated approach works well here.
Strap & Buckle
The leather strap is thick, substantial, and comfortable. The alligator texture gives it a touch of luxury and it doesn’t take long to break in. However, the buckle could be slightly wider to prevent it from rubbing against the sides of the strap. An optional deployant clasp would be a nice addition to the collection, allowing buyers to upgrade the watch’s comfort and functionality.
The Belvans Heritage is equipped with the Miyota 8315 movement, a reliable calibre with a 60-hour power reserve. While it isn’t a high-end movement, it does its job well, and the rose-gold custom rotor is a nice touch. The movement is neatly finished with Geneva stripes and blued screws, which adds a bit of flair.
The Miyota 8315 replaces the 821A. It’s a hacking-capable, decorated version of the Miyota 8215, now improved with a new mainspring. The power reserve is now at least 60 hours, and the movement is offered in silver and gold versions.
“Ghost Date” Function:
The Miyota 8315 features a ghost date function, which may bother some people. It’s a minor detail but worth mentioning. The watch would probably be thinner without the date wheel.
On-Wrist Comfort
With a diameter of 38 mm and a thickness of only 11 mm, the Belvans Heritage wears comfortably on my 17 cm (6.7 in) wrist.
Its angular design gives it a slightly larger presence, but the 38 mm size is perfect for smaller wrists. The strap is comfortable and gives a quality feel on the wrist, and the partially titanium case also helps with on-wrist comfort.
Price
At €700 (about $821), the Belvans Heritage is reasonably priced given the quality of the materials, the custom elements, and the attention to detail. For a uniquely designed watch with a solid movement and a luxurious feel, it offers good value for money.
Conclusion
Belvans has found a perfect balance between sporty and elegant with the Heritage collection. They drew inspiration from high-end sports watches, but created something that truly feels one of a kind. The hypnotic Musou Black dial, along with the well-made leather strap, makes this watch feel more expensive than it really is.
If you’re looking for a watch that combines sportiness and elegance, the Belvans Heritage definitely deserves your attention. While it doesn’t revolutionize movements, the overall design and quality make it an excellent choice at this price.
