The Hourstriker Verdict
Beda'a just released a fresh set of four new Angles watches with natural stone dials. The new dials include Blue Aventurine, African Hawkeye, Malachite and Tiger Eye. The cases are still a very compact 37 mm in an octagonal shape. The Angles are still also powered by a reliable Swiss Ronda quartz movement as well. Of all the dials, I tend to gravitate towards the Malachite dial.
— Peter, Editor-in-Chief
Hard stone dials have experienced a marked resurgence across the horological landscape over the past five years. Historically reserved for high-end precious metal references during the 1970s, materials like malachite and lapis lazuli are now appearing in contemporary steel sports and dress watch formats. The manufacturer Beda'a has integrated this material approach into their established Angles 37 model architecture. The resulting Angles Stone Collection introduces four distinct mineral variations to the catalog while retaining the core geometric case design. Operating as an independent entity evolved from the Albidaa group, the manufacturer positions this release as a permanent, albeit production-limited, extension of their primary line. The integration of organic materials with rigid, angular case machining presents specific manufacturing challenges regarding tolerances and final assembly. Producing these references requires strict adherence to dimensional limits to prevent component failure.
Creating a timepiece that relies heavily on the dial material requires a deliberate reduction in other visual elements. Traditional indices, heavy chapter rings, and complex handset designs often obscure the natural grain of mineral dials. By utilizing a two-hand layout devoid of any hour markers, the manufacturer prioritizes the unobstructed display of the polished stone surface. Text application is minimized to a simple brand logo printed below the twelve o'clock position and standard origin text at the six o'clock mark. The 37mm diameter positions the watch firmly in the mid-size category, catering to collectors who prefer traditional proportions rather than oversized contemporary dimensions. The absence of a seconds hand further streamlines the aesthetic and alters the user interaction by removing the visual indicator of the underlying regulation mechanism. The overall execution relies entirely on the case geometry and the mineral grain for visual structure.
Courtesy of Beda'a
The Case and Dial Architecture
The exterior housing of the Angles Stone Collection is constructed from 316L stainless steel, utilizing an octagonal format characterized by a tiered, stepped bezel. The primary flat surfaces of the bezel exhibit a heavy, uniform vertical brushing pattern that extends smoothly across the integrated lug sections. Contrasting this matte finish, the angled chamfers connecting the bezel tiers are highly polished to achieve a mirror reflection. This alternating finishing technique emphasizes the sharp transitions between the octagonal facets and provides strong light demarcation across the entire case perimeter. The lugs themselves articulate downward at a steep angle, significantly reducing the effective lug-to-lug distance and ensuring the flat case back sits flush against the wrist. An octagonal crown sits at the three o'clock position, mirroring the primary bezel geometry and featuring a deeply engraved logo on its polished lateral surface.
Dimensionally, the case measures 37mm in length and 37mm in width, though the square-like footprint causes it to occupy more wrist real estate than a traditional round case of identical diameter. The total thickness is strictly controlled to a highly slender 5.6mm profile, maintaining a low center of gravity. Achieving this dimension requires both an ultra-thin movement caliber and precise tolerances regarding the hand stack clearance above the dial surface. The transparent crystal is manufactured from synthetic sapphire, set entirely flat and flush against the uppermost tier of the steel bezel. Water resistance is rated at a standard 3 ATM, which is sufficient for incidental moisture exposure but strictly prohibits submersion or sustained aquatic activities. The solid stainless steel case back is secured via screws, rather than a threaded exhibition back, which actively aids in maintaining the minimal case depth.
The integration of the strap into the case architecture relies on a specialized lug design that drops vertically from the horizontal plane of the bezel. Unlike traditional elongated lugs that extend outward to accommodate standard spring bars, this configuration utilizes short, faceted downward extensions that tuck the strap ends closely against the case flanks. This engineering approach eliminates the visible gap between the case edge and the leather strap, simulating the cohesive look of an integrated bracelet while maintaining the flexibility of a standard strap replacement. The interior surfaces of these lugs are machined with precise vertical tolerances to ensure the leather sits securely without unwanted lateral play. The octagonal crown, while utilized infrequently due to the quartz regulation, is designed with deep, flat channels to provide adequate grip for time setting, turning with a smooth, continuous friction curve unencumbered by the tension of a mainspring.
The fabrication of hard stone dials is a notoriously difficult process within watchmaking due to the brittle nature of the raw materials. Raw mineral blocks must be sliced into discs measuring a fraction of a millimeter in thickness using specialized diamond-coated cutting tools. Because natural stone lacks the tensile strength of a traditional brass dial blank, these ultra-thin mineral slices are typically bonded to a secondary metal base layer for critical structural reinforcement. This lamination process prevents the dial from cracking under the downward pressure exerted when the hands are forcefully pressed onto the central pinion during final assembly. Furthermore, drilling the central hole for the hand stack requires extremely low speeds and precise liquid lubrication to prevent micro-fractures from propagating through the crystalline structure of the stone. Tolerances during the casing process are incredibly tight, as any lateral pressure from the inner bezel flange can shatter the fragile mineral disc.
Four distinct mineral options dictate the visual identity of the respective models within this specific release. The Blue Aventurine variant utilizes a matrix filled with reflective mineral inclusions, catching ambient light to create a dispersed, highly reflective particulate effect across the dark blue substrate. The Malachite option features the characteristic concentric green banding created by the precipitation of copper carbonate, requiring careful selection by the dial maker to align the grain horizontally across the octagon. The African Hawkeye dial presents a blue-grey chatoyancy, where the fibrous quartz structure creates a moving band of light that shifts depending on the viewing angle. Finally, the Tiger Eye variant offers a similar chatoyant optical effect but rendered in warm golden-brown and amber tones, displaying distinct horizontal stratification across the dial surface. The time is indicated by a pair of faceted, polished hands that taper to a sharp point, providing necessary contrast against the dark mineral backgrounds without obstructing the stone.
Courtesy of Beda'a
The Caliber and Internal Mechanics
Powering the internal mechanics of the collection is the Swiss-manufactured Ronda caliber 1062.1 Slimtech movement. This is a highly compact, battery-powered quartz mechanism explicitly designed for two-hand applications in ultra-thin dress watches. The caliber measures 15.30mm in total diameter and an exceptionally thin 1.90mm in height, which acts as the primary enabling factor for the watch's overall 5.6mm case thickness. The movement utilizes four synthetic ruby jewels to reduce friction within the gear train, a specification typical of higher-grade, fully repairable quartz calibers rather than sealed, disposable resin units. Power is supplied by a standard 321 silver oxide battery cell. Given the lack of a running seconds hand or date compilation to draw auxiliary power, this cell provides a theoretical operational lifespan of approximately six years between required replacements.
The selection of a quartz movement in this specific horological context serves several functional and aesthetic purposes beyond simple manufacturing cost reduction. Primarily, the extreme thinness of the Ronda caliber prevents the need for a deep case back or a raised domed crystal, successfully maintaining the sharp, flat architectural profile of the octagonal design. Mechanically, the two-hand layout completely masks the primary visual tell of a quartz movement, which is the one-second deadbeat jump of a central seconds hand. By restricting the display to only hours and minutes, the continuous, imperceptibly slow sweep of the minute hand mimics the visual experience of a mechanical watch from the wearer's perspective. The accuracy of the quartz regulation operates at standard parameters of minus ten to plus twenty seconds per month. This provides highly reliable daily timekeeping that requires no interaction from the user after the initial manual synchronization of the hands.
Courtesy of Beda'a
The Strap Implementation
Each watch is secured to the wrist via a two-piece leather strap constructed from grained calfskin. This specific leather variant is characterized by its prominent natural texture and high resistance to surface scratches and daily abrasions. The straps are intentionally color-matched to complement their respective mineral dials, featuring deep navy blue for the Aventurine, a rich brown for the Tiger Eye, dark green for the Malachite, and a subdued taupe for the African Hawkeye.
The perimeter of the calfskin features tonal perimeter stitching, executed closely to the edges to maintain a refined profile suitable for a dress watch application. The strap tapers significantly from the integrated lug junction down to the terminal ends, actively reducing the visual bulk on the underside of the wrist. Closure is handled by a standard pin buckle, machined from matching 316L stainless steel and finished to replicate the brushed and polished surfaces of the primary watch case.
Courtesy of Beda'a
Pricing and Availability Specifications
The retail pricing structure positions the collection aggressively within the entry-level enthusiast market. The official cost is set at 700 CHF across all four dial variants without any premium applied to specific stones. It provides an accessible entry point for collectors specifically seeking the integration of authentic hard stone dials. The brand avoids the use of stamped brass or lacquered imitations, ensuring material authenticity at a highly competitive price tier.
While designated as a permanent addition to the brand's catalog, production output is strictly limited by the availability and processing constraints of the natural mineral materials. The inherent variation in the stone cutting process dictates that absolute uniformity across production batches is physically impossible. Consequently, this manufacturing reality results in entirely unique dial patterns and distinct mineral striations for every individual reference produced by the factory.
Courtesy of Beda'a
Technical Specifications
Case: 37mm width x 37mm length x 5.6mm thickness, 316L stainless steel, stepped octagonal design, polished and brushed finishes, sapphire crystal, 3 ATM water resistance.
Movement: Ronda 1062.1 Slimtech, Swiss quartz, 4 jewels, two-hand display, 1.90mm height.
Dial: Natural hard stone (Blue Aventurine, Malachite, African Hawkeye, Tiger Eye), faceted and polished sword-style hands, devoid of indices.
Strap: Grained calfskin leather with tonal stitching, color-matched to dial, 316L stainless steel pin buckle.
Price: 700 CHF
Reference Number: BQA0524-37
Notes: Permanent collection with limited production output due to the natural variance and manufacturing constraints of the mineral dial materials.