Before I touch on the finer points of this week’s review showpiece, I’m going to preface it with this bit of trivia: Aries Gold is Singapore’s sole surviving watch manufacturer with its own workshop and design hub. Of course, long-time followers would already know this, as the brand possesses a proud multi-decade heritage of being in the local timekeeping and watchmaking industries. Now, however, the brand is becoming well known for their innovative products, especially limited edition collaboration timepieces. Case in point? The 2016 Aries Gold x Foo Fighters Hero timepiece sold out its 500-piece run in only 2 months.

 

This time round, Aries Gold is back and “badder” than ever with the 2017’s limited edition timepiece created in tandem with rock legends Aerosmith. The first impression you’d get is one of a devil-may-care attitude, starting with the genuine leather passport holder (worth US$99) that bears a “Passport to Rock” message: nothing subtle about it as one might expect of a totally rocking automatic movement timepiece. Then again, its campaign #badisgood already bears testament to that, coupled with a video shot in partnership with renowned graffiti artist Slac.

Look closer and you’ll see the Aerosmith wings logo screaming for attention as part of the dial design, complemented by black accents and Super Luminova illumination for even more impact in low-light conditions. The leather strap is obviously made to highly rigorous standards, rounded off with a quick release spring bar. Internally, the Japanese movement is clearly seen – proof of the timepiece’s calibre.