Watch Reviews: Paulin NeoB

Ever since I got into watches, I’ve always been what you’d call a “dial guy.” For me, the dial is everything. I’m drawn to beautifully designed, distinctive dials, ones with character and the kind you don’t see on everyone else’s wrist every day.

Some time ago I was on the hunt for a special enamel dial but couldn’t find the right one at a price I could afford. While browsing, I discovered the brand Anordain(they were not so well known at the time, not like now). Their watches were extremely limited, only a few made each year and their prices were on the higher side(well it’s relative, but for me they were expensive).

As I had read more about Anordain, I stumbled upon a smaller brand called Paulin Watches. When I first saw their pieces I didn’t know the connection between the two companies and in 2023 they kind of merged into one. Anyway that is for another day.

When I checked out their collection, my eye was immediately caught by the NeoB model with its stunning orange dial. I loved it, but unfortunately, they were almost always sold out.

Fast forward a year we, I mean my wife and I were going through our fourth IVF treatment. It’s hard to believe, but on the very day we took the pregnancy test after 2 weeks from when the embryo was implanted and got a positive result, the watch became available. It felt like fate, so I didn’t hesitate(well okay, maybe I did a little bit) and pulled the trigger to buy it. This is the story of this purchase, like no other one. This makes it one of my most valued possession. Yes, I am sentimental like that. I love connecting memories and feelings to my watches. After all that makes this hobby amazing.

Let’s start with some photos of the watch, see below:

The Neo B, a bit of sunshine on the wrist

The most captivating feature of the watch is the dial itself and the printed numerals on it. The dial is crafted by Helen Swan using a unique process involving anodized aluminum, which is later hand-colored. Essentially, the aluminum is soaked in sulfuric acid using a special tool, then manually dyed, resulting in that vivid and distinctive color. (In theory, there can be slight variations between individual models due to the handmade nature of the process.)

Another interesting aspect of the watch is the numerals themselves. They represent the so-called Wim style, inspired by the work of Dutch graphic designer Wim Crouwel, featuring completely unique digits. It’s a modern, clean interpretation of hour markers on the dial. These numbers are hand-printed at the anOrdain workshop. (A fun fact: anOrdain was founded by the husband of one of the Paulin sisters.)

It’s also worth mentioning that my piece is one of the earlier versions of the model. Since then, the NeoB line has gone through a few subtle changes. One clear example is the dial layout: the currently available version features blue numerals, whereas my model still has the original black ones. It’s a small detail, but one that gives this earlier version a slightly different character and makes it feel a bit more special to me.

All right, let’s continue. I’d like to mention the watch hands, which are quite distinctive as well. The seconds hand is white, while the hour and minute hands are black. The hour and minute hands are skeletonized, so they don’t obscure the date wheel underneath.

Another interesting addition to the watch is the day wheel, which is black instead of the usual white and that really suits the watch and adds another layer of uniqueness to the whole design. Unfortunately, it’s a bit smaller than usual, so reading it might be challenging for those with less sharp eyesight. To be honest, in my opinion without a date window, the dial would look even better.

If you’ve read a few of my other reviews, you already know this about me: I’m a sucker for a clean, uninterrupted dial. No date window, no cut-outs—just the watch doing its thing. I honestly don’t miss the date at all. Most days we know it anyway, and I’d much rather enjoy the dial in its purest form. I must note though, this is my personal opinion. Probably most watch lovers prefer more complications in their watches.

Let’s get back to it after this little rant of mine. So another standout detail is the domed Hesalite crystal. One of its biggest advantages is how easy it is to polish, meaning small scratches are nothing to stress about. That said, it’s not as tough as sapphire, so it won’t be quite as resistant to wear. The subtle dome of the crystal adds a distinctive touch, giving the watch a charming retro or vintage feel, though it does add a bit to the overall thickness. It’s a fantastic choice that enhance the watch’s character and perfectly compliments the dial.

The watch measures 38 mm in diameter, wears comfortable on my 17cm wrist. It comes with a stainless steel case. Inside, powered by the well-known workhorse movement, the Seiko NH35—a mechanical caliber commonly used by smaller independent brands. It beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. While it’s not the most accurate movement out there, it makes up for it with low maintenance needs and solid reliability over the years. Its power reserve is around 41 hours. Essentially, this movement is the counterpart to Seiko’s in-house 4R35, specifically made by the Japanese giant for external use.

It originally came on a very comfortable, soft leather strap, and to be honest, it was so good that I never really felt the urge to swap it out. The quality is spot on. That said, once I added a BOR (beads of rice) bracelet, the whole watch stepped up a level. For me, it really elevates the overall look and feel.

Final Thoughts

I can honestly say that the Paulin sisters have created something truly unique and in some ways, genuinely exceptional. Going with a Seiko automatic movement was a smart choice, adding that extra layer of charm that only an automatic can bring. The dial itself is simply stunning, especially in this colorway, though as always, that part comes down to personal taste.

It quickly became one of my favourite watches beside its striking look, because of the personal meaning it holds for me. This a watch I will always keep and I hope once my daughter will inherit from me.

On the downside, the water resistance is limited to 50 meters. It’s perfectly fine for hand-washing or getting caught in the rain or for general daily life, but you still need to be mindful, as it’s definitely not a watch for swimming or bathing. That said, it’s already traveled with me to Vietnam, and it handled the humidity, tropical climate, and heat without any issues at all.