Few watches capture the spirit of 1970s futurism quite like the Amida Digitrend. Now, with the launch of the Open Sapphire edition, the brand invites collectors into the inner workings of its unique jumping hour machine. By pairing retro design codes with modern materials and finishing, Amida continues to prove that it’s not just reviving a cult classic—it’s redefining it.
A Brand That Defied the Quartz Crisis—And Came Back Stronger
Founded in the 1920s in Switzerland, Amida was one of the few brands during the quartz crisis that tried something daring: a mechanical watch with a digital display. The original Digitrend, launched in 1976, featured a jumping hour mechanism visible through a prism display, mimicking the look of early LED watches but keeping a traditional movement inside.
Reborn in 2024 under new leadership (the same as Depancel to be precise), the brand’s revival collection stayed faithful to the original concept while upgrading nearly every detail. The Digitrend’s return was met with applause from enthusiasts drawn to its leftfield charm, mechanical ingenuity, and historical relevance. The Open Sapphire now takes this idea even further.
Technical Transparency: Inside the Open Sapphire
The Digitrend Open Sapphire lives up to its name with an ultra-wide curved sapphire crystal on top of a steel case, showcasing the caliber Soprod Newton P092 combined with a jumping hour module from all angles. This automatic movement delivers a 44-hour power reserve and beats at a steady 4Hz. Most notably, it drives a jumping hour and dragging minutes display, powered by a snail cam and rack system—a nod to vintage digital display mechanics.
The dimensions remain familiar: 39.6mm wide, 39mm long, and 15.6mm thick, though the visual weight is reduced by the transparency of the case. Sapphire isn’t just used for the crystal and case—it also features for the lateral and bottom surfaces, held together with metal rods and gaskets. The movement, visible from every angle, reveals Geneva stripes, perlage, and a balance bridge finished to high standards.
One detail worth noting is the front-facing prism display, carefully redesigned to magnify the digital time readout with clarity. The typography mimics that of the original 1976 model, preserving the aesthetic that made the Digitrend such a cult object.
A Watch for the Avant-Garde Collector
The Open Sapphire isn’t a tool watch or a minimalist dress piece. It’s a statement of horological curiosity, ideal for collectors drawn to design history, mechanical innovation, or simply something that stands apart from the crowd. Whether paired with a monochrome outfit or worn as a conversation starter, the Digitrend Open Sapphire feels like a watch for those who care more about originality than convention.
Its retro-futuristic form channels the energy of 1970s concept cars and space-age furniture, while its sapphire case connects it to modern transparent timepieces from Hublot, Bell & Ross, or Girard-Perregaux. And yet, it’s neither derivative nor nostalgic—it lives in a space of its own.
Pricing, Availability, and Final Thoughts
Limited to just 150 pieces, the Amida Digitrend Open Sapphire is priced at CHF 4,500 (approximately $5,640 USD) and is available now through the brand’s official website. Each piece is individually numbered, and the production method, especially for the complex sapphire case, means availability may remain limited in the future.
In a sea of vintage reissues and design homages, Amida dares to bring something truly unexpected to the table. The Open Sapphire proves that mechanical creativity and retro cool can coexist—not in the past, but right here, right now. And really, how often do you get to wear a piece of 1970s sci-fi on your wrist? If you liked this watch, you will – for sure – love the latest MB&F’s HM8 Mark 2 Purple which shares similar specs !
