Ebel Wave Gent Automatic

So, what’s new in the Ebel Wave Gent? For one thing on the model I tested, the gold accents on the bezel and bracelet have gone from yellow to red gold, adding a contemporary palette to the retro design. The case has also been reimagined, this time featuring a round silhouette rather than the hexagonal form of its predecessors. The Ebel Wave doesn’t come with the five screws that would otherwise be placed between the bezel and the case. This distinguishes the Ebel Wave from the Ebel Classic.

I found it interesting that Ebel went for a 40mm case diameter, a tad smaller than what we’re used to seeing in similar watches today. I actually feel this is a great size for a watch that has always been sporty yet understated.

My only gripe with the case is the crown, which I found a little bit difficult to manipulate since it’s a screw-down crown and the case extends well under it. 

Although I’m not the biggest fan of metal bracelets, I’ve always found the Ebel Wave’s one of the best executed out there. The grooves are done in gold plating, as in the original collection, given that the way it’s designed the links are made of single components, so a mix with solid gold simply isn’t possible. Besides, at this price point you really can’t complain. Not only is it gorgeous with its alternating satin-brushed steel and polished red gold tone grooves, it’s also quite comfortable on the wrist.

The dial is done in a fairly traditional but always appealing silver tone with a radial sunburst satin finish, set with rounded red gold tone hours and minutes hands with matching applied and rounded “rice grain” hour-markers. The central sweeping seconds hand is also done in red gold tone, but this time with a flat surface that matches the rectangular date window. Overall a clean and legible dial that doesn’t scream “sports watch”. Note the absence of luminescent paint on the hands and markers.

The Ebel Wave Gent is equipped with the ETA 2824-2 movement, a tried and tested workhorse that you can wear relatively carefree. The finish details such as the côte-de-Genève stripes and perlage graining lend the movement a more premium-looking finish.

It’s hard to pinpoint a specific category that the Ebel Wave Gent falls in. On the one hand, it’s a two-tone watch with a steel bracelet. On the other, it’s got details that would fit right in with a more classical watch. Rather than a critique this highlights the versatility that the Ebel Wave offers as a daily go-to watch. It’s got a certain throwback/retro feel without necessarily being a vintage-inspired timepiece. Tracing its origins back to 1977 when Ebel first introduced its “Sport Classic” line featuring a wave-design bracelet with two-tone accents throughout, the Wave remains an iconic timepiece for Ebel that has stood the test of time. 

You can expect the Ebel Wave Gent to make its way to retailers across the world from October, with a sticker price of $2’600 USD.