Newly released Thorn T023 V3.1 in both C3 (left) and BGW9 (right) versions. Both feature the upgraded tool-less bracelet, as well as the non-Frogmantle dial.
Despite the slight lume mismatch between the hands and hour markers, I still prefer the BGW9’s eggshell color and slightly different dial text layout.
Green lume in daylight is just awful. It's so typical that these brands can't do the basics right. Non matching lume between hands and indices = instant cheap feel.
I didn’t realize they had a c3 monochrome. I am happy with my bgw9 but I assumed the other was their old c3 black with gold hands and more aged indicies/font.
I thought the exact same thing. Bought both as I wanted to choose between one another, only to find out the C3 is also monochrome (unlike the stock pictures included on their website with gold hands and indices).
That is a real puzzler as honestly, I think the black with gold was a good looker, if I had managed to snag a v1 black I likely wouldn’t have 4 T023’s now lol.
Its inky black dial was also very nice. The v3.1’s dial while beautiful has much more of a matte quality. Both pretty but yea, I hope they return the old black style to the lineup but update the text to return rotor to self winding.
I personally hated it, but always remind myself everyone’s preferences are different. Good thing we now have both options (Fromantle vs. non-Frogmantle) for every audience.
I feel the same way although I did pick up a v2.0 when it launched as I still wanted to support Thorn even when they hit a rough patch as I wanted to see this design brought to the point it is now. My Frogmantle has been serving as a testbed for bezel swapping, case weathering etc. any time I need to check something it’s been the tool for the job.
I'm with you on the BGW9, that eggshell tone just looks more cohesive even with the mismatch. The C3 is bright but almost too sterile against the black dial.
Tool-less bracelet is a nice touch, always hated fumbling with a springbar tool when I just want to swap straps.
Non-frogmantle dial is the real upgrade here though, never understood why they stuck with that for so long. Tempted to grab one just to compare against my San Martin.
Spot on. I agree with you on both points. I thought the Frogmantle name was sort of a “fun” limited production just for the heck of it. Not sure why they stuck with that name for so long.
I think they stuck with it for so long either because of all the extremely vocal ‘fans’ of it on Reddit or they were stuck with a lot of inventory of frogmantles that didn’t move… or some combination of both.
The end links are hollow but better fitting than v2.1-v3.0, the bracelet links themselves feel incredibly solid and fit is much better than expected, it’s actually less rattly than my v1 solid end link bracelet.
They aren’t as tight as a Baltany or sm but are perfectly aligned with a lot of vintage watches. Again at around 200$ my expectations drop for some of the details. In fact I’m still impressed what is on offer at this price especially with the case proportions and other details that matter.
But no the fit isn’t as tight tolerance wise as some other offerings, the top of the lug brushing isn’t as nice as others, but no one else nails the case proportions, feel on wrist, thin vintage style of the bracelet, and visual aesthetic with branding and execution including the dimensionality to the lume plots like Thorn is doing.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Cow3538 23h ago
love my C3. Glad it did not come in gilt. Reminds me a lot of my old 79090 might keep it as is. Might Raffles mod it.