Pinion Brings Back The Pure In A New 38mm Diameter Case

British independent brand Pinion revives one of its earliest designs for a modern audience. Founded in 2013, Pinion launched the Pure the following year. That period also marked my renewed interest in watches after wearing a titanium Seiko for 15 years. I still own that Seiko today. Back in 2014, watch design looked very different. The oversized watch trend from the late 2000s had started to fade, yet it still dominated. As a result, the original Pure arrived with a 42mm case. That size felt slightly excessive for such a restrained dial. After a long hiatus, Pinion now returns the Pure in a far more balanced 38mm case. A wide range of colors completes the revival.

The new Pinion Pure features a compact and refined case in stainless steel or bronze. The stainless steel version combines brushed surfaces with polished accents. Circular graining decorates the upper lugs, while the bezel shines with a smooth high polish. The bronze case takes a different approach with an entirely brushed finish. Inside both is the manual-winding Sellita SW261-1 M. Without a rotor, the case stays slim at just 11mm. This choice enhances comfort and balance during wear. The 45-hour power reserve encourages daily interaction through winding. Dial options deliver the strongest personality. Stainless steel comes with black or orange dials, while bronze comes with black or green dials.

Pinion Pure 38mm

The Pure name suits the watch perfectly. This design focuses solely on essential timekeeping. Hours and minutes take center stage, supported by a small seconds sub-dial. The layout feels clear, familiar, and easy to read. Applied numerals at 3, 9, and 12 use a distinctive typeface that adds character. Slim hour markers fill the remaining positions, except for six o’clock. Each marker and numeral carries X1 Super-LumiNova with a blue glow. The recessed seconds register features concentric detailing for added depth. This layout breaks no rules, but it remains thoughtful. Paired with the smaller case, it works exceptionally well. The baton hands look sharp, though the dial lacks a minute track.

Without a minute track, an accurate setting requires extra patience. You must align the minute hand with the nearest five-minute marker. That process can involve waiting several minutes for perfect alignment. Estimating minute placement also proves difficult at a glance. Turning the watch reveals a sapphire caseback with an illustrated skeletal hand. British artist Keisha Karlsen created this illustration directly on the glass. The hand points toward the balance spring beneath. Appropriately, Pinion founder Piers Berry also watches over the mechanics. He designs, assembles, and regulates each watch in England. This hands-on approach defines the next chapter of Pinion. Each Pure arrives as part of a small production batch.

Final specifications

The Pure delivers 100 meters of water resistance through a push-down crown and double seal. A leather strap completes the watch with a 20mm lug width. Quick‑release spring bars also make strap changes easy. The Pinion Pure collection revisits a functional design through a contemporary lens. At £1,350, these watches remain exclusive to the Pinion website here.