Locman Italy History Ref. 488
Fashion / Dress Watch / Tonneau-shaped · Locman Italy (Independent)
Period: Art Deco Revival / Contemporary Italian (early 2000s)
Type
Fashion / Dress Watch / Tonneau-shaped
Brand
Locman Italy (Independent)
Movement
Swiss Quartz (likely ETA or Ronda caliber)
Dimensions
38mm width, 45mm lug-to-lug, 10mm thickness, 20mm lug width
Description
The Locman History is a bold, Italian-designed timepiece that leans heavily into the 'tonneau' (barrel) shape popular in both the Art Deco era and the early 21st-century luxury market. It is characterized by its large, playful numerals that appear to explode toward the edges of the dial, a design language similar to the high-end Franck Muller 'Crazy Hours' aesthetic but at a more accessible price point. The watch focuses on style and wrist presence rather than horological complexity.
Key Features
Exploding blue Arabic numerals, tonneau-shaped case, skeletonized hands, and the 'History' branding on the dial
Dial Description
Silver-white matte base featuring oversized, distorted 'crazy' Arabic numerals in blue; skeletonized sword hands with blue outlines; 'History' and 'Patented' text
Case Material
Polished Stainless Steel (316L)
Crystal Type
Curved Mineral Glass or sapphire-coated crystal
Bezel Details
Fixed, integrated polished stainless steel smooth bezel
Crown & Pushers
Simple push-pull crown with logo engraving; no crown guards
Bracelet or Strap
Navy blue alligator-pattern embossed leather strap with matching blue stitching and a stainless steel pin buckle
Caseback Details
Solid stainless steel, secured by four screws; featuring Locman logo, reference numbers, and 'Italy' engraving
Movement Type
Swiss Quartz (likely ETA or Ronda caliber)
Water Resistance
30 Meters / 3 ATM (splash proof only; not suitable for swimming or bathing)
Origin & Provenance
Italy (Design and Assembly); Movement: Swiss Made
Age Estimate
Circa 2000-2010
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'oversized' fashion watch trend of the early 2000s where Italian design houses competed with Swiss giants by emphasizing bold, avant-garde graphics
Condition Notes
Excellent to Mint; the case shows no visible scratches, the strap appears unworn, and the dial/crystal are clear of debris or marks
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 USD depending on box and papers; retail price was significantly higher at launch
Care & Maintenance
Regular battery changes every 2-3 years; avoid water exposure as leather and non-screw-down crowns are not dive-ready; wipe with a micro-fiber cloth
Similar Watches
Franck Muller Cintree Curvex (high-end alternative), Cuervo y Sobrinos Prominente (heritage alternative), GaGa Milano (fashion alternative)
Interesting Facts
Locman is headquartered on the island of Elba, Italy, and was one of the first brands to experiment with carbon fiber and aluminum in watch cases during the late 90s