Hands-On With The New Nezumi Corbeau CQ4.702 — Featuring Black DLC And A Pop Of Color

Nezumi is one of those microbrands that I always follow closely. I like its overall retro style, but that’s only half of the story because plenty of brands release new watches based on historical designs. What makes Nezumi stand out is the use of color. The brand often uses less obvious color combinations. I like that design approach because it leads to stunning results, and it has ensured that many Nezumi releases have stood out in the busy microbrand world. But it doesn’t always have to be all that different. Proof of that is the newest version of the Nezumi Corbeau with a black DLC bezel. I had a chance to find out more.

The use of less traditional colors in the watch world has stood out to me recently. Nomos has launched multiple series with stunningly different dials, Parmigiani Fleurier picked beautiful soft tones for its Toric models, and Farer also comes to mind when it comes to colors that stand out. Nezumi is another brand that uses colors very well. It’s not always as simple as picking less common colors. If you weed through the Swedish brand’s collection, you will see that quite a few releases use more standard ones. Still, Nezumi has shown it’s not scared to use softer, off-the-beaten-path tones, and this approach has led to interesting releases over time.

Two new Nezumi Corbeau chronographs

The newest duo of releases is a new take on the brand’s mil-spec-themed Corbeau chronograph. It was the second watch that Nezumi founder David Campo designed and has been around since 2016. Mike covered the special Pan Am edition not too long ago, which perfectly shows how well the brand does colors.

For the new Corbeau models, Campo introduces a reverse-panda-dial version (ref. CQ4.202) and a funkier one with several black DLC-treated components and a vintage-inspired dial with a stylish touch of color in the 30-minute counter (ref.CQ4.702). It makes these two new Corbeau models worth checking out if you like the combination of a vintage spirit and a colorful, stylish execution. We had the latter version in for review to find out more about this affordable chronograph.

The specs of the Nezumo Corbeau

Let’s zoom in on the specs first. The two Corbeau models each feature a 40mm stainless steel case with a 12.75mm thickness and a 47mm lug-to-lug. The blacked-out version we had in for review features a brushed stainless steel mid case with a black DLC bezel.

Additionally, the signed push-pull crown, pushers, and case back share the same black DLC coating. The 120-click unidirectional bezel features a black insert featuring a 12-hour scale for tracking an additional time zone or counting elapsed hours. The markings and numerals are printed in white for maximum contrast.

Contrasting the matte black dial are Super-LumiNova X1 Arabic numerals for the hours a a 60-second scale on the outside. Of the three sub-dials, the ones at 3 and 6 o’clock are in line with the dial, while the one at 9 o’clock adds a nice pop of vibrance with its light blue and dark yellow colors.

The yellow matches nicely with the two classy arrow-tipped chronograph hands. Accompanying the elapsed-seconds hand in the center are black and luminous pencil-style hour and minute hands, fitting the watch’s style very well. Looking at the watch, it reminds me of the legendary Heuer Bund chronographs or the vintage Sinn 155 models. It’s a look that I love because of its utilitarian approach, but add a touch of color like Nezumi does, and the result is a playful take on that serious chronograph.

The Classic version is equally handsome

For the reverse-panda-dial version, Campo stuck to a classic aesthetic. This model’s case, bezel, and case back are all regular stainless steel. The bezel features the same black insert with white numerals as the version with black DLC.

The matte black dial features off-white sub-dials that match the outer minute track. To make things look more retro, the numerals for the minutes and hours, and the hands all feature beige Super-LumiNova. Once again, the dark yellow central chronograph hand provides a rich touch of color and a visual link to the small hand of the 60-minute chronograph counter at 9 o’clock. I like the aesthetic of this classic version as well, and it’s perfect for people who are looking for an affordable option in the style of the Heuer Bund chronographs.

Powered by a Seiko VK63 meca-quartz movement

Inside the case of both Corbeau models, Nezumi uses the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz movement. This battery-powered caliber has a smooth-sweeping central chronograph hand, which has helped make it a fan favorite. It is accurate to within ±20 seconds per month and has a battery life of three years. The VK63 is the perfect reliable caliber to keep the price of these chronographs affordable and the dimensions friendly for a comfortable wearing experience.

Wearing the Nezumi Corbeau CQ4.702

I had the chance to wear the new version of the Corbeau with black DLC elements for a couple of days. The first thing that stood out to me was how comfortably familiar the watch felt on the wrist. A big part of that comes from the classical looks. As already mentioned, I love the classic Heuer Bund and Sinn 155 chronographs that this model takes after, so putting a watch with a similar look on my wrist feels good. But the other thing that immediately stands out is the nice combination of colors that spices up the 60-minute chronograph counter at 9 o’clock. It gives the watch a modern touch without making it feel modern.

We had the watch on the Juno canvas strap with some nice vintage stitching details and a black DLC buckle. I love that Campo also made the buckle black so that it fits the theme nicely.

The watch is also offered on the retro-style Hunt leather strap, which is another great option. Lastly, the watch is also available with the stainless steel Colin 2.2 bracelet. It is a fully brushed Jubilee-style bracelet with a folding clasp and a toolless micro-adjustment system.

A solid, well-designed watch

Besides looking impressively nice, the watches also feel really well made. The Corbeau is solid, and operating the chronograph results in a series of firm, reassuring clicks. Thankfully, operating the crown when setting the time feels equally reassuring. Also, the 120-click bezel turns with crisp clicks and offers the practicality of tracking the time in another time zone. As a fan of the GMT function, I love this little twist to a classic chronograph. For watches that are well under €500, the Corbeau models feel extremely well considered. The same goes for the 40mm size. Thanks to the meca-quartz movement, Nezumi was able to keep a sub-13mm profile, making the Corbeau a joy to wear.

Final thoughts

Overall, I was impressed by the new Nezumi Corbeau CQ4.702, especially considering that this model and the non-DLC stainless steel version can be yours for €373 + VAT on either the canvas or the leather strap. On the bracelet, the price bumps up to €457 + VAT, but it still makes these new Nezumi Corbeau models tempting offerings for people looking for an affordable chronograph with characteristic looks firmly rooted in the past. The colorful twist that Nezumi offers quickly transports the Corbeau to modern times, allowing it to become a characterful daily wearer.

If you are interested in the new Nezumi Corbeau models, head over to the brand’s official website for more info and details.

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