The March LA.B AM2 XS Series Cracks Every Dress Code With Ease

One thing that makes a watch series interesting to me is variety. I love it when a series can transform like a chameleon without losing its recognizability. The March LA.B AM2 collection does exactly that. The watches’ shapes and details make them instantly recognizable. Even though the brand has introduced a string of different versions, there is no doubt that they are all March LA.B AM2s. A great example is the trio of AM2 XS models. These ultra-slim dress watches add a nice twist to the concept of the AM2 and are suited to many situations. As it turns out, this might be the most versatile trio that the brand offers.

A great way to show the versatility of the AM2 collection is to simply compare the AM2 XS series in this review with the AM2 “Nyctalope” Carbon that I reviewed this past March. The former is a classic series of dress watches, whereas the latter is a modern lightweight version using high-tech materials. But regardless of how different they might be, you can clearly see that they are part of the same collection. I like this congruence, especially because I love the watches’ designs. But does the AM2 XS impress on other fronts? I had a chance to find out in a hands-on review.

The story of the March LA.B AM2 XS

March LA.B’s AM2 collection has grown into a wide range of watches. The AM2 XS is a small series of extra-slim dress watches. To create it, the team at March LA.B reduced the case size and installed a manual-winding caliber. The result is a trio that really doubles down on retro charm. I had a chance to check out the three versions.

The first is the Golden Hour, which features a case plated with three microns of yellow gold and a matching dial. The second is the stainless steel Shelter variant with a white dial and gold-colored details. Both came equipped with a black leather strap for a proper dress-watch look. Lastly, there’s the stainless steel Grall, housing a dark green dial and coming fitted with a stainless steel bracelet. This is a slightly less formal version that still retains its stylish appeal.

The details of the March LA.B AM2 XS

Let’s go over the details of the three watches. They each feature a square 32mm case with a 6.7mm profile and an 18mm lug spacing. This case is water resistant to 50 meters and has a push/pull crown at 4 o’clock. It’s a signature detail, along with the angular ’70s-style case design that looks super handsome in this smaller size. The only element I wasn’t too sure about was the large crown at 4 o’clock. It looks disproportionately big compared to the case. But wearing the AM2 XS would give me the final answer.

All three dials have an intricate texture that works really well. It adds retro charm to the white dial with gold accents while adding depth and detail to the green dial. All three textured dials feature the signature set of applied markers that we know from other AM2 models. The indexes at 1, 5, 7, and 11 o’clock are horizontal, which adds a fun detail. It’s a simple trick, but it works well because it ensures the dial isn’t just a run-of-the-mill design we have seen before. It must be said, though, that TAG Heuer also uses horizontal markers on its Monaco watches.

The manual-winding La Joux-Perret D101

If you turn the watches around, you are greeted by the brand’s signature green-tinted sapphire crystal. It offers a view of the La Joux-Perret D101 that powers the three watches. It operates at 21,600 vph, has 18 jewels, and offers a 50-hour power reserve. This ultra-slim movement is a time-only version of LJP’s popular D100.

While I am not the biggest fan of colored crystals, I found it less of a problem on the green-dial version that came on a bracelet, which gives the watch a sportier feel. On top of that, this crystal complements the green dial and suits the watch’s overall color scheme. For the two dressier models on leather straps, a regular sapphire display or even an all-metal case back feels like a better solution.

Speaking of the bracelet and straps, the seven-row stainless steel bracelet feels very nicely made and wears super comfortably thanks to its great flexibility. It has a nice little clasp that you can fasten in two positions. To strap the watch to your wrist, first flip open the branded top of the clasp, then fold it around the bar on the other end of the bracelet, which fits into the two slots in the clasp. Once it’s in, just close the clasp with a firm click, and you are good to go.

Wearing the March LA.B AM2 XS series

On the wrist, these smaller AM2 XS models really shine. The smaller case looked surprisingly good on my colleagues’ variously sized wrists. I initially thought these watches might be too small, but I was more than comfortable with their dimensions. On top of that, the crown is not bad at all on the wrist. If you put the AM2 XS on a desk, the crown looks too big. But as soon as the watch lands on your wrist, it all makes sense.

When it comes to the different versions, I was impressed by the super retro feel of the Golden Hour. It looks like a proper vintage piece, but the quality and the details will let you know that you are wearing a modern watch. On top of that, you can wear this as a dress watch, but it also does well in less formal situations where you just want to wear something stylish.

The striking AM2 XS Grall

The second model that stood out was the green-dial version on the bracelet. The bracelet gives it more presence, pushing it toward sportier territory. This turns it into the kind of watch you can wear in almost any situation. It also brought back memories of a Citizen my dad bought in the 1980s, which was his go-to when he wasn’t wearing his Omega Seamaster De Ville. The AM2 XS has steeper case slopes and considerably more detail, but on the wrist, the overall feel is close enough to create an instant soft spot in me.

I connected the least with the stainless steel Shelter variant. With its white dial and gold-colored accents, it felt a bit safer than the other two. Maybe that’s why it’s called the Shelter… Jokes aside, though, if you are looking for a quieter dress watch, this white-dial version is a nice option. Overall, I had quite a bit of fun wearing the three March LA.B AM2 XS models. The smaller dimensions make the watches super easy to wear, and they instantly give off a nice retro charm. So I would say that this smaller version of the AM2 is a welcome addition to the brand’s growing catalog.

Final thoughts on the March LA.B AM2 XS series

Throughout the year, I am always pleasantly surprised by a small number of hands-on experiences. My time with the March LA.B AM2 XS series turned out to be one of those. Going into this, I liked the watches, but they didn’t necessarily stand out to me. But once they landed on my desk and I had a chance to wear them, I quickly liked the three AM2 XS variants for their charm, great wearability, and quality. Of course, it was also a nice surprise that the green-dial Grall reminded me of an old watch my dad used to wear.

But even if you leave that out of the equation, the AM2 XS series combines great retro styling with modern-day specs. I was thoroughly impressed by how versatile they are, too. You can wear these watches in so many different situations, making them surprisingly great daily wearers at a reasonable price.

The stainless steel Grall and Shelter each retail for €1,760 on the lizard leather strap and €2,010 on the stainless steel bracelet or an alligator leather strap. The Golden Hour is available for €2,820 with a black alligator leather strap. What you get in return is a great dress watch from a brand that really has found its own over time. I can’t wait to see what is next for March LA.B, but if it’s anything as good as the AM2 XS series, we can expect a lot more great releases from the French brand.

This is a partnership post. Learn more.