The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
- Filippo Loreti is the most crowdfunded watch company ever.
- Using a direct-to-consumer business model, the brand sells high-end luxury watches for a fraction of retail prices.
- We tried the newly launched Venice Moonphase Collection (priced from $219-$295), and they're better than ever before.
There are literally hundreds of watch companies on the market that create extremely stylish timepieces. While legacy brands have already established a name and following for themselves, startup brands must be unique to truly set themselves apart — and Filippo Loreti has done just that.
Last year, we introduced our readers to the startup as the most crowdfunded watch company ever, and their success has only grown.
Founded in 2015 by Danielius and Matas Jakutis, Filippo Loreti looked to change the watch industry by selling luxury watches at affordable prices. They're able to do this eliminating middlemen and retailers that mark up prices exponentially. A watch that would typically go for $1,000 from other brands, Filippo Loreti sells for a fraction of the cost, with many styles priced under $250.
The brand draws inspiration from three iconic Italian cities — Venice, Rome, and Milan — and uses premium craftsmanship in an array of elegant designs to appeal to all kinds of watch lovers.
Now, Filippo Loreti is back with the newly updated Venice Moonphase Collection and the quality is even better than before. Priced at $239, the watch is available in six colorways, making it not only an amazing deal, but a great way to add variety to your watch collection.
The design isn't too far off from the original Venice watch, but there are a few key difference that collectively make it more elegant. The 40mm case is sleeker, the hour markers are not as large, and there's no second hand. Features like the subdials, which display the month, day, and date, along with a dial that shows the phase of the moon, are all carried over from the original design. Similar to previous versions, the reverse side of the case features an engraved Basilica di San Marco image, this time in more pronounced detail.
Realistically, not everyone has thousands of dollars to shell out for a single watch. High retail prices usually force people to sacrifice quality for style and value, but that doesn't have to be the case anymore. If you're looking for a high-end luxury watch for under $250, the new Filippo Loreti Venice Moonphase watch is for you.
Shop all luxury watches at Filippo Loreti now.
Filippo Loreti sent over a few watches from the collection for the Insider Picks team to try. Check out our thoughts and impressions, below:
Amir Ismael, Insider Picks reporter: Venice Moonphase Gold
I first tried Filippo Loreti watches back in August 2017 and was thoroughly impressed with the quality — so much so that I've worn one of their watches almost every day since then. When I first heard about the all-new Venice Moonphase collection, I was expecting the same premium quality, but was pleasantly surprised with an even better made watch.
The first thing that stood out to me was the rich textured Italian leather strap. I was very happy with the smooth leather straps found on earlier models, but the tumbled leather used here feels a lot more luxurious. I also really enjoy the updated sleek design of the case. Initially, I thought the removal of the second hand was odd, but knowing the time down to the second isn't that important. It gives the display a clean and simple look that I've come to appreciate.
I've tested a lot of watches in this price range and none of them match up to Filippo Loreti. If you're looking for a classy watch that you can wear on a daily basis, the Venice Moonphase is a great choice.
Filippo Loreti Venice Moonphase Gold, $239
David Slotnick, Insider Picks senior reporter: Venice Moonphase Blue Gold
I tried the Venice Moonphase Blue Gold. I’ve always liked moonphase watches, but I never had a chance to actually wear one before. While the moonphase feature obviously isn’t as applicable as the date or day of the week, I still loved having it on the watch. It adds a nice bit of character and timelessness.
Speaking of the moonphase, that, and the other complications — month, date, and day — are perfectly sized, laid out well, and easy to read. Even with four subdials, the term that kept coming to mind was “minimal.”
In terms of style, what I loved about the watch was that it had a unique look without being tacky or overdone. The blue bezel makes the watch stand out, and even though I was a little skeptical at first, I found that the watch dressed both up and down well. I can wear it with a sweater or shirt to work, or with a suit to a wedding.
Filippo Loreti Venice Moonphase Blue Gold, $239
Jacob Harrison, Insider Picks analyst: Venice Moonphase Rose Gold
I have never been much of a fan of wearing watches. My wrist is small and watches with big faces often look to clunky, while smaller faces tend to look too feminine. This was true until I saw the Filippo Loreti watch filling the gap between the two. It is elegant, with a blue face and quality blue leather band all accented with gold hardware details. It’s also the perfect size.
The best part of the aesthetic is the fact that it is not overdone. It does not feature diamonds or patent leather where the watch prescribes the situation in which you can wear it. In fact, the simplicity of the watch itself makes it perfect for everyday use at work or home, while the gold punch allows you to "wear it up" with a full suit like I did to a dinner party.
Filippo Loreti Venice Moonphase Rose Gold, $239
See the rest of the story at Business Insider