Kilroy - Ardennes (11/25) - 40mm - Automatic
25 watches. 25 unique dials. Each one is truly one of a kind. Some limited editions are simply numbered. The Kilroy Was Here collection goes a step further: each of the 25 watches in this series is a genuinely unique piece. Every dial is handcrafted in our workshop from solid brass, through a lengthy and unpredictable artificial ageing process. Over the course of a week, different patinas and oxidation techniques gradually reveal colors, textures and contrasts that can never be recreated. Nearly half of the dials are rejected before completion, making every dial that passes our standards even more exclusive. The result is a dial that almost feels alive, with shades of turquoise, blue and bronze that shift with the light. No two watches ever look alike, and recreating an existing dial is virtually impossible. A tribute to the spirit of "Kilroy Was Here" During the Second World War, the mysterious graffiti "Kilroy Was Here", accompanied by the iconic long-nosed character peeking over a wall, began appearing wherever American troops went. It became a symbol of camaraderie, resilience and quiet humor in the face of adversity. With this collection, Meridiano pays tribute to that remarkable resilience of the human spirit: even in the darkest moments, even amid the horrors of war, people still find the strength to smile. The engraved Kilroy figure appears on the leather strap, alongside the famous "Kilroy Was Here" inscription, as a discreet reminder of that timeless message. A dial unlike any other The unique patinated brass dial features a Pilot-style sandwich construction, offering exceptional depth with outstanding legibility. Large cut-out indexes reveal a layer of Super-LumiNova® BGW9, providing a crisp blue glow in low light while enhancing the vintage military inspiration. Classic pilot hands The watch is fitted with Pilot-style hands, carefully proportioned for excellent legibility and also filled with Super-LumiNova® BGW9, ensuring perfect visibility day and night. Built for everyday wear Crafted from stainless steel, the 40.5 mm case combines brushed and polished surfaces in perfect balance, offering a timeless silhouette that looks at home on virtually any wrist. A screw-down crown and screw-down caseback ensure a water resistance of 100 metres (10 ATM), while the deeply engraved caseback is individually engraved with its unique edition number, from 1/25 to 25/25. Precision you can rely on At its heart beats the proven Seiko Instruments NH70 automatic movement, renowned for its reliability, durability and Japanese engineering. Each movement is individually hand-regulated in our workshop to achieve an accuracy of ±10 seconds per day or better, ensuring dependable performance for years to come. Handmade leather strap Every watch comes fitted with a handcrafted leather strap adorned with laser engravings of the iconic Kilroy character and the legendary "Kilroy Was Here" slogan. Like the dial itself, it gives the watch its own distinct personality while remaining faithful to the spirit of the collection. Carefully assembled by hand in our workshop in Marseille, France 🇫🇷