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Add Texture to GoogleSome watches call for a special occasion, while others aim to become second nature. The Capri by De Rijke & Co. clearly belongs to the latter category. Its rectangular, almost architectural design does not aim for absolute discretion; yet its new Champagne, Silver, and Salmon variations were designed to be taken out of the safe and worn on the wrist. It’s an enticing challenge: to transform a statement watch—typically reserved for evening wear or enthusiasts of bold classicism—into an everyday accessory.
This ambition explains the brand’s decision to incorporate these three dials into its permanent collection. The first Capri models were offered in limited editions of 50 pieces, featuring lacquered blue, black onyx, or black aventurine dials. Their continued production is therefore not merely a matter of color variation: it reflects a desire to solidify the model’s identity around hues that are less spectacular but easier to wear over the long term.
A design-driven watch that rejects stagnant nostalgia
De Rijke & Co. was born from a very practical question posed by Laurens de Rijke, an industrial designer and classic car enthusiast: how can you check the time without letting go of the steering wheel? The answer was the Amalfi, a watch whose inner case could rotate up to 90 degrees to ensure readability while driving. The Capri abandons this rotating mechanism to shift the focus toward everyday elegance.
Nevertheless, it retains something of that connection to the automotive world: a pursuit of functionality hidden beneath very clean lines. Its brushed stainless steel case measures 28.5 mm wide, 38 mm long, and just 6.5 mm thick. These proportions allow it to avoid two common pitfalls of rectangular watches: the overly fussy look of a small case and the stiffness of an oversized design.
The most distinctive detail is located above the dial. A domed sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating on both sides, appears to be held between two metal bands positioned at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. This construction gives the case a presence very different from that of a traditional rectangle encircled by metal. The glass surface contributes to the overall volume rather than simply sitting on top of it like a lid.
The case back has been designed with the same intention of preserving the purity of the design: the case back screws are concealed behind the bracelet. This detail is barely visible when worn, but it reveals an approach that prioritizes hiding technical elements that might detract from the silhouette. Water resistance is rated at 30 meters, or 3 bars: sufficient for everyday activities, without attempting to transform this delicate timepiece into a sports watch.
Three dials, three ways to capture the light
The new permanent collection is built around a single frosted, curved dial. The polished applied hour markers extend the hands in a harmonious interplay of light. At six o’clock, a recessed small seconds sub-dial adorned with circular guilloché adds depth to this deliberately minimalist design. The hour markers are now all the same length, while the “Dutch Crafted” inscription appears beneath a black rectangular outline with rounded corners.
The Champagne model is undoubtedly the one that best expresses the shifting character of this surface. Its hue shifts from a pale gold to a deeper champagne depending on the lighting. The silver hands and hour markers create a subtle contrast, accentuated by a red small-seconds hand. This red, already present on the Capri Blue, serves here as a subtle accent rather than an ostentatious statement.
The Silver version takes this restraint even further. The silver dial and the steel case interact almost tone-on-tone, to the point of giving the impression that the whole piece blends into a single material. The red small seconds hand thus becomes the sole chromatic break. This is likely the easiest style to envision in a regular rotation: it retains the Capri’s graphic personality without imposing a dominant color on an outfit.
The Salmon version takes a more expressive direction. Its frosted salmon-pink dial is paired with a blue small seconds hand, breaking from the red chosen for the other two models. The combination immediately evokes Mediterranean light and lives up to the watch’s name. It is also the version most dependent on its context: luminous and alluring in a light-colored wardrobe, it will require more confidence when colors grow darker and winter settles in with its grays.
The Champagne and Silver dials are described as nickel-plated silver, while the Salmon dial features a frosted rose finish. This difference in material and color matters just as much as the choice of shade itself. On a watch of modest dimensions, the texture prevents the dial from looking flat and allows it to maintain a presence without resorting to overpowering decoration.
The Coherence of a Movement Chosen for Its Purpose
Inside, the Capri is powered by the D100 caliber from La Joux-Perret. This movement features 18 jewels, beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), and offers a 50-hour power reserve. De Rijke & Co. does not claim to have developed this movement in-house. The choice is for a caliber supplied by a specialist, consistent with the watch’s positioning and the goal of creating a slim, legible, and wearable timepiece.
The functions are deliberately limited to hours, minutes, and a small seconds hand. This simplicity reinforces the Capri’s overall concept: its appeal stems from the balance between form, dial craftsmanship, and proportions—not from an accumulation of complications. In this price range, the boldness of this design choice carries more weight than an overloaded technical pitch.
The Strap: The Final Frontier
The strap deserves special attention because it greatly influences the watch’s character. Crafted from calfskin, it tapers from 24 mm to 18 mm and fastens with a steel pin buckle. On the Salmon model, the deep blue leather naturally complements the color of the small seconds hand and creates a well-balanced contrast between the warm pink of the dial and the cool blue of the strap.
On the Champagne and Silver models, this blue adds a more casual touch, but it also limits styling options. With a wardrobe dominated by black, the pairing may seem less obvious. This is no trivial matter for a watch marketed as durable and suitable for everyday wear. The brand already offers alternative straps for the Amalfi; extending this option to the Capri would significantly broaden its versatility, particularly for the Silver version.
This reservation does not call into question the relevance of the current strap: it gives the Capri a less formal identity than a classic black leather strap. But it serves as a reminder that a watch with a distinctive shape—even a very slim one—remains an object of style. Its elegance also depends on what surrounds it.
A Justified Price Increase
The transition to the permanent collection comes with a new price: €2,495, compared to €2,195 for the first limited editions. The difference is €300, even though the case and the D100 caliber remain comparable to those of the Capri Blue. This increase reflects the model’s integration into an ongoing collection rather than a technical departure.
Deliveries are expected to begin in March 2027. To explore the Champagne configuration and the world of the collection, visit the De Rijke & Co. website. Between the shifting Champagne, the nearly monochromatic Silver, and the sunnier Salmon, the Capri ultimately poses a simple question: which color can grace a wrist for years without eventually being confined to a single season?
