Amida Digitrend OSII Black: Luminous 70s Watch Icon Returns

In 1976, Amida dropped a bomb on the watch world. The original Digitrend wasn’t just a watch; it was a mechanical, digital, side-viewing spaceship for the wrist. Now, Amida has brought it back, and the new Digitrend OSII Black is the evolution we’ve been waiting for.

The original concept was pure genius for its time. It used a system of discs and a prism to project the time onto a side-facing display. This meant a driver could check the hour without ever taking their hand off the steering wheel.

After reviving the icon with the first Open Sapphire edition, Amida is doubling down. The OSII Black isn’t just a new colorway. It’s a ground-up refinement that fixes the one major critique of its predecessor: visibility in the dark.

The Amida Digitrend OSII Black In-Depth

This watch is a celebration of mechanics, housed in a case that is as much a feat of engineering as the movement inside. The OSII Black takes the "Open Sapphire" concept to its logical conclusion. It’s a transparent machine with a newly illuminated heart.

Architecture: More Sapphire Than Steel

Let's start with the case, because it's the main event. We're looking at a 316L stainless steel frame measuring 39.6mm wide by 39.0mm long. That 39mm lug-to-lug dimension is the key takeaway for wearability; it will sit neatly on almost any wrist.

The thickness is 15.6mm, which sounds substantial. But a huge portion of that height is the massive, single-block machined sapphire "hood." This isn't a crystal; it's the entire top shell of the watch, giving you a panoramic view of the mechanism within.

For the OSII Black, Amida has updated the internal steel framework with a black DLC coating. This turns what was purely structural into a deliberate piece of architecture. It makes the movement and lumed components pop against the dark, satin-brushed background.

The LRD Display, Now Illuminated

Amida’s patented Light Reflective Display (LRD) is what makes the Digitrend special. The movement operates with horizontal hour and minute discs. A sapphire prism inside the case catches the "image" of the numbers and projects it 90 degrees to the vertical side display.

It’s an entirely optical trick. The prism even magnifies the numerals for better legibility. It’s a mechanical solution to a display problem, completely analog and incredibly cool.

This isn't just a functional upgrade; it transforms the watch's character at night. The glowing internal architecture creates a spectacle that was missing from the first-generation revival. It’s a brilliant move.

Engine Room: Swiss Power, Amida Module

Under the sapphire hood is a Swiss automatic movement, the Soprod P024. This is a robust, reliable workhorse beating at a modern 4 Hz (28,800 vph). It offers a respectable 44-hour power reserve.

But Amida didn’t just drop in a stock caliber. They developed their own proprietary complication module for the time display. This jump-hour module is just 2mm thick and consists of only nine mechanical components and eight screws.

The display provides an instantaneous jumping hour, which clicks over precisely at the top of the hour. This is paired with a continuously scrolling, or "trailing," minutes disc. This combination gives the watch a dynamic, mechanical feel every time the hour changes.

On-Wrist Practicality

The watch is offered on two platforms. You can get it on a charcoal Alcantara strap with a vibrant orange calfskin lining. Or, for a premium, there’s an integrated 316L stainless steel bracelet option.

The lug width is a standard 22mm, and Amida wisely included quick-change spring bars. This is a small detail that shows they understand collectors. Water resistance is rated at 5 ATM, or 50 meters, which is more than enough for daily wear and unexpected splashes.

The Final Word on the Amida Digitrend

The Digitrend OSII Black is a confident step forward. By adding lume and refining the internal aesthetics with a DLC frame, Amida has created a more complete and compelling watch. It honors the wild spirit of the 1970s original while being a thoroughly modern machine.

Limited to just 150 pieces, this isn't a watch you'll see every day. It’s a statement about the enduring appeal of unconventional design. Amida is proving that a forgotten vision from the past can be one of the most exciting ideas for the future.

Case	39.6 mm × 39.0 mm × 15.6 mm, 316L stainless steel with DLC-coated frame
Hood	Single-block machined sapphire top shell
Movement	Soprod P024 with in-house jumping hour module
Power Reserve	44 hours
Frequency	28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Display	LRD (Light Reflective Display) with sapphire prism, Jumping Hours, Scrolling Minutes
Lume	White C1 grade X1 BL Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance	5 ATM (50 meters)
Strap/Bracelet	Charcoal Alcantara strap or optional 316L stainless steel bracelet (22mm lug width)
Price	Starts at CHF 5,150 (approx. $5,750 USD)

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