We?re nearing the end of the year, and being the type of person who is already keenly interested in list making as a form of assessment, I?ve naturally started to think about the watches, brands, and new releases that have left the biggest mark in 2023. For me personally, there probably isn?t a more important release or addition to my own collection than the Arcanaut Arc II Fordite, a watch I?ve made no secret of my admiration for many times over. Arcanaut looms large for me as an independent brand that is accessible, contemporary in their aesthetic, and willing to experiment, all things I put a high value on when it comes to new watches. Their latest releases are something of an extension of the D?Arc Matter Colors Collection we told you about a few months ago, and lean heavily into the brand?s commitment to experimenting with materials in new and interesting ways. 
First up is the Havender, which takes the Arc II platform and gives it a dial in a gorgeous shade of light purple. But this isn?t simply a coat of paint on a base dial – according to Arcanaut, the Havender represents the brand?s most ambitious composite dial to date. The source of the dial and its unique color comes from a surprising place: Scandinavian mussel shells. Part of the ethos of the Arcanaut brand is to source components locally whenever possible, and brand co-owner James Thompson saw an interesting opportunity via a mussel farm located close to Aracanaut?s headquarters. 

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