Havaan Tuvali Broadway 35 Review: Vintage Soul In A 35mm Package
A Microbrand Gem Discovered in Prague
November 2025 is etched pretty clearly in my horological memory. It was my first time at Micro Praha, my first proper microbrand fair, and also the first time I had Havaan Tuvali’s Broadway 35 on my wrist. Somewhere between the buzz of collectors, the clinking of bracelets and that familiar smell of leather straps, this compact 35 millimeter piece quietly stole a lot more attention than its size would suggest (small watch, big personality).
Havaan Tuvali is one of those microbrands you tend to hear about in niche corners of the internet before you ever see one in person. Founded by Taiwanese watchmaker Eric Yeh (it was great meeting Eric!), the brand has built a cult following by combining vintage new old stock cases and movements with contemporary handmade dials, all assembled and regulated by Eric himself. The Broadway line distills that philosophy beautifully, a new watch literally reborn from old parts, with the Broadway 35 Nightfall Arabic numerals edition being one of the most charming expressions of the concept.
The watch we are focusing on here is the Broadway 35 Nightfall Arabic numerals version, a dark navy, almost inky blue execution with clean Arabic indices that leans into everyday dress watch territory. But it sits within a wider Broadway 35 family, which also includes the Dawnlight Arabic numerals with its light matte dial and the Nightfall Ancient Chinese numerals variant that swaps the familiar Arabic script for stylised Chinese characters. If you like the overall architecture, you basically pick your script and your mood.
Case and Dimensions: Compact with real Vintage Presence
On paper, the Broadway 35 sounds almost timid with its 35 millimeter diameter, 37 millimeter lug to lug and roughly 10 millimeter thickness. In reality, it wears like a perfectly judged vintage dress watch that just happens to have been built for modern enthusiasts. The case is stainless steel, based on genuine NOS shells from the 1970s that Eric sources, restores and selectively finishes, which explains why the proportions feel so authentically old school rather than computer optimised (and he usually has as many watches as he has movements/cases).
The short lugs help the watch hug the wrist, and on my roughly 17 centimeter wrist at Micro Praha it sat with that sweet, almost jewel-like footprint that many modern pieces simply do not offer anymore. Water resistance is a modest 3 bar/30m, so it is definitely more of a city companion than a sports watch, but that fits its dressy, refined role. The case lines themselves are simple and honest, letting the dial do most of the talking, yet the overall package feels coherent and deliberate, not generic catalog fare.
Dial: Nightfall Arabic with character
The real showpiece of the Broadway 35 Nightfall Arabic is the dial. In this Nightfall guise, you get a deep navy blue surface with a special matte finish that gently absorbs light rather than bouncing it around. Seen under the fair’s artificial lighting, it had this soft, evening sky quality that felt very much in line with the model name (time really does fly when you stare at it).
Arabic numerals are printed crisply around the dial, providing immediate legibility and a slightly casual, almost school clock charm that keeps things approachable. The handset is classic and slender, proportioned to the compact dial without feeling spindly. Paired with the small seconds and minute track, the result is a layout that feels timeless and quietly confident rather than shouty.
If you branch out within the Broadway 35 family, the Dawnlight Arabic edition brings the same architecture to a pale, white matte dial that instantly feels more formal and dress coded for brighter outfits, while the Nightfall Ancient Chinese numerals variant leans heavily into thematic character by replacing the Arabic numerals with vintage inspired Chinese script. The underlying concept remains identical, but the personality shift is dramatic enough that it genuinely feels like three distinct interpretations of the same core idea.
Movement: Vintage A. Schild Automatic under the Hood
Perhaps the biggest distinction between this and many other microbrand dress watches lies under the hood. The Broadway 35 uses a vintage Swiss A. Schild automatic movement, specifically the AS 5103, which has been serviced and repurposed for this series. It offers a power reserve of around 43 hours and runs at a traditional beat rate, giving you that familiar smooth sweep without going into high beat territory.
The choice of a refurbished AS 5103 rather than a modern off the shelf caliber fits perfectly with Havaan Tuvali’s ethos of resurrecting high quality components from the past. There is something inherently satisfying in knowing that the engine inside your watch has lived one life already (those movements are around since 1972) and has now been given a second starring role with a completely new aesthetic context. It is the mechanical equivalent of a good sequel that actually makes sense.
Servicing a vintage caliber like this obviously demands more effort from the maker than simply dropping in a new movement, and that extra work comes through in the narrative of the watch. You are not just buying specifications, you are buying into a philosophy that values restoration, reuse and the character that comes with slightly more idiosyncratic mechanical hearts.
Wearing Experience, Strap and Variants
On the wrist, the Broadway 35 is pure comfort. The 35 by 37 millimeter footprint makes it an easy fit even on smaller wrists, yet because of the dial’s relatively open design and the dark Nightfall color, it does not disappear visually. This is the kind of watch that slides under a shirt cuff yet still catches the eye when you reach for a coffee or adjust your jacket.
Havaan Tuvali typically delivers Broadway models with both a leather strap and a NOS steel bracelet, staying loyal to the brand’s vintage parts approach. On leather at Micro Praha, the Nightfall Arabic felt refined and slightly dressy, perfect for evenings and smarter settings, whereas I can easily imagine the NOS bracelet pushing the vibe closer to quirky neo vintage. It is that rare scenario where strap choice can almost nudge it from dress watch to everyday companion in seconds (talk about a quick change artist).
The broader Broadway family reinforces this versatility. The Dawnlight Arabic numerals 35 millimeter edition has the same case and movement blueprint but frames it with a brighter dial that feels more classical, almost like a modern reissue of a mid century piece. The Nightfall Ancient Chinese numerals version leans into storytelling and cultural flair, ideal if you want something that immediately sets itself apart in any watch meetup tray. Whichever you choose, the underlying DNA remains consistent – NOS cases from the 70s, vintage Swiss movements and handmade dials.
Why the Broadway 35 Nightfall Arabic is Special
The Broadway 35 Nightfall Arabic sits in a crowded microbrand ecosystem, yet there are some very clear reasons why it deserves serious consideration.
- Vintage NOS foundation: Real 1970s stainless steel cases and refurbished Swiss AS 5103 movements give it an authenticity that many retro styled pieces only mimic visually.
- Compact, true vintage sizing: The 35 millimeter diameter, 37 millimeter lug to lug and 10 millimeter thickness deliver genuinely old school proportions that feel rare in 2026 without compromising comfort.
- Handmade dial character: The Nightfall matte navy surface with Arabic numerals offers a distinctive, quietly dramatic look, while Dawnlight and Ancient Chinese numeral variants expand the aesthetic palette without altering the core architecture
Microbrand maker’s touch: Each watch is assembled and regulated by founder Eric Yeh himself, channeling his background as a watch repairer and his ambition to embody reliability, precision and craftsmanship in every piece.
Compelling value for an independent: With prices around the mid 600 euro range at European retailers for Broadway 35 models, you are getting a handmade microbrand watch with vintage Swiss movement and NOS hardware at a level that still feels accessible for many enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The Havaan Tuvali Broadway 35 Nightfall Arabic is one of those watches that makes much more sense once it is actually on your wrist. The numbers, the NOS story, the vintage movement they all read well on a spec sheet, but it is the cohesive way they come together that really sells it. This is a compact, personality rich dress leaning microbrand piece with genuine vintage substance rather than just surface level nostalgia.
For collectors who enjoy independent watchmakers, who appreciate the romance of resurrected movements and cases, and who are happy to trade modern overengineering for soulful execution, the Broadway 35 is a very tempting proposition at roughly 407 euro. If your collection is currently dominated by larger, contemporary sports pieces, this might be the perfect small but mighty reminder that sometimes the most memorable watch in the watch box is not the biggest one.
Specifications:
Brand – Havaan Tuvali
Model – Broadway 35 Nightfall Arabic Numerals
Case Material – Stainless steel NOS vintage case
Case Dimensions – 35 mm diameter, 37 mm lug to lug, approx. 10 mm thickness
Water Resistance – 30m / 3 bar
Strap – Leather strap and NOS steel bracelet depending on configuration
Crystal – Mineral glass crystal
Movement – A. Schild AS 5103 automatic, serviced vintage Swiss caliber, 43 hour power reserve
Lume – Minimal, dress watch focused
Limited Edition – Produced in small runs, availability fluctuates but not formally numbered
Power Reserve – 43 hours
Price – About €407
Official store link here.
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About Havaan Tuvali Broadway 35: Key Questions Answered
How does the Broadway 35 wear compared to a typical 38 or 40 millimeter watch?
Thanks to the short 37 millimeter lug to lug and slim 10 millimeter thickness, it wears noticeably smaller than a 38 or 40 millimeter piece, closer to genuine mid century dress watches.
Is the 3 bar water resistance a concern for daily wear?
For normal office and city use it is perfectly fine, but this is not a watch to swim or shower with. It is best treated as a dress or casual piece that avoids prolonged water exposure.
How serviceable is the AS 5103 movement today?
A. Schild calibers were widely produced and many parts remain available through independent watchmakers, so an experienced watchmaker should be able to service it without major issues.
