Aston Espresso: ArX, Spectra, Vestige, Espresso redefined apparently ...

MediumRoastSteam

MWJB - I was going to say yesterday, but I thought I’d spare the speculations…. Now you said it…

I actually did look at Londinium machines to see if they look similar in any way, but it was negative for me.

MWJB

MediumRoastSteam It was actually their somewhat familiar appearance (feet, casings, layout/positioning of spigots/wands etc.) that first made me compare to other products made in Aston.

I'm not saying they have anything to do with Londinium, but it would, make sense for Fracino/Aston to utilise common components.

dfk41

The things I do not get are this:

It comes accross as the finished item but looks like a young kid has designed the website, spending time and money to produce very nice photos but totally glossing over the important stuff. What the hell does this mean?

Providing horological real-time information about the steam pressure levels within SPECTRA and control of the extraction pressure profile operation, at the actual point of extraction, of the lever group, ensuring that every espresso is extracted under optimum conditions for perfection in flavour and consistency.

Real Wood Detailing

By incorporating real wood into key components, the discerning SPECTRA user is rewarded with style that exudes warmth, craftsmanship and sophistication.

Needless to say, I have emailed them. Probably get 4 pages of bollocks back, signed love and kisses

MediumRoastSteam

MWJB - good point. I mainly focused on the group which didn't look anything like it.... And now I look at dfk's picture above and I can see it's almost identical... 🙄

dfk41

Tell me this is not a Fracino Heavenly from above

John_Yossarian

dfk41 Very difficult not to consider it. Very, very similar.

dfk41

AI produces this

John_Yossarian

I found quite strange that they have 1.8 l brew boiler, same as the service boiler.

dfk41

I think they have copied Londinium by getting Fracino to build them for them. The website does not disclose anything to identify where they are. I think the group on the lever is the same shape as a Vectis group.

dfk41

I reached out to them yesterday and had an early reply this morning. They were very guarded in their reply but did say this:

Thanks for your contact. Whilst the Aston Espresso Machines brand is a new concept and in the process of launching fully from a marketing campaign perspective, the website is complete and does give the opportunity to purchase. Simply click the ‘Order’ tab and that will take you through the purchase process. Each machine is hand-built to order and will be completed within a few working days of your confirmation

The website also gives as much detail as we have available on the different models, but I’ve attached brochures for the two lever group models here. Behind the scenes is the manufacturing expertise of a long-established British espresso machine manufacturer, so the quality and precision required to present as a luxury, interior design piece, as well as a highly capable espresso machine, is guaranteed

Showroom display models will be available at locations around the country early in 2026 to enable interested clients to see and use the products - and appreciate the quality and finishes available.

So, it sounds as if a couple of marketing design boys have had an idea and pursed it. I find it interesting that they cannot/will not share any technical details and the claim that they are made to order. The only way that this can be done is if they use on the whole stock Fracino parts, so good luck with that!

I admire anything British so with that in mind I wish them all the best!

Dusk

I know very little about Fracino but is there any reason they couldn't make a good machine, assuming the build quality is good then surely it's about the features you spec

delta76

Dusk they should be fully capable of making good machines. The question is if they want to, and if they do it right.
from what I saw they do it right this time, these Astro machines aimed at the upper mid end/high end home machines, and they look really good. The marketing however, does not seem to be a well planned, coordinated effort. there is not much hype about this from my perspective which will be a big bummer. like it or not, new brand entering the market needs a lot of attention to survive - unless they are something new and novel like, uhm, Meticulous. Even they are good machines and their selling point is "hand made by UK", the market is saturated with good machines from established brands.

delta76

better photos at their fb page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573042240109
while this is very unlikely a scam, they don't even have a physical address, as if they think some good photos are enough for someone want to throw £3k into an unknown brand, without hand on experience

dfk41

I received another email

Thank you for the comments. Fracino do indeed manufacture the components and are the parent company behind the Aston Espresso Machines concept. Each machine is however created in new and individual facilities exclusive to Aston.

The Aston concept brings interior design to the fore and allows the new owner to select their own colours and wood trim, ensuring that each model is unique by combination of these finishes. There are a wide range of suggested options available for immediate purchase – but if any other colour or wood type is available, you can select it for your Aston and we will provide a bespoke quotation for the alternative preference!

By design, you can invest in a beautiful piece of equipment - in a colour combination to match an important aspect of your life; be it a new kitchen, home wine bar or coffee room, your car interior, luxury yacht trim – indeed almost any finish you love. It’s firstly a stunning design piece - but it’s also an excellent espresso machine too, using the highest grade materials and components for a long, reliable and enjoyable user experience!

Each machine is carefully hand-crafted by experienced engineers to the highest standards; the wood trim is finished in-house and every machine tested to exacting standards before being handed over to it’s proud new owner.
After-sales support is also ‘white glove’. Should you experience any issues at all, or simply want your Aston Espresso Machine to enjoy a routine service programme, the Aston client support team will send you a bespoke flight case via our courier service, into which you simply place your Aston Espresso Machine. We then collect the flight case and return it to our service centre for attention. Your Aston Espresso Machine will then be returned to you promptly once it’s returned to it’s full working order again. It’s all part of the service.

Every Aston owner is individual to us – and their Aston is individual to them.

We look forward to welcoming you to the experience of being the proud owner of a sumptuous Aston Espresso Machine

Adrianmsmith

dfk41 Thank you for the comments. Fracino do indeed manufacture the components and are the parent company

We need to start and call you Detective David 🤓

Its an interesting concept then, but……

jrling

dfk41 To me as a 'Petrol Head', their marketing "British Craftsmanship", colour to customer selection, white glove flight cases etc. is IMHO suggesting the qualities of their machines are reflective of the famous British luxury hand made car manufacturer Aston Martin founded in 1913 - usually referred to by owners as an 'Aston'.

Raja123

Adrianmsmith

“……but…..I don’t want something too sumptuous, because I’ll be adding milk.”

On a more serious note, I have a couple of trustworthy friends that have had a Vectis each for a while, alongside a Decent and LM. One of them sold his Decent and only uses the Vectis for espresso now. The other has a Compressa, CT2, and the LM, and favours the Vectis for light and medium roasts.

Until there’s something tangible from people I trust, I remain open minded about Aston. It’s nice to have more options, especially those that are more local.

Adrianmsmith

Raja123 “……but…..I don’t want something too sumptuous, because I’ll be adding milk

😭😭

Acs spec seems far superior for my needs,

Adrianmsmith

jrling

Sage do a white glove service if you buy a sage dual boiler 🤓🤔 i know, because i was there!!

Spec on the aston levers doesn't inspire . not enough cylinder volume for one. Far too little "other information" to see what its otherwise offering.

Nouveau Espresso machine maybe🤓

dfk41

I think, reading between the lines, that an idea has been formed and not thought through. It is one thing to plan on paper and another to execute. If indeed they have a completely new building for manufacture then that is brilliant. But the lack of detail is worrying. Someone shelling out 3k on a new lever will want to know how many boilers, size of boilers, how is temperature controlled…the list of questions are endless. Yet the emphasis seems to be on wood accents and a choice of machine colour.

Fracino is the parent company…..what does that mean? The lever machine is very pleasant to the eye and the group looks nice, but what is it from? It looks very like the latest Vectis group. The lever body looks very similar to the body of a Fracino Heavenly. There is nothing wrong with that of course. I like the sculpted design, or did 20 years ago when I owned one.

Bearing in mind I was contacted by the marketing division, this line worries me

The website also gives as much detail as we have available on the different models,

Why? Do they not understand what they are selling, or indeed marketing. This might be why the emphasis is on shiny and not detail. Fracino are a solid brand favoured as workhorses in the basic coffee trailer and cafe end but hardly synonymous with bespoke quality (and I am not knocking them here). They were the firm chosen to partner by building for Londinium.

The plans that have been outlined seem very grand with the white gloves and servicing idea. I wish them all the best!

delta76

dfk41

Yet the emphasis seems to be on wood accents and a choice of machine colour.

Yes it seems to aim at people who can throw 3k because it looks nice, almost like a decorative item

They were the firm chosen to partner by building for Londinium.

and Dave was very critical about Londinium for their cheaply built, premium price

I think we can all agree this is led by someone with marketing background than engineering background. There is strong vibe of form over function, look details over technical details here

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