Audaz Seafarer
Audaz is a brand that has been around for a while, since 2016 and the brand itself causes a little controversy, not for any big reasons, but the argument always is, are they a microbrand or not? A popular microbrand watch group on Facebook lists them as not, but I can’t really find any info to refute it, but most do consider it a factory brand. Either way, they are shipped out of Hong Kong and made there as well. This latest model, the Audaz Seafarer is one that I not only really like, but feel is a step up from previous models I have reviewed, both in design and quality. Another pro for this Seafarer is the price, which comes in at $400, but you can save 30% as well, making it a real bargain.
Specifications:
Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet
Case Diameter: 42mm ( Excluding Crown )
Case Length (L2L) : 50mm
Case Height: 14mm
Lug width: 22mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Bezel: Bidirectional Internal turning bezel
Crown: Screw-down.
Water Resistance : 200m / 660ft
Movement: TMI NH35 – Automatic Movement
Weight: 205gm
Price $400 Use Code WR30 for 30% off
https://www.audazwatches.com/collections/seafarer
This Audaz Seafarer is 42mm with a lug to lug of 50mm, meaning this is a very wearable watch. The first few watches I reviewed from this brand were on the larger side, so this was a nice middle ground of size, and as most of you know, I think 42mm is a perfect size, or at the very least my sweet spot. With 50mm lug to lug, it fits my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) perfectly, and the lugs curve down to make it fit even better. Even with the large dual crowns, this is a very comfortable watch on the wrist.
But, you want to know about the dial, the hands, those big crowns, so allow me to backtrack here a bit. This model comes in 6 different colors, one of them a mother of pearl dial, one a fully lumed dial, and of course, this one I am reviewing, this very cool sunray green dial. The outer edge of the dial isn’t really yellow, that’s a strip of lume, but it does give it a green and yellow look, and the second hand is actually yellow, and of course, green and yellow are a good combo and I wish more brands would do dial colors like this. Applied markers and fat hands allow for an easy-to-read dial, and overall, nice simple, and clean dial, especially for one with an internal bezel.
This dial of the Audaz Seafarer isn’t loaded up with text, as a matter of fact, this is a very clean dial, and the inner bi-directional bezel has a great look, is embossed or stamped and the 5 min increments are all lumed, meaning this watch definitely has a lot of lume on it. Both crowns feature what I guess is becoming a signature of Audaz which is the black PVD grips, they aid in the grip and do give the watch a little more ruggedness. Both crowns screw down, but with that, it does make screwing down the inner bezel crown a little tricky without knocking it out of place.
The case of the Audaz Seafarer sits at 14mm thick, this includes the sapphire crystal and the case back, so while it is not a super thin piece, it is not massive like some dive watches and it actually appears smaller than it actually is, and as I said, I find this watch to be very wearable. The case finishing is very good here, with nice crisp lines in the brushing, and the high polished areas, especially on the outer bezel surface really shine, but it will be the first area to get fingerprints and if worn daily, probably be a lot of scratches. It is a well-finished case though, and while I do prefer all brushed finished most of the time, it is obvious that some chamfers and areas of polishing really do make the watch stand out a little more.
The bracelet does look like it was taken right off a Seiko, but that is not really a con in my opinion, as this is not only a great-looking bracelet, it is also very solid, the end links are nice and tight, and it matches up really well with the look of this Audaz Seafar and it is a welcome change over the H-Link or Oyster style bracelets seen on so many other watches. The clasp is premium as well, thick and heavy, and very well made, and it has 6 micro-adjust holes to allow for a perfect fit, though it is missing any sort of dive extension, that seems to be the norm these days on watches like this. Sizing is easy using a pin tool, as these are standard friction pins in the links, and this will fit a large wrist for sure, up to 8 1/2 inches. (21.59cm)
Now one area of the Audaz Seafarer that did make me stop and scratch my head, is the case back. The movement is the reliable SII NH35, and Audaz chose to use an exhibition case back. I have been quite outspoken about my contempt of see-through case backs for movements such as this, ordinary workhorse movements that I don’t find attractive. Well, I guess Audaz thought the NH35 wasn’t very attractive either, so they did an etching of a minnow on the glass, as well as a blue inner ring with all the watch’s info. Not only is it unattractive and the wrong color, but why not just go with a good-looking solid steel case back? It is the one downfall of this piece, fortunately, no one will really see it, but simple is better in most cases, so Audaz, don’t feel the need to overcomplicate things okay?
But let’s end on a positive note, and that would be the lume. It’s bright, it’s all over, and it looks pretty darn cool in the dark, so what more needs to be said. It is well applied, and though it is not the strongest lume I have ever seen, it holds its own, and you should be able to see the time for a good many hours in the dark after a decent charge or a lot of sunlight through the day.
This Audaz Seafarer is one of those watches that is not setting the watch world on fire and we have seen similar designs from many over the years, yet pretty much everything about it (besides the wonky case back etching), is attractive and well-made. It definitely seems like it could be a go-to piece for many, a daily driver if you will, and though I did not try it out on any straps, I am sure it would look good on those as well, maybe even one of those green FKM straps from Crafter Blue or others. Many will probably go black dial or with the full lume model, as those are always very popular, but I have a soft spot for this green and yellow and think it is one of the things that allows it to stand out from others.
WR30 does save you 30% at checkout, or you can get the same amount off if you sign up for their newsletter, but if you are tired of newsletter emails, go ahead and use the code if interested in purchasing this or any Audaz model.
