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Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Chrono
Like many things these days, watches have become pretty expensive, but luckily, a few brands are making budget models, like this Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Chrono. This model is currently selling for $255, and uses a Seiko VK64 mecaquartz movement, has a screw-down crown, a domed sapphire, a beautiful dial color and texture, and a nice leather strap. Like most watches at this price, not all is perfect, but it is beautiful and functional for an affordable grab-and-go watch.
Specifications
- Case: 316: stainless steel
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Weight: 88 Grams
- Lug width: 20mm
- Thickness: 13.40mm
- Lug to Lug:50mm
- Dial color:ย Navy Blue
- Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal
- Movement: Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement
- Water Resistance: 100m / 300ft
- Straps: Genuine Italian strapย
Current Price $255
https://www.crafterblue.com/products/crafter-blue-bon-voyage-macaron-super-chrono-bvss002-mcrafter-blue-bon-voyage-macaron-super-chrono-bvss002-m
I remember about 15 -20 years ago ( I am quite old now at 44), a $255 watch getting you are pretty rough case finishing and a mineral crystal, and at that time, it was probably quite oversized as well. These days, there are countless options available and while it seems most enthusiasts want an automatic, I have never shied away from quartz, because for the most part, you set it once and off you go, never to worry again until the battery dies. This Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Chonro takes things one step further and adds a chronograph function. ‘
The VK64 Mecaquartz movement isn’t the greatest chronograph though, and that is one of the Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Chrono downfalls. Yes, you can use this like a standard chrono and it works much the same way with start, stop, and reset via the pushers, but there are no running seconds, instead, you have a 24-hour counter and you can only time up to 60 minutes max. Some will argue that is more than enough, especially if you are just doing it for casual things, and you are probably right, but I would take that 24-hour counter and turn it into running seconds. Beyond that, you do get a date function, and the crown does screw down as this watch has 100m of water resistance.
The dial here is a very dark navy blue and has a asphalt texture, or more specifically it looks a lot like those textured painted walls from the 90s. I dig it though, and because the dial is so dark, it doesn’t jump out as tacky. The subdials are paste colored blue and yellow and add a nice pop to the dial, along with the vintage or patina numerals and indices, even the date has a border with this paint. Offsetting the entire dial is the stadium chapter ring.
The case of the Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Chronograph is 42mm, a larger size these days, and is mostly brushed with a large polished chamfer running the entire case to the lugs. These are lyre or curved lugs, much like Vaer, Omega and quite a few others use. The case design isn’t exactly original, but it is attractive and classic, and CB decided to make the case sides all satin brushed, instead of the usual high polished, something I very much appreciate.
With this low price, Crafter Blue could have gone with a plain case back, instead, they decided to do a plane case back. See, what I did there? This is where you should LOL. Now that you have caught your breath, in all seriousness, this etched and dual-finished case back is a nice touch for a watch that is well under $300. I love the attention to detail.
Unfortunately, this attention to detail was not carried over with the bi-directional 12-hour bezel. Well, at least not in my example. I was told by a few owners of this Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Chrono that their bezel was nice and tight and didn’t move unless they wanted it to. In this example, which you can see me demonstrate in the video review above, it is extremely loose. Make sure to check yours over ASAP and if you have a faulty one, get in touch with Crafter Blue. I mistakenly assumed all of them were like this.
So yes, my bezel is loose but what about that lume? Well, you won’t be disappointed, as this budget pilot watch is nicely lumed, and not only does it look good in the dark, it will last 3-4 hours. Weird how some brands can’t do that with watches that have much larger indices and lume plots.
On my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist, I love how this watch wears and fits. It is relatively falt on the wrist, the crowns and pushers don’t dig into the back of my hand, and I know, why is it 42? Why Don? Well, because thats what they made it. Some watches are big, some are small. Find the one you like.
A good part of this Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Chrono being so comfortable is this leather strap. While this is not a Horween leather or custom strap, it is nicer than I thought it would be, very soft and supple and it has a rather thick buckle that isn’t your typical thumbnail buckle. My only complaint would be the size. It’s just about 115 X 75mm and while it fits me, it won’t fit those with a wrist larger than mine. I would say at best 7 3/4 inches (19.69cm) but that may be pushing it).
At $255, you can expect perfection. Not in the watch world anyways. Hell, you really can’t expect it at $1000 either, at least not that I have seen. This Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Chrono is a budget watch yet the brand did their best not to make it look or feel like a budget watch. Sure, I would prefer a better chronograph setup, and I need that bezel to to tight, so better quality control is probably needed, but other than that, this is a nice offering. Is there better out there? Possibly. But for under $300, this is a pretty solid and attractive watch with a fun, vintage vibe.
