Epos 3504 Titanium PVD
The Epos 3504 Titanium PVD (official name- Epos 3504 Diver COSC LE) is the latest 500m diver from the Swiss watch brand. Late last year Epos introduced an all-new titanium collection of the Epos 3504, with an all-titanium case, a few different dial colors, and a choice of a bracelet, a nato strap, or a fitted rubber. All of the titanium watches come with a Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, but this limited edition gets an upgrade to COSC. This black beauty also gets draped in black PVD all over, a special wood presentation box, and along with the bracelet, a black and white nato strap with PVD hardware. The price is $2,722 and includes customs fees and taxes, if you are in North America you’ll have to order directly from Epos, so it’s nice they take care of those extra costs.
Specifications
41.5mm Titanium PVD Case
13.3mm Thick
22mm Lug Width
50mm Lug to Lug
132 Grams in Weight
Sapphire Crystal
Ceramic Bezel Insert
500m Water Resistant
Helium Release Valve
COSC SW200-1 Movement
Made in Switzerland
Price $2722
https://epos.ch/en/product/3504-138-85-35-95/
This all-new titanium 3504 is pretty much just another variation of the 3504 diver series, but that’s not a bad thing as this lineup watch does have a lot to offer in terms of looks, size (41.5mm), and beautiful finishing all over. The titanium models get a new dial, and of course, are going to be much lighter in weight than their steel counterparts. This all-black PVD limited edition gets an inky black dial, almost an enamel dial which is very striking, the Arabic numerals and the movement is now COSC, but it is still the SW200 movement.
The dial of the Epos 3504 Titanium PVD is a very inky black lacquered dial, which has a mirror-like reflection to it, and it really works here with that glossy ceramic bezel insert and the white numbers for a beautiful contrast. The Arabic numerals give this edition a sportier look over the slim indices from the steel model, and the date magnifyer cyclops is still here as well (unfortunately).
The bezel is still a 120-click unidirectional bezel with a fantastic feel to it, very crisp, and very firm yet still easy to rotate and put into place. Epos also retained that giant crown, and when I say giant, we are talking 8mm, and though that may not seem large compared to some watches on the market, when compared to the watch that it takes heavy inspiration from, it is, in fact, one giant crown. Of course, it is a screw-down crown, with quite a thick crown stem and it all screws in smoothly to help keep that water resistance of 500m.
I was hoping for a new case finish, but the Epos 3504 titanium PVD has the same finish as the steel model-satin brushed finishing on top and polished case sides. This follows into the bracelet with polished center links and sides and brushed outer links. Now there is nothing really wrong with this finishing and it is seen on many watches but I wish they had done more of a rugged finish on this piece, and all brushed or blasted finish would have looked fantastic in my opinion. And if you are in the 0.1% of the population that does saturation diving for a living, well you have that helium release valve to help you ascend to the top at the end of your decompression. Well, the valve won’t actually help you physically, but it will keep your watch from blowing its crystal as the gases are slowly released.
Something I do need to point out is that Epos has listed this Epos 3504 Titanium PVD, as well as PVD. At this price point, we would expect a DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating, hell at $1000 you would expect it as well. Things can be confusing though and some brands just call it a PVD even if it has a DLC treatment, as it is still applied via the PVD process. I can’t imagine, with DLC still being touted as the best coating that can be applied to a watch, that at nearly $3,000, Epos went with a standard PVD. All that said, when going over the whole watch I found the coating to be even and perfectly applied all over, including in between all the bracelet links and even on the case back and quick-release bracelet pins.
On my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist, this Epos 3504 Titanium PVD diver not only looks great but feels great as well. I loved the look of the steel version, and the size of 41.5mm along with that big crown allows this watch to have presence without it being overbearing and yet I doubt anyone would call this watch small, especially if they were able to see it in person and try it on.
The bracelet uses pretty large screws to hold the links together, and there are half links here and the clasp does have more of an old-school flip-out dive extension. I said the steel version felt like a chunk on the wrist (though well balanced) at 203 grams, but at 132 grams, 70 grams less in weight, this titanium watch will be light on the wrist without feeling too light. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but this doesn’t have that light-as-a-feather feel to it, it still feels like a solid timepiece.
Of course, Epos does a pretty good job with the lume and this 3504 Titanium PVD doesn’t disappoint and uses a pretty good amount of BGW9 SuperlumiNova on the hands and applied Arabic numerals and as you can see, looks pretty good in the dark. Expect it to last for about 5 hours before completely fading out.
