Audaz Octomarine Diver If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive dive watch, or even as some would call it, a bargain, the Audaz Octomarine Diver might be a watch to look at. Believe it or not, it is hard to even for me to keep up with all the watch brands out there these days. It seems like every day I find a new brand on social media, or through an email from them directly. Now, this is go...
Venturo Watches Field #2 If you are a fan of microbrands, than chances are you are familiar with Gruppo Gamma. The Venturo Field #2, is the latest from the Gruppo Gamma sister brand, and is their second field style watch but also their second watch to date. The idea behind Venturo is to try and offer some different style watches than what Gruppo Gamma has offered in the past and also produce a qua...
Blacklist Divematic The Blacklist Divematic is the latest release from Blacklist Watches, the US-based microbrand. Dive watches are undoubtedly the most popular style of watches in the market today. From Rolex to Blancpain and to almost every new microband that turns the corner, it makes sense to have a dive watch or multiple in your lineup. Enter Blacklist, who have now added their version of a d...
The Nordgreen Award-Winning Pioneer Chronograph Marries Sophistication with Sustainability Nordgreen is a boutique watchmaker that has been increasingly coming to the attention of watch aficionados over the last year. Built on sustainable, the Danish company’s men’s Pioneer chronograph is leading a bold new era of environmentally conscious watchmaking. Moreover, Nordgreen combines its ...
Farr and Swit Seaplane Have you been longing for a watch that is a combination dive watch and Flieger? One that has the looks and feel of a solid diver, but also has distinct elements of a pilot watch? If so, the Farr and Swit Seaplane may check a lot of boxes for you. Farr and Swit are based in the United States, (Chicago to be exact) and the Seaplane is assembled by a very popular microbrand you...
Ventus NorthStar Many watch enthusiasts feel that microbrand watches should be inexpensive. Inexpensive can be subjective as well, but I have seen it many times when a microbrand releases a new model and it is over $1,000, there is a lot of yelling about the price. Zelos watches, who is the sister brand to Ventus has dealt with this themselves recently. The Ventus Northstar and other Ventus models...
Formex Essence The Formex Essence has been making a big splash in the watch community and it is easy to see why. Available with a COSC or standard Swiss Movement in all variations, the one we are looking at today is the Degrade or gradient dial. All versions look great but the COSC version is the big deal here, especially at a price of well under $1,500. Yes, a COSC certified watch for $1,265. Not...
Tockr Air Defender I have a soft spot for German style inspired watches, so when I saw the Tockr Air Defender, I needed to check it out. I will get into the inspiration for this watch later on, but I wanted to talk a little bit about how this company came about. I have had a few conversations with Austin Ivey, part owner of Tockr Watches and he did something that is rarely seen these days in the w...
Scurfa Diver One 2.0 The dive watch. We all love them. Well, at least I do. What is better than a really well built, classic looking dive watch? An affordable one. Yes, the Scurfa Diver One 2.0 is using a quartz movement, but it is also $234 shipped and it has all the bells and whistles we look for, including a custom made rubber strap. An evolution to the Rolex Comex divers, and an evolution to i...
Spinnaker Fleuss Spinnaker has released two new diver watches into their ever growing model lineup and sent me two variations. The case on all Spinnaker Fleuss models is the same across the board, but as you can see, these two have different bezels, dials and crown. Both are vintage style divers, most notably taking inspiration from the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Other colors of each are available a...
CT Scuderia Coda Corta I am sure this has happened to many of you; you see a watch online, you look at some photos, and you say, I like that watch. You like it so much, you order it, only to get it in hand and not like it so much. Well, in a similar way, that has happened to me. I was asked by CT Scuderia if I would like to do a review and given a choice of models. I looked a few, and picked this ...