Following in the success of the Megalodon 4, Benarus has announced their newest model, the Sea Snake. Benarus seems to have a knack for developing distinct and rather original designs, and the new Sea Snake is no exception. Featuring a 44 x 14 mm stainless steel case with a lug to lug length of only 50mm, the Sea Snake should be completely at home on most wrists and, given its 42 mm bezel, it will likely wear a bit smaller than its 44 mm case size would suggest. This new Benarus three-hander is powered by the reliably ubiquitous ETA 2824-2 and employs a domed sapphire crystal, wide-set 24 mm lugs and a lumed bezel scale to round out its spec sheet.
The Sea Snake is 500m water resistant and can be ordered with either a black or blue bezel and optional orange minute hand (see photos). Benarus is selling the Sea Snake directly through their website for $730 which includes a nicely-matched stainless steel bracelet and a rubber strap. Buyers can option a mesh bracelet ($70) or different rubber strap ($35), should they desire additional OEM mounting options.
We really like the look of the Sea Snake with its wide and lumed bezel, mix of brushed and polished surfaces, and super-legible dial design. At $730 the Sea Snake has a lot of competition from Halios, Helson, Armida, OCEAN7, and many more of the indie brands. It definitely seems as though Benarus has compiled a complete package for the Sea Snake and we cannot wait to get one in for review. What do you think of the new Benarus Sea Snake? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook.
Iris
Somehow I see similarity with the Seiko “Sumo” SBDC001.
James Stacey
Definitely a similar case and lug shape, even given the different proportions.
Pelam
yep – that’s the first thing I saw with the case and shaped lugs. I like the handset though. If given the choice, I would opt for the SUMO
sspc
Love the look of herbs Sumo but the better crystal (sapphire v hardlex), smoother sweeping movement (28,800 bph v 21,600 bph), wider lugs (24mm v 20mm), and wider bracelet (24/20 v 20/18) lifts the Sea Snake above the Sumo and justifies the price difference.
Flash
Yes, I agree totally.
James Hershey
I am impressed with your evaluation comparison between Seiko and Benarus. Your technical evaluatioion swayed my indicision between the two watches and I thank you for it.
I am one who appreciates time pieces and look to my cell phone clock only as a last resort.
Could you recommend any books which would provide me with the information you shared?
Jasmo
I just bought the black one with silver hands and oyster bracelet. I like the elegant and subdued look of this because I can wear it almost every day with any outfit. The design is beautiful, but in subtle ways. The overall case design seems to invoke elements of the sea snake creature. The long, converging lugs key off the wedge – shape of the snake’s nose, while the domed crystal and bezel represent the top of the head. The bezel is actually not flat as it may appear in the photos. It is very slightly dish – shaped, with the outer edge slightly higher, producing an “eyebrow” accent to compliment the domed crystal and appearing to mimic the ridges above the snakes eyes. Even the bracelet has shorter, more rounded links, making it look like the snake’s skin. There are many more details, very subtle, adding to the elegance. Very nice!
Miles_fan
I’m a big Benarus (and Halios) fan, but I’m happy with my Remora and the new Sea Snake doesn’t even give me that itch the way I knew I had to have the Remora after buying a Laguna only months earlier. Just not different enough and what is different is not an improvement in any way over the Remora.
malingerer
The bezel leaves allot to be desired. If it wasn’t that I would jump 🙁
Henry
Very interesting watch, Fifty-fathoms meets Seamaster meets Benarus. Looked at it intently for half an hour when I saw it through Benarus front page while looking for Remora. Caught my eye then, but it’s escaping me now. Not sure why. Technically very sound at 500m, but style is bit everywhere which is not to say it’s not good, but it’s a bit confusing on the first look. Definitely like the orange hand and the look of the fifty-fathoms. Shape of the case is nice, but not sure about it being polished. Sandblasted, that would have been a totally different take from what exists. Minor gripe, a technically sound watch should have a technically sound screwed pins for extra strength and ease of changing straps. Reasonable price for a 500m watch, but I would have preferred a 300m watch with lower price point than the competition.
Flash
Bought the black dial with light orange minute hand.
Perfect size, great bracelet, great lume, beautiful case.
Love the design. Pictures do not do justice.
Quality piece (IMHO). Love mine.
Barry Davidson247
I like the design and it looks very sophisticated even on a black rubber bracelet. My only dissapointment is that it does not have a crown gaurd that protects the crown from knocks and shocks. I thought it was standard for all sports and diver’s watches for the crown to be protected with the case moulding around the crown making it flush with the watch??
Baz
Craithorn
Agree with the lack of crown guard being a big miss. Shame. I like it otherwise.
Jim
blue face for me !!
Automatic Dive Watch
I’m with a couple of folks- I like the blue face.