Saturday, March 30, 2013

HEXA K500 Premier EDITION Review

BACKGROUND HEXA, who are based in Tampa, Florida are a relatively new boutique watch brand whose aim is to build purpose-built mechanical dive watches with original designs that are innovative and utilitarian. Their first model, the K500 takes its name by combining the 'K' in Kraken, the legendary giant sea monster and the �500� of its 500 meter depth rating.



PACKAGING The K500 came suitably packaged in a custom �Hexa� Seahorse waterproof case in tough black plastic. Carefully wrapped up inside was the K500 watch on its link bracelet along with an Italian black rubber divers strap and the K500�s credit card-style warranty card and a small instruction booklet.



AESTHETIC HEXA set out to design a watch that was original in its design and utilitarian in its form � with the K500 they have achieved that goal. Whilst there are some notes of Sinn�s U series watches; the block hands and markers, the 4 o�clock crown position (inverted to 10 o�clock) and the overall simplicity of the design: specifically the dial layout, the K500 is its own thing.

There is an element of quirkiness with the crown and crown guard set up at 10�clock, you could be forgiven for thinking the watch is upside down on occasion. However the main theme is utility and ruggedness, which comes across loud and clear. I chose bead-blasted because for me it is the epitome of utility.




DIAL The matte black dial of the K500 is with rectangular luminous markers and Arabic numerals (12hr only). The numeral letterforms are based on interstate signage, designed to be absorbed at a glance. The dial is clean and simple. Text has been kept to a minimum. The �500M� text is in red � cool! And the date wheel (4 o�clock) is in black � perfect!

HANDS The K500 is fitted with block hands. The hour and minute hands are in grey and the seconds hand is in red with rectangular luminous pointer.



LUME The K500�s uses luminescence by L�m-Tec, who are one of the industry-leaders in luminescence technologies. Luminous material has been applied to the dial markers, hands and the bezel�s 12hr marker. The lume has a very bright glow with a light green hue. I would rate it at very good.



BEZEL The K500 has a 60 click-type unidirectional rotational divers bezel with an elapsed dive-time scale engraved and painted in black (5min increments) and a luminous triangular 12hr marker. The clicks are precise with a good amount of springiness to them. Whilst the bezel has good fit, there is tiny amount of movement � it is well within the acceptable range, though.

The bezel�s grip comprises of 12 widely spaced rectangular teeth. The bezel has a nice height to it making it easy to handle and turn. The bezel teeth by their design are a little sharp on their corners.



CASE The K500�s 316L surgical grade Stainless steel case has a diameter of 44mm x 14.75mm (thick) with lug to lug distance of 51mm and a lug width of 22mm. Features include: triple O-Rings, a screw down signed crown and a Hexa integrated crown-guard. The case has an unusual shape. It is blocky and angular with a slight roundness in the middle. I really like how each of the K500�s components compliment each other; the case, bezel, crown, hands, markers all working well in unison.



CROWN This is where things get a little interesting! The basic crown design is excellent � it�s nice and long with three tracks of teeth making for excellent grip. However it would benefit from a slightly wider girth and because of the way that it is positioned in relation to the top left lug�s underside it is inherently fiddly to operate � that�s without taking into account the topsy-turvy upside down time adjustments! The crown stem is rock solid. In short the crown setup looks cool, but might frustrate those of us who are a little less than nimble fingered!



CASEBACK The K500 is fitted with a solid screwdown Stainless steel case back with double O-Rings. It is engraved with a diagonal striped pattern with the HEXA star motif in its center. The watch�s serial number and some basic spec. is running around the caseback perimeter.

CRYSTAL The K500 is fitted with 3mm thick Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on its inside. The crystal is flat and as such works well with the angular theme of the watch.



WATER-resistance Each K500 watch has been individually pressure tested to ensure reliability at 500M (1,640 ft). As well as this it is also shock resistant and resistant to magnetic fields.



MOVEMENT The K500 is powered by a Japanese made Sii NE15/Seiko 6R15 automatic movement with 21,600 vibrations per hour, 23 jewels and 50 hours of power reserve. The movement hacks � meaning that the second hand stops during time-setting, allowing for precise (to the second) setting of the time. The movement has been adjusted to 6 positions in-house to ensure maximum accuracy (very impressive).



BRACELET The K500 comes on a heavy duty 316L Stainless steel 5 Link bracelet with a ratcheting divers clasp. Whilst brick-link bracelets don�t particularly excite me, in this instance it was a fair choice for the K500. Having said that the K500�s case in particular the chunky bezel design could have easily handled a heftier and more substantial bracelet design. Also included with the K500 was an Italian rubber divers strap with a lovely vanilla scent.



BUILD The K500 watches were assembled and tested in the United States by L�m-Tec. The fit and finish on the watches is excellent. I wouldn�t say that they�re most refined of watches, but certainly everything has been put together nicely. The dial and bezel markings are neat and crisp � all the various components are well fitting.

VALUE The K500 bead-blasted is priced 699USD, which is a more than fair price for the watch.



on the WRIST For a relatively big and clunky watch, the K500 wears pretty well thanks to downwardly angled lugs. The bezel has a lot of height to it, which is quite deceptive because the K500 actually has quite a low profile. HEXA have collaborated with Stone Creek Straps and the Strapsmith to create some lovely custom straps for the K500, which are bound to be a lot more comfortable than the bracelet. Worth checking out!



also CONSIDER It�s hard not to the think of Sinn�s U series watches when you see the K500, so, sure if you�re on a bigger budget and appreciate no nonsense tool watches I would recommended a visit to Sinn. Looks wise the K500 is a uniquely designed watch, so nothing particularly comes to mind, but for similar value for money check out some of the other Boutique brands in my listings.


� OceanicTime

OVERALL / 5 Some of things that I really appreciated about the K500 were: its slightly unusual design, the Seiko automatic movement adjusted to 6 positions, its fantastic luminescence by L�m-Tec, the clearly legible (at a glance) dial, excellent bezel height and action and great fit and finish. The only noticeable area for improvement would be the crown�s size and position � aesthetically it makes for an interesting looking watch, but I found it a little awkward and fiddly.

As mentioned at the beginning of the review, HEXA have achieved what they set out to do with the K500. It is very much a tool watch. You can tell that it was designed from the ground up and by an actual designer, which really seems to shine through. For a debut model, the K500 is a worthy contender. It�s reasonably priced and won�t disappoint!

My thanks to Rocky and Vic!

Read More

Thursday, March 28, 2013

t.a.c.t.i.c.o Type RE

By TLex Some lovely shots of the t.a.c.t.i.c.o Type RE for your perusal . . .
























Read More

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

DEEP BLUE Alpha Marine 500 T-100 AUTO

By TLex Introducing the latest T-100 diver from Deep Blue Watches. The new Alpha Marine 500 T-100 is powered by a Swiss made ETA 2824-2 automatic movement, which can be seen with its custom 'DB' rotor through the watch's exhibition caseback. Its luminous black dial is illuminated with Swiss SuperLumiNova with an additional 28 orange Tritium gas tubes. Its case, which measures 45mm x 16mm x 53mm has a water-resistance of 50atms, 500meters or 1650feet.



Further features include a Sapphire crystal, a screwdown crown and case back and unidirectional rotational divers bezel with a Sapphire inlay with dive-time scale in BGW9 lume. The watch comes on 5mm thick divers bracelet with screw links, full links, removable half links, scissor deploy clasp and a divers wetsuit extension with 4 micro adjustments. MSRP 999USD



Follow the link embbeded in the 'DB' logo below for further details . . .

Read More

BERNHARDT Binnacle RETRO

By TLex Coming soon from BERNHARDT Watches, the Binnacle Retro will come in three dial color options: black w/ orange accents, vintage blue w/ red accents champagne w/ green accents. Its case, which has a water-resistance of 200m measures 41mm in diameter with a lug to lug measurement of 46mm. Features include: a double domed Sapphire crystal and an inner rotational divers bezel.



The watches will be powered by Swiss made ETA 2824 automatic movements. They will be ready this Summer priced 679USD or 559USD pre-sale. It's gonna be a bit on the small side for some, but it's a looker and it's very well priced!

Find out more about Bernhardt HERE . . .
Read More

ROLEX Submariner AQUA HERITAGE by Bamford

By TLex A thing of beauty! The brand new Rolex Submariner with 'Aqua Heritage' dial by BAMFORD Watch Department is a Limited Edition of just 8 pieces . . .

Read More

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

ORIENT M-Force 200m TITANIUM

By TLex ORIENT Watch Co. have released a new version of the M-FORCE 200m in Titanium. The watch, which is due for release this Spring derives from the original M-Force divers model that was first released in 1997. The name M-FORCE stands for 'short for mechanical force' chosen so to signify a tough mechanical watch, which it is!



The new M-FORCE Titanium has an ISO-standard water-resistance of 200 meters, making it suitable for scuba diving. It features a shock absorption system enabled by a special structure. Its 47mm case and bracelet are constructed from Titanium, which is said to weigh half as much as Stainless steel, making it dramatically lighter and more comfortable to wear!



Titanium, which is also highly resistant to corrosion in seawater is particularly well suited for divers watches. The bezel, which is susceptible to external shocks is made from Stainless steel, which has greater scratch resistance than titanium has. So you get the best of both worlds.



SPECIFICATIONS include a Sapphire crystal, a screw-down caseback and crown, a water resistance of 200m, a uni-directional rotational divers bezel and a case diameter of 47mm with a thickness of 13.6mm.



FEATURES include hour and minute hands designed to be easily distinguishable from each other (at a glance) and using luminous material, large clear Arabic numerals at 12 o�clock creating a clean design with higher legibility. The watch is also certificated by ISO 6425 for diver� s watches and has ISO 764 anti-magnetic capabilities as well as being ISO 1413 for shock-resistance.



Finally the movement is a Japanese made ORIENT caliber 4075A self-winding movement with 22 jewels, a hand winding mechanism that is hacking, 21,600/hour vibrations, a daily accuracy of +25 to -15 sec/day, a date indicator (3 o'clock) and a power-reserve of more than 40 hours.



Read up on the M-Force BEAST . . .

Read More

Monday, March 25, 2013

WENGER Seaforce CHRONO

By TLex Introducing the new WENGER Seaforce Chronograph. Its Stainless steel case measures 43mm x 12mm with a lug width 22mm. It is fitted with a Sapphire crystal and it is water-resistant to 200 meters. The watch is powered by a Swiss made quartz Ronda caliber.



Dial options include: black and white, black and orange, black and blue or charcoal grey. The watch is available with a solid steel bracelet or silicone strap with matching stitching. MSRP is 415CHF.



Read More

Sinn Divers RED

By TLex Sinn are now offering a new red silicone divers strap with all their dive watch models . . .














Read More

CLERC Hydroscaph H1 1stLook

By TLex Here's a quick precursory look at an upcoming three hands model from CLERC's new Hydroscaph H1 collection due to be officially unveiled at Basel at the end of next month. The Hysdroscaph H1 is based on the same basic chassis as previous Hydroscaph models. Constructed from high-grade Stainless steel and with over 81 individual case parts. Its dimensions are 43.80 mm / 48mm including the lateral protectors. 

Once again it features CLERC�s exclusive crown-activated rotating bezel and proprietary adaptable lug mechanism. I can�t fully see the bezel�s operating crown, so it could be a little different � I�m assuming it�s the same! The case is fitted with 4.0 mm glare-proofed Sapphire crystal and an exhibition caseback. It has a water-resistance of 500 meters / 50ATM.



The matte dial is with individually machined 3D SuperLuminova applied applique markers. They have been angled in such a way that they give the illusion that the dial is half submerged in water. Very cool! The tuning fork style handset is with an easily distinguishable fluorescent yellow colored minute hand. 


There�s a central sweep seconds hand and scrolling date window at 3 o�clock with a matching fluorescent yellow indicator. People (I included) don�t usually go for this kind of date display on a diver, but in this instance, I quite like it; you get a bit of feeling of a depth meter indicator which suits the watch well.



Under the hood is a CLERC exclusive C609 C.O.S.C Certified Chronometer self-winding movement with 21 jewels, 28�800 vib/h Bridges adorned with C�tes de Gen�ve motif and blue screws 42-hour power reserve. Its functions include: hours, minutes, sweep second and date. The watch is presented on either a vulcanized rubber divers strap or a Louisiana alligator strap with a folding clasp.


This is CLERC's first three hands divers model since the Scuba. It has a simpler dial configuration than those with Chrono and GMT complications, which probably makes for a better 'diver' if we are to go on the premise that dive watch dials should be as clean and uncluttered as possible. It is also likely to have a slightly lower price point than previous Hydroscaph models, too. Good news all round! Stay tuned for more . . .

Read More

Sunday, March 24, 2013

LOTOS 'Deep Ocean' Vs. MAGRETTE Moana Pacific DIVER

By TLex Life imitating art imitating life! The Panerai-esque / inspired MAGRETTE Moana Pacific Diver has itself been cloned (in a manner of speaking)! I had just recently spotted the LOTOS 'Deep Ocean' in Wristwatch Annual 2013, but was unable to track it down online - my German counterpart was more successful than I and so here it is -



It is the exact same (or I'm a monkey's uncle) 44mm Stainless steel watch case with 500m of water-resistance as the Moana Pacific Diver. However instead of the Miyota 8215 it houses a Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic movement. The font used for the Arabic numerals on the dial, of course is different, but even the same black strap with contrasting red stitching - it's a little too close to home! I wonder how much it is?




Read More

Subscribe Via Email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner