Serket Reef Diver 2.0
Have you ever been watching older episodes of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives? I imply, like actually previous episodes. Properly, I’ve, however most likely as a result of I used to be in search of episodes the place he was sporting this watch. Properly, not precisely this watch, however the unique model of it. The Serket Reef Diver 2.0, is a watch that in its unique kind was launched all the best way again in 2008. A number of issues have modified since 2008, together with this watch, as it is not precisely the identical watch as earlier than. For these not acquainted and if you have not figured it out already, Serket is likely one of the OG microbrands for my part. Began in 2005/6, again when shopping for a microbrand was performed by solely essentially the most hardcore watch fans. I imply, simply give it some thought. That is earlier than the iPhone, earlier than everybody was shopping for every part from Amazon earlier than 3,000 different manufacturers thought they may run a watch model and earlier than most individuals even knew who Man Fieri even was.
Specs:
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Stainless Metal 316L Brushed/Polished
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Diameter 46mm throughout with out crown
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Width from 10 to 4: 47mm
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Width from 8 to 2 together with crown: 51mm
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Lug to Lug: 52mm
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Lug width: 24mm
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Whole Top: 14mm
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6.5mm diameter screw-down crown
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158 grams on rubber
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254 grams on Bracelet
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120 Click on Unidirectional Bezel
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Sapphire Flats
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Anti-Reflective Coating
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Diameter: 34mm
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Sellita SW200-1 Swiss Computerized Motion with Date on the “3”
Worth $599
https://serketwatch.com
Why do I hold mentioning Man Fieri? Properly, he’s a watch nut and he prominently wore the unique Reef Diver for most likely a complete season of DDD. However, there’s extra to this watch than it was worn by some bleached blonde TV present host. On the time when the unique mannequin got here out, in 2008, giant watches, particularly within the microbrand area have been all the fad, as a matter of truth, I simply bear in mind a number of watches being a lot larger than most are actually. However this isn’t only a copy/paste of the unique and is definitely sized down. I do know, saying a 46mm is sized down sounds loopy, however the unique was 47mm however extra importantly, had a a lot bigger lug to lug at 57mm and was thicker at 16.5mm. So, that is nonetheless a big watch, however not as giant because it was as soon as.
Serket light away in 2015, principally as a result of the proprietor Brent simply did not have the time for it anymore. The model has all the time been a facet enterprise for him, as it’s with many microbrands, however in 2020, he had a little bit extra free time on his arms and determined to re-launch the model. Some would say, most likely not the wisest choice, just because occasions have modified and the plethora of microbrands and manufacturing facility manufacturers on the market now could be simply an excessive amount of for many to maintain up with, not to mention purchase. And in 2022, watches have been trending towards smaller sizes, the truth is a lot smaller sizes similar to 40mm, 38mm, and even 36mm. So why convey again a 46mm watch on this crowded market?
My reply is-Why not? The Serket Reef Diver 2.0 may be checked out by some as a watch from an period lengthy forgotten, however I disagree. I evaluate a number of smaller watches as of late and I see a number of feedback about how they want it if it was bigger. Positive, the market appears to be about smaller watches, however that does not imply there is not a spot for giant watches similar to this. Some guys nonetheless like a beefy watch and Serket, together with Bathys and Boschett amongst others have been the very best on the giant microbrand watches, and I really feel their presence has been missed over the previous 5-6 years. Now do not take it as I’m telling anybody what dimension watch to put on, if you happen to do not like huge watches, you do not like huge watches. However for people who do, it’s good to see this model re-emerge and supply a classic-looking microbrand diver.
The massive 2 o’clock crown, the distinctive flat dial indices, and the huge bezel grip, all make the Serket Reef Diver 2.0 stand out. And this actually is not the two.0 anymore for my part, as there have been already 3 completely different variations of this watch, so technically this may be the 4.0, however I assume Serket did not wish to go that route, although I’m not positive why. I by no means held the unique, or perhaps I did at a watch get-together again within the day, I actually cannot bear in mind, however since I actually do not often put on giant watches as of late, I’m glad that is sized down, although actually, I wasn’t positive what my first response to this piece was going to be. I believed it was going to be Garish and I’d hate sporting it. I used to be very unsuitable. However earlier than we get to how this wears, let’s discuss the remainder of the main points.
Two dial colours can be found, this black and there’s a blue, each have the identical orange accents and there’s a third mannequin, one in every of black PVD, however that’s solely accessible with the black dial. It additionally comes with 3 completely different straps, all for $599. Really even cheaper with the 15% off they’re selling on the Serket web site, so it does, at the very least on paper, look to be a unbelievable deal.
I have been sporting this piece as a lot as I can for the previous few weeks, as on the FKM rubber strap, it is extremely snug. The massive dimension has not bothered me in any respect, and it simply actually looks like a watch meant to be worn by me. That mentioned when a watch with a Swiss Motion (Sellita SW-200-1) comes with 3 straps for round $500 in 2022, you realize there are going to be some high quality points. Let me be clear, I believe for what this watch is and provides for the value, it’s nonetheless a fairly whole lot, however issues like poor lume, hour and minute arms that should not have handed high quality management on account of paint clearly lacking on some spots and a bracelet that simply did not should be included, are some issues you must count on.
Total there’s a lot to love concerning the dial, it is fairly easy, and the distinctive diamond or kite markers as I name them, nonetheless stand out amongst the normal circles we see on most watches. The date window is printed in orange, the model title remains to be in a horrible font, and the one factor that actually cheapens the look of the dial. I say this as somebody who’s a fan of this watch, however I nonetheless assume the brand might be significantly better. I’m not alone on this as lots of my watch buddies and colleagues have been texted a pic of this watch when it first arrived, and that was the very first thing they replied back- “What’s up with that emblem?”.
The Reef Diver has a really distinguished bezel, one which reminds you of a Marathon JSAR in the best way it sits off the case, and naturally, this implies it’s going to be simple to grip even you probably have giant arms or gloves. The bezel is just too simple to show although, method too simple, and I present this within the video above. One other factor and this may increasingly sound extremely choosy, however due to the excessive polished areas of the bezel tooth, this factor picks up your finger oils and smudges any time you contact it and it’s sort of laborious to scrub them off with out a journey to the sink and a gentle toothbrush each time.
The crown then again is the spotlight right here. A big crown offset at 2 could not sound like the very best placement, however I guarantee you, it’s. I’m glad Serket stored this signature crown for this new launch and never solely is it’s the 6.5mm crown simple to grip, however it stays out of the best way in your wrist, which means no crown marks after sporting the look ahead to the day. It additionally permits the time or date, or to easily wind the watch to be fairly simple whereas this massive watch is in your wrist.
The case again of the Serket Reef Diver 2.0 reveals off the Sellita motion, and at the very least there’s a cool Scorpion emblem on the rotor, and for people who like to see the motion of a watch, it’s proper there. I’d have most well-liked a strong case again with an embossed or stamped scorpion, and in addition the excessive polished space surrounding the exhibition again is excessive polished, and as you’ll be able to see, can get simply scratched up.
The watch comes with 3 straps, one thing I really feel many manufacturers select to do these days to compete with the Kickstarter scene and the stretch targets the place they provide further straps or bracelets if the funding reaches a sure degree. That is some enjoyable advertising and marketing for the KS crown, I assume some individuals prefer it, however I’ll simply say this, this watch solely wanted the rubber strap. It’s clean, snug, pliable, properly made, and enticing, with a pleasant signed buckle. The leather-based strap is okay, fairly customary, however the bracelet is cheaply made and simply brings the entire package deal down. Some will say, yeah however it’s thrown in, and you might be getting it together with the opposite two, so why complain? As a result of I really feel it truly detracts from the watch as an alternative of provides. The ending isn’t good, the top hyperlinks are laborious to suit and it simply would not belong on this watch.
Like I mentioned although, the rubber strap is unbelievable, and that’s how I’ve been sporting this watch over the previous few weeks. It balances the heavy watch head out completely on my 7 1/2 inch wrist and it’s so snug, I simply by no means know that I’m sporting an enormous previous watch similar to this. I’m within the 4th gap from the underside although, so you probably have a extremely huge wrist, you won’t be capable of put on it on this rubber, leather-based, or bracelet, at the very least not with out a few further hyperlinks.
Flat printed indices do not depart a number of room for the SuperLuminova to be utilized, and as such the lume undoubtedly suffers. That is simply not what I anticipated from a big dive watch similar to this, and no different method to say it however I used to be dissatisfied. It’s going to glow, simply do not count on it to final very lengthy or be very vivid. In 2 hours the lume will probably be just about non-existent, even in a really darkish room.
