I know what you’re thinking already. What is this Rolex lookalike? WTF is a Revelot? Is it like a combination of Revel and Zealot? Well, you would be correct on all fronts, but the sum of these parts is actually greater than simply just another diver’s watch inspired by the most famous diving tool watch on the market today. And before you thumb your nose at me and click away, give this a chance. Skim through quickly if you have to, but I can tell you that I was pretty impressed with what it is on its own merits and why it’s worth it for you to take another look at it.
And before we go any further, this watch was purchased by me, via their kickstarter program, and there has been no sponsorship or funds exchanged. However, I am open to it, as long as Revelot isn’t afraid of us telling it like it is, and of course should this opportunity arise we will disclose and declare it as such.
What we have here is the Revelot Hexmariner, featuring a familiar style, but more angular, giving the watch a bit more definition and personality. Sapphire crystal front and back, with a ceramic bezel insert. The clasp features micro adjustments but the downside is the single folding clasp with spring-loaded pushers to open/close. It is not the most secure option for a dive watch, but having said that I seriously doubt many people are going to be diving with it on the wrist.
It’s called the “Hexmariner” because there are hexagon design themes all over the watch and it’s also a fun play on the word “submariner.” The watch is water resistant to 200m and comes with a screw-in crown. The bracelet is also very stylised with additional angles and chamfering, making it look a lot more upmarket, and the way it reflects the light as you rotate your wrist really gives it a pop. It is also fitted with quick-change spring bars at the lugs, so you can quite easily swap the bracelet to straps without any tools.
The watch is very solid and the quality finishing is way above what you would expect of watches at this price point. Powered by a proven and reliable Seiko workhorse, calibre NH35 beating at 21,600 vph. Accuracy is decent enough, but we all agree that we know what we are getting into. It’s a firm favourite of micro brands as it offers a good balance between reliability and price. Case diameter is 42mm with a lug-to-lug of 48mm, thickness of 13mm, it’s not a small watch by any means but completely wearable, especially when compared to the world’s favourite diving watch.
However, it’s not all champagne and roses as there are a few points we would like to see improved. The clasp is very short, so even though it’s perfectly balanced, it looks very off-centre. This could bother some people. There is a sapphire see-through case back, with a hexagon pattern printed on. Um… the movement’s nothing special to look at so why not just have a solid case back, and this could lower the cost as well as case height. Yes the bezel is in ceramic but the font used for the numbers looked… well.. cheap.
Overall, it’s a great looking watch punching in a weight class it really has no business in, given its recommended retail price of just under $500 for the version we have here (depending on the exchange rate of course). You get a lotta bang for your bucks and when it’s on your wrist, you wouldn’t be concerned about jumping into the water to rescue that damsel in distress. It’s just a good, stress-free everyday alternative, and I do find myself picking it up to wear more than than watches many times its value.
Currently on the website there are still a few options available, including a bronze version and one with a meteorite dial (carved from the very same space rock as the one used by many high end Swiss brands)…
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