Steinhart Comex Fingers-On Watch Assessment

Steinhart ComeX

I’m certain you might be all conversant in the Ocean One, probably the most standard microbrand watches in existence, and if that’s the case, you may additionally concentrate on the Steinhart ComeX Ocean One, a particular version initially performed in 20092010, and now being Unique to Olko Watches, a vendor in Germany. Now I don’t precisely have all of the info so far as if these are NOS dials or being reprinted for these newest variations, however I’ve concluded they’re defintily primarily based on the newest Ocean One fashions with the ComeX dial and a domed sapphire crystal. Priced at about $535, this particular version is lots of look ahead to the cash, and naturally slightly quirky with the Ocean textual content with the white background, which mimics Rolex ComeX watches of the previous.

Specs:

• Unique to Olko Watches
• 42mm Stainless Metal Case and Bracelet
• 22mm Lug Width 
• 50.5mm Lug to Lug
• 13mm Thick
• 212 Grams
• Aluminum Bezel Insert
• Domed Sapphire Crystal 
• ETA 2824 Elaboré Motion
• 300 Meters Water Resistant
• 22/18mm Stainless Bracelet
• Nation of Origin-Switzerland

Transformed Priced $535 USD

https://www.olko-watches.com/collections/uhren/products/ocean-1-vintage-comex

So, this watch takes the usual Ocean One, provides a domed sapphire crystal and naturally, the Ocean textual content on the dial will get the white rectangle therapy. Why? Nicely, for these not acquainted, that is an homage to the well-known Rolex Sea Dweller ComeX version, made for the ComeX French Diving firm. Now, a model of this watch got here out again in 2010 (give or take a yr or so) however just lately, Steinhart began making unique variations for Olko Watches, a certified Steinhart vendor in Germany. The remainder of this watch, with the knowledge I used to be given and will discover, is mainly a regular Steinhart Ocean One as they’re at the moment made.

Rolex Comex-Pic from Chrono24

So why is that this a factor in any respect? I’ve heard some folks ask this and I’ve heard some feedback saying why would one pay a premium for this over a regular Ocean One (Which is about $130 cheaper)? Nicely, as a result of it appears like a really spefic and extremely uncommon Rolex Sea Dweller, that’s now not made. Steinhart has made their firm on the Ocean One fashions, which they’ve made and nonetheless do make numerous variations, most which might be direct homages to Rolex. So the Steinhart ComeX Ocean One appeared like a very good one to do, and so they did in reality do that properly over a decade in the past. I’m not certain how lengthy Olko has been promoting the newest model of the ComeX, however I need to say perhaps 2 years or so, however now that it’s accessible once more, it’s a scorching ticket merchandise, and lets be trustworthy, its mainly due to that dial.

Is it well worth the premium? Solely shoppers can determine that, and everybody has a differing opinion, however I might say so, solely as a result of the standard Ocean One simply doesn’t do it for me, particularly nowadays with the newest variations having the date and cyclops. Now I’m absolutely conscious it’s form of foolish once I step again and go, they took the ocean textual content and simply made the background white, in that one little spot. This can be a no date dial as properly (not a no date motion although), and naturally the domed sapphire, which is out there on different Steinhart watches and Ocean Ones, however that little element makes this watch stand out to me, and I’ve simply all the time had a factor for it. In any other case, it is a common Ocean One, with the identical printed markers, the identical Mercedes palms, the identical case, bezel, crown, and bracelet.

However just like the title of the video evaluation, typically it’s the little issues that make the distinction and not less than for me, on this case, these two little particulars of the Steinhart ComeX Ocean One, have all the time made this a fascinating model for me. Rolex homages are throughout, by Steinhart and plenty of others, and past the Rolex itself, there are Seiko’s which have been modded to seem like the ComeX and some others, however this simply stands out to me, and due to that, its particular. Fortunatley it’s a Steinhart, so it’s additionally a really stable look ahead to the worth. Every thing else on this watch is simply a regular Ocean One, however that’s not a foul factor.

Strong finish hyperlinks, stable bracelet, commonplace clasp, 300 meters water resistance, a brushed and polished case and naturally the ETA 2824 Elaboré motion, all for round $500 with this ComeX version are rattling good specs for a watch at this worth. Steinhart has been producing these for therefore lengthy, so in fact they’ve shopping for energy but it surely does nonetheless make me ponder at instances how they can produce watches like this for a lot lower than everybody else. The ending just isn’t going to make you consider Rolex, however the brushing and excessive sharpening that’s performed right here just isn’t $150 Aliexpress degree both, removed from it, and the entire watch is easy to the contact with no tough machining edges both. After which we’ve that bezel.

Sure, the bottle cap type bezel, which not solely appears nice however is simply really easy to grip and switch, and the 120 click on ratcheting system works flawlessly, and never solely will it keep in place the place you set it, however like many people desk divers is enjoyable to play with as properly. This one within the Steinhart ComeX Ocean One is aluminum, one thing I do know many balk at and yearn for a ceramic bezel insert, like many manufacturers are utilizing nowadays. And Steinhart makes lots of fashions with ceramic bezels, so one would assume with the premium worth, ceramic would have been good to include right here. I personally like that it’s aluminum, as this homages a classic Rolex mannequin, and ceramic, to me not less than, simply wouldn’t look proper. In contrast to many although, I’m not an enormous fan of ceramic bezel inserts, nor sapphire, as I simply really feel the aluminum appears higher, despite the fact that it doesn’t have the scratch resistant properties.

In contrast to lots of Rolex homages, Steinhart has saved the Ocean One at 42mm for a very long time. Lately, they do have 39mm fashions and there’s a Steinhart ComeX Ocean One in 39mm, with patina lume, although that appears to be bought out in the intervening time. However many Rolex homages are 40mm, however not this one. And for somebody like me with a 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist, 42mm is a really welcome dimension and although I can put on some 40mm, and even 39mm relying how they’re formed (just like the Marin Instruments Standard Diver), I nonetheless desire a 42mm watch. This suits my wrist completely and appears good, not too small, not too giant. The Goldilocks. And sizing is a breeze with screw hyperlinks, although like all the time, be sure to use some form of thread locker when placing these screws again in, in order that they don’t loosen over time.

So sure, the Steinhart ComeX Ocean One just isn’t a lot totally different from the usual model, and the largest change is definitely very small. However simply that one change, that white background on the mannequin identify makes all of the distinction for me. The remainder of the watch, as many know may be very properly made and Steinhart appears to nonetheless be as standard as ever, and even thought this instructions a premium, I nonetheless assume it’s value it. For somebody like me, it’s not precisely that I all the time needed an precise ComeX, I identical to how this watch appears and naturally the affordability of Steinhart actually helps. For those who all the time needed the precise Sea Dweller and may’t afford it, it is a nice finances possibility, and for those who identical to one thing slightly totally different, I believe this suits the invoice as properly. Oh, and as you’ll be able to see under, it appears nice in the dead of night additionally.

You’ll be able to see extra at Olko Watches, the unique vendor of this Comex Ocean One.

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