X marks the sport, or third time’s a charm – either is a good way of discussing the new Kazimon Drei watch. A unique and highly functional chronograph that has so much to like, with out so much of a price. “Drei” in German means “three.” This is not Kazimon’s third watch, but the idea refers to the three subdials present on the dial. The standard for all 12 hour chronograph watches. I like that the watch is an interesting mix between retro and modern style cues. Let’s look at the retro cues first.

Look at the sapphire crystal, and you’ll see that it is meant to emulate the raised and rounded look of an acrylic crystal, but it is in fact sapphire. You then have the chronograph pushers that are just like those seen on models from the 1940’s – though very useful still. There is also the size of the watch that is 41mm wide. This might actually seem quite medium by today’s standards, but is a good size for those many people who rightfully worry about watches that are too big looking on their wrist.

The Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 movement inside makes the watch 17mm high which makes it feel tall in comparison to the width. The Drei will be a little diving chronograph tower on your wrist. Still, the lugs are properly curved down, so it is not awkward feeling on your wrist. There is also the interesting 20mm wide bracelet. It reminds me of those new Air Race metal with portholes bracelets that Breitling has. These are actually also retro inspired. Probably something that will take a little bit of time to get used to looking at, but pretty cool overall. You can see that the ends of the bracelet still use links (with screw pins), to that you can properly size the bracelet, which uses a butterfly clasp to close.

Modern elements of the watch are many. First is the all titanium case and bracelet construction, which should make the watch quite light. While you can’t see it via the caseback, the movement inside is decorated with Cotes de Geneve polishing and blue screws. Not necessarily modern, but glad that Kazimon care about what is inside of the watch, even if you can’t see it.

Then there is the dial that is all modern in design. Black, white, and red make up the color scheme. In the center you see the special Kazimon “X” logo, that look cool, but doesn’t at all interfere with reading the watch. While the timepiece is a diver style watch for the most part, you have a tachymeter scale on the bezel, as well as aviator style hands. Highly angular hour markers as well as subsidiary hands are very modern in style, and I love the look of the subsidiary seconds dial that is a cute quasi-miniaturization of the main dial (save for the 12 o’clock indicator). Kazimon was good to have the date dial be black with white numerals. I hate it when companies go all out to have a nicely design watches, and then you see that stark white dial disc sticking out like a sore thumb when you have a dark dial. It doesn’t always look bad, but really shows a lack of detailed design. Here, Kazimon ensure a nice cohesive design effort that came out pretty well.

While it is hard to categories the Kazimon Drei watch, it is easy to simple say that it is a nicely unique timepiece. With 100 meters of water resistance, it is good enough for most activities aside from deep diving. I imagine that the addition of screw down chronograph pushers would easily make this a bona fide dive chronograph watch. Best of all is the very reasonable price, that is actually lower than what I would have guess (usually it is the other way around with watch companies). Price is just $1,790 when it is available soon.