As I discussed on the HourTime Show watch podcast, the term “Sea God” for a dive watch brand sits somewhere between clever and obnoxious. The new Italian brand is an enthusiastic yet unabashed jab are Rolex. From the sharp visual resemblance with Rolex’s dive watches to the almost satirical text on the dial of “Superlative Design” – this fashion function line of diver still seems to satisfy.
The name Sea-God evokes an almost deistic quality in the watch (well literally speaking it does). To proclaim a watch as god of the sea is a bold yet empty statement. Even the name of this brand is perhaps an unintended comment on how high-end hyperbole has run amok. The name is so silly we end up taking it seriously. As though it is a very well executed joke. While not the first to do so, the trident as the counterweight on the seconds hand is always a plus on these Sea-God watches with names like BlackStorm, BlackShadow, Black & White, and GMT III.
First of all, “GMT III?” Really. Rolex has the GMT Master II, so “the Sea-God” needs to bump it up to GMT III? At least it isn’t BLACK GMT III. Black seems to be predominant theme in the names, but not in all of the watches. Some of the very high-end colorful precious stone set versions are their nicest. Pricey, but attractive in how they mix sport with baguette-cut stones. Yes, there is a version with black diamonds.
The watch cases are 46mm wide and in steel. The bezels actually are rotatable (even though they looked screwed-in). Water resistance is 300 meters. With all the Deep Sea, Sea Dweller design cues in this design, I wonder why it isn’t able to go deeper? Crystal is sapphire and the bezel has a ceramic insert. I do enjoy how Sea-God alternates colors on the bezel to give it unique looks.
The dials are all attractive. Sea-God did this well, but the proof will be in the final versions. I have yet to see the pieces in the flesh and hope all the materials and finishes on the dial are correct. With a flange ring design from Rolex, Sea-God will need to ensure really high quality to pull this design feature off. If the succeed, we will be rewarded with the availability of some nice stuff.
Inside the three-hand model is a Swiss ETA 2824 automatic. A work horse movement, but nothing special feeling. Probably an ETA 2893 automatic in the GMT model. Though with some nice finishing and adjusting the 2824 makes a solid movement. Now you can have more appreciation of the term “self-winding timekeeper.” Unnecessarily cheesy – but still a fun one-liner on the dial. The cases come with rubber straps. I hope a metal bracelet is in store for the future.
With a lot of options and design choices the Sea-God might be my Rolex homage of choice from what I’ve seen lately. Even assuming a really high level of fit and finish, they are pricey with starting prices of 2,775 – 3,420 Euros. Precious stone set versions are much more. Around there they are close to price overlap with Rolex and other established dive watch brands. That means Sea-God wants to be taken serious – which makes total sense given their accumulated image.