Whether your lifestyle takes you to the azure depths along a Caribbean atoll or on more terrestrial pursuits, a well-crafted dive watch is the perfect companion for almost any situation. With the Mechanic Ocean Mark II, Crafter Blue has created a slim and sophisticated dive watch that’s just as well suited to maritime adventures as it is to breakfast at a seaside café or night on the town.
Crafter Blue may be best known for high-end, custom-fit rubber straps, but the brand has a strong lineup of mechanical dive watches, including retro-styled chronographs and cushion-cased divers. The Mechanic Ocean Mark II sits at the entry point of the brand’s catalog, but it’s far from an entry-level diver, providing 300m of water resistance, a robust movement, stylish vintage-inspired design, and modern construction.
Housed in a 41mm stainless-steel case, the Mechanic Ocean Mark II measures in at a relatively slim 13.5mm — not bad for a dive watch rated to 300m of water resistance. The lines on the case are smooth, and sophisticated, while the 4 o’clock crown speaks to the watch’s ergonomics, allowing the crown to tuck out of the way without digging into the back of your hand. Though the case is primarily brushed, polished highlights provide an elegant touch, especially when paired with the watch’s signature bezel.
The 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel on the Mechanic Ocean Mark II is a standout feature, opting for elegance over utilitarianism, while retaining all the functionality of a serious dive watch. Rather than numeric indices demarcating time across the DLC-coated bezel, the Mechanic Ocean Mark II features a large, luminous blue pip in concert with steel rivets marking each 5-minute interval and full hash marks from 0-15. Easy to grip and turn and quick to read, the bezel is the perfect balance between style and function.
The Mechanic Ocean Mark II is available in two classic dial colors: black and white…with a twist. The black dial is a deep, inky black, but rather than a simple white dial, Crafter Blue opted for a gradient finish, moving from a smokey grey to snowy white at the center of the dial. Whichever dial you choose, each is finished with applied indices filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9, matching hands (finished in black on the white dial version), and a light blue tip on the seconds hand to complement the luminous pip on the dial. Classic and legible — exactly what a dive watch dial should be, yet the applied indices and overall execution make the Mechanic Ocean Mark II move well beyond a utilitarian tool and allow it to become a fitting companion on any outing.
Tucked behind the solid caseback featuring a trident-wielding mermaid beats a Miyota 9015 automatic movement. As solid and time-tested as mechanical movements come, the Japanese movement beats at 28.8kbph and features 42 hours of power reserve along with a date function. It’s a no-nonsense movement built to last.
As expected, given Crafter Blue’s wide selection of rubber straps, the Mechanic Ocean Mark II comes with its own custom FKM rubber strap. In this case, Crafter Blue has taken an innovative approach, crafting a set of custom stainless-steel end links that integrate seamlessly with the case, eliminating the gap between the lugs and the case. Note that the end links are removable for those looking to change up the look of the watch with a different strap. That said, the self-curved rubber strap naturally conforms to the wrist, sitting comfortably and securely in place, making this a strap that’s likely to see plenty of action, whether on land or sea.
The Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean Mark II is available now at a sale price of just $449 USD ($599 full price). To learn more about Crafter Blue and the Mechanic Ocean Mark II, please visit the brand’s website.
