I really like this dial. It’s clean, legible, and interesting with its use of depth, different materials, and especially the lumed ring at its perimeter. My only slight issue is the lack of hash marks to indicate the minutes. This can make it a little bit harder to set perfectly, if you’re someone who has to set the watch just perfectly, and some of you are. Those who are used to the lack of minute marks a la Panerai will be unfazed. While it keeps the dial uncluttered, which is a good thing, it might bother some.

So, if you’re an on-the-go travel type and in need of an extreme deep diving tool watch, it’s hard to beat the Zelos, or so the logic must have gone. In any (bronze) case, it’s an interesting addition and adds some value. The bronze hands are the now standard Zelos style, and also feature a heaping helping of SuperLuminova to match the lume-hungry theme.

The liberal use of lume on the Abyss II is a strong point, and the watch lights up at night like no other watch I’ve owned. It’s bright, applied generously all around, and lasts all night. Between the bezel, lumed ring on the dial, hour markers, hands, and crowns, the Abyss II is a light show which acts as a nod to the many deep ocean going creatures the watch is capable of visiting, even if the wearer isn’t.

Another big change from the previous edition of the Abyss is the inclusion of the Sellita SW200 movement, which many would consider an upgrade from the predecessor’s also highly capable Miyota 24-jewel automatic. While enough virtual ink has been spent on the capabilities and specifications of the SW200, a virtual clone of the near ubiquitous ETA 2824-2, suffice to say the 26-jewel, 38-hour power reserve SW200 is the right tool for the job being a trustworthy and accurate time teller for a tool watch like this one.

For many, the Swiss movement will also increase the value of the watch, moving the Abyss II into a slightly different space and price point. I know people are happy to have the Swiss movement, but speaking now as a diver instead of a watch guy, if it tells time, works reliably, and doesn’t need fixing very often, it’s a fine movement. Even with the “upgraded” movement, the Zelos Abyss II is still very reasonably priced at around a grand US, especially given the tech.

Of course, a watch is only any good if you can wear it comfortably, and that does present a challenge given the aforementioned tank-like nature of the Abyss II. Luckily, another thing Zelos does really well is straps. Included with the watch is a quality leather watch roll, Zelos-signed spring bar tool, and two straps, one in vintage-style canvas and another in Isofrane-esque rubber. You get one very cool bronze buckle, skeletonized on the sides and signed on top, to use between the two straps.

Starting with the rubber strap, you need to know it’s not natural rubber, at least I don’t think it is. It feels a lot like Seiko’s former rubber compound from back before they violated all that is good and holy and went to silicone (I still love all that is Seiko). As many of you will know, that means it’s a bit stiff at first, but does form a nice curve after being worn for some time. You could probably also boil it to give it some shape. The rubber is short enough to work on my child-like wrist, and also probably long enough to fit over a wetsuit as long as your wrist isn’t huge to begin with. The square holes make it breathe, and the rubber is an overall strong effort rather than just something that was thrown in.

If you’re probably never going to actually take the watch diving, and many won’t, the vintage olive green canvas strap with leather keepers is probably more your speed. It’s softer and more pliable than the rubber when it’s broken in, and shorter to boot. That means less dreaded strap tail hanging out when worn by someone like me, and I like that. Being a smaller guy who enjoys larger watches can often land you in strap tail purgatory, so cheers to Zelos for a slightly shorter strap choice. Most of all, it’s nice to have options, and including a couple of straps and accessories like the watch roll shows that Zelos know their audience, fickle watch nerds who will change straps as they change moods.

Viewed together, the Zelos Abyss II was a bit of a challenge for me at first. This is a huge, heavy watch with a lot going on visually that makes it different from most people’s watches. It took some commitment on my part to grab this watch from my watch box over smaller, less imposing choices. It’s different. It’s bronze. It’s noticeable from a distance, especially on a smaller wrist. But, wearing this thing, especially when the patina has started, you feel 100% ready to tackle the ocean’s mysterious depths. This is a watch for Captain Nemo, suited for wear on the wrist of the Rouquayrol equipped diving suit from his Nautilus submersible, built to take on anything the ocean can dish out, and cased in a material with literal ages of nautical heritage.

Zelos have done it again with the Abyss II, adding value to one of their core offerings with a Swiss movement and a second time zone function, while adding design elements to really make the watch fit into the brand as a whole. The brand is developing a design language which makes a Zelos watch instantly recognizable compared to other brands, which is no small feat especially for a maker of Zelos’ relatively diminutive size. The Zelos Abyss II retails for a very reasonable-considering-what-you-get $949, an unheard of price for a Swiss automatic powered watch with a watch roll, extra strap, and 3,000 meters of totally unnecessary yet cool water resistance. If you’re on the fence, take the proverbial plunge. The Zelos Abyss II is exactly the kind of watch we need to see from micro brands, something to challenge what a diver’s watch or a watch in general should look like, feel like, and do. Learn more at zeloswatches.com

Necessary Data
>Brand: Zelos
>Model: Abyss 2
>Price: $949 USD
>Size: 43mm wide, 19mm thick, 51.5mm lug to lug
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Diving watch fan not afraid of a hefty bronze chunk with attention getting styling.
>Best characteristic of watch: The dial is three dimensional, well executed, and interesting with lume all over the place.
>Worst characteristic of watch: I do wish the dial had minute markings to make for easier setting and time telling.