Zelos is back at it, releasing yet another striking and exceptionally well-priced diver with the Hammerhead V3. They say the third time’s a charm, but given that V1 and V2 of the Hammerhead were instant hits, this third iteration already has charm in spades. While some of the other divers in Zelos’ lineup capture a vintage aesthetic with a modern twist, the Hammerhead is unapologetically and aggressively modern. Its large size, angular lines of the case and bracelet, and striking colorways make this a watch that stands out in a crowded dive watch market. Add outstanding specs and excellent finishing, and the Zelos Hammerhead 3 offers unparalleled value.
Continuing the tradition of naming its popular dive watch models after sharks, the Hammerhead pays tribute to the unmistakable and distinctive hammerhead sharks. There are actually eight hammerhead species in the Sphyrnidae family distributed across warm waters and coastlines across the globe, but the one thing they all have in common is flattened and laterally extended hammer-shaped heads. A fitting appellation for Zelos’s newest dive watch, as the Hammerhead V3 is defined by its sharp lines, blocky shape, and aggressive aesthetic.
Housed in a 44mm stainless steel case, the Hammerhead V3 utilizes sharp angles, well-placed curves, and contrasting finishes to create a one-of-a-kind case shape that will catch the light in surprising and unexpected ways. Despite the chunky appearance and 300m depth rating, the watch measures in at 13mm-thick with a 48mm lug width, meaning that it will wear comfortably on a wide range of wrists. That comfort is only enhanced by the signed (and lumed) crown at 4 o’clock. Topping off the case is a double-domed sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating.
Complementing the angular case is a 22mm stainless steel bracelet. Utilizing a traditional three-link design, the Hammerhead V3 eschews the typical smooth finish in favor of sharp angles on each link—a perfect match to the lines of the case. At this price point, you might expect a simple, stamped clasp, but Zelos goes above and beyond with a milled push-button release clasp with tool-free quick-adjust. The clasp may seem like a small detail, but it shows how Zelos pay close attention to details often lacking in watches an order of magnitude more expensive.
Staying true to Zelos’ tradition of offering watches in a wide array of bold and striking colors and textures, the Hammerhead V3 comes in six primary colorways (vintage black, teal, frost, emerald green, crimson red, and burnt orange), as well as mother of pearl and blue meteorite. Each model includes a ceramic or stainless steel bezel (depending on the model) with colors and accents complementing the dial. Whether your tastes run more toward the vintage styling of the vintage black and burnt orange or the modern aesthetic of the frost dial, Zelos has something for every taste.
For anyone who values nighttime legibility, the Zelos Hammerhead V3 shines in the lume department. For most models, Zelos combines Super-LumiNova C3 X1 and BGW9 lume for a striking combination of long-lasting green and blue lume. That lume is not just limited to the hands and markers but runs along the minute track and bezel. But for the true lume freaks out there, the frost colorway features a fully lumed BGW9 dial with stealth black lumed hands and indices.
Powering the Hammerhead V3 is the Seiko NH35 automatic movement with a color-matched date wheel (once again, the brand gets the little details right). By using the Seiko NH35, Zelos manages to keep the price of the watch affordable while offering a robust movement that beats at 21.6kbph, features hacking seconds, hand-winding, and a 41-hour power reserve. In other words, it’s everything you need in a reliable movement.
If you’re judging a watch on a spec to dollar ratio, alone, the Zelos Hammerhead V3 is hard to beat, but what sets the Hammerhead 3 apart is Zelos’s unique and distinctive design language and quality of execution. You won’t mistake the Hammerhead V3 for anything else on the market, and the wide range of dial options means there’s a colorway to match every taste. The Zelos Hammerhead V3 starts at $349 USD — more information can be found on the brand’s website.
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