Value Proposition – Second Hour Giant Stride Dive Watch (Review, Price)

In terms of microbrands, usually launched by Kickstarter or every other crowdfunding platform, it’s at all times a query of how lengthy a model might be round. We’ve seen it occur all too usually that after an preliminary profitable launch, a second one by no means involves fruition. It’s maybe much more difficult to persuade folks to again you as soon as extra and repeat the success of the primary time round. And there comes a cut-off date a model is probably going higher off standing by itself two ft, as an alternative of counting on crowdfunding. One such instance is Second Hour, launching its third assortment with out exterior backers and that includes a Swiss-made motion. We’ve had the prospect to go hands-on with a late-stage prototype of the Second Hour Watches Large Stride.

Second Hour has not but been featured on MONOCHROME, for the easy purpose we will’t cowl every thing and we’re normally fairly reserved with regards to crowdfunded tasks. It’s a murky enterprise, and all too usually a challenge doesn’t handle to get previous the “challenge” stage. With Second Hour issues appear to shift into a better gear because the model is now launching its third chapter, the Large Stride dive watch assortment.

The corporate originates from Melbourne, Australia and was based by Peter Sargison. Philosophically naming his firm Second Hour, Peter linked it to his private second section in life, shifting from company life to watchmaking. In fact, seconds and hours are additionally items of time, which want no explaining. The thought is to supply high-quality, initially designed mechanical watches at an reasonably priced value and it appears to be working for Peter and his firm.

The Second Hour Gin Clear MKI

The Second Hour Gin Clear MKI

Second Hour’s first watch was a retro-looking diver referred to as the Gin Clear (above). It’s at the moment offered out however an MKII model is on its approach. Then got here the Mandala assortment (beneath), a extra sporty-chic watch set to be delivered to clients shortly. Each collections are (or have been) out there in a variety of recent, vibrant colors blended with extra classical tones like black or gray.

The Second Hour Mandala Purple

The Second Hour Mandala Salmon

The model’s newest and third creation, the Second Hour Large Stride assortment, has a sturdy 42mm vast, hardened stainless-steel case with a principally brushed end and some polished sections to raise it just a little. The bezel is comparatively skinny, permitting for a big dial coated by a barely domed sapphire crystal. 4 colors might be out there; Slate Gray, Royal Blue, Bulls Eye Purple (seen right here) and Fight Inexperienced. On the periphery of the dial is a sloped interior rotating bezel with a segmented 60-minute observe, numerals for the 15/30/45 minute marks and an indicative triangle on the full hour.

On the within of that’s the ring for hours, with utilized indices. This ring options round grooves and a contrasting define working together with every hour marker. The markers themselves are crammed with a good quantity of BGW9 Tremendous-LumiNova. The indexes for 4, 8 and 12 o’clock are enlarged, a design ingredient in all of Second Hour’s collections. The center part of the dial has a wave-like sample with the emblem, title, depth score and “Swiss Made” in print. The sword-shaped hour and minute arms point out the time, with Tremendous-LumiNova inserts and a pink tip. The seconds hand has an arrow-shaped tip in pink, with a small luminous insert.

On the right-hand facet of the case are two crowns, each crammed with Tremendous-LumiNova. The higher crown includes a luminous triangle and might be unscrewed to rotate the interior bezel. The decrease screw-down crown is adorned with the Second Hour brand in luminescent materials and lets you wind and regulate the motion. A closed caseback is adorned with a 3D picture of a diver. The water-resistance is rated to 200 meters, which suggests it could possibly take a critical plunge if wanted.

The place the earlier watch, the Mandala, got here outfitted with a mechanical motion by Miyota, the Second Hour Large Stride now includes a Swiss-made motion as an alternative. The automated Sellita SW 200-1, a well known different to the ETA 2824, is a straightforward and dependable calibre and might be simply serviced by nearly any watchmaker. It has a frequency of 28,800vph (4Hz) and supplies 38 hours of autonomy when absolutely wound. The motion reveals the time, with hacking seconds, and the date – which might be rapidly set by the crown’s second place.

The Second Hour Large Stride comes on a strong stainless-steel H-link bracelet with a folding clasp. The prototype we had featured a easy folding clasp, which did its job simply advantageous, however it will likely be swapped out for a clasp with micro-adjustment within the last manufacturing model. It additionally comes with an extra NATO-style strap, which feels very easy to the contact. Another minor modifications might be made to the ultimate product, together with a number of touches on the dial and a elegant chamfer on the underside of the case so as to add some extra element.

I used to be fortunately stunned with the Second Hour Large Stride, because it all feels solidly constructed and it appears to be like like an authentic, recent design with some attention-grabbing particulars. The combination of supplies, textures and colors is kind of good, and though the Bulls Eye Purple wouldn’t be my private alternative, it does pop when on the wrist! Little doubt its dimensions make it a slightly giant watch however the comparatively compact lug-to-lug measurement, together with the form and curvature of the lugs make it a nice watch to put on on my 19,5cm sized wrist.

The Second Hour Large Stride could have an introductory value of USD 615, which can go as much as the total retail value of USD 725 after the primary ten days of the launch. The gathering is restricted to 350 items in complete, by all colors mixed. Contemplating what you get, I’d say that’s fairly truthful value-for-money for certain.

For extra data and orders, please go to secondhour.com.au.