The Megalodon was a prehistoric shark, the biggest and (presumably) baddest shark to live on Earth. Not too long ago, I saw an article which asked if any of these cold still be alive in the deep ocean (no), but one is definitely back. The Benarus Megalodon dive watch is now available for pre-order, and it is still the beast it has always been.
If you like big, and I mean big, dive watches, this 2,500 meter rated professional grade dive watch may be just the ticket for you. John reviewed one of these a few years ago. His take was that it was handsome and well made, and in spite of the size, wearable. Since Benarus is such a small company, they are going the crowd funding route to essentially gauge the volume of watches to produce as they bring this model back. By backing the project, you can pick up one of these watches for $780 (the $750 early birds are gone) or $800 if you are late to tier 2. The company’s web site does not list a retail price, but the previous version was $1,100.
One change is that the ETA movement has been replaced with Miyota 9015 movement, but you are now getting an upgraded stainless bezel with a sapphire lumed insert (not shown in the pre-production images here). The watch has a 4.5mm thick stainless caseback, a 4.5mm thick sapphire crystal, a helium escape valve and double o-rings to achieve the depth rating. At 49 mm in diameter and standing tall at 19mm, this is not a subtle watch.
Lume looks to be quite impressive, as it should be with a technical diving watch. The standard crowdfunding disclaimer will go here, but since this is the return of a watch from an established brand, I would expect that the project has a minimal risk. There are six color combinations available, with various combination of white, black, orange and blue dials; stainless or DLC bezels; and hand sets with matching or mix matched with an orange minute hand. For me, I have no need for a watch this large and rated to 2,500 meters, but there is a market for it, and the Benarus Megalodon is certainly a watch worth considering if you want something like it. benaruswatches.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Benarus Megalodon Dive Watch
- Price: $780 – $800 (depending on timing)
- Who we think it might be for: You want a statement dive watch.
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: It is too big for me. I like the styling of the dial, but the case is not me.
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Mix-match the hand set style to meet ANSI standards for a dive watch.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: I like the look of the lume.
Tech Specs from Benarus Watches
- Movement: Miyota 9015 automatic
- Functions: Three hander with date, helium escape valve
- Case: Stainless steel with optional DLC bezel and sapphire bezel insert
- Crystal: Domed sapphire.
- Water resistance: 2,500 m
- Lug width: 24mm
- Straps: Stainless bracelet with wet suit expansion buckle and black rubber dive strap.
- Diameter: 49 mm
- Case Height: 19 mm
