Boschett is not a brand we have written about for awhile, and things had been relatively quiet. Then, not that long ago, we received word of a new model they had coming out, with the pre-order currently underway. While we looked at their Reef Ranger previously, their Harpoon lineup seems to be popular as well. So, with that, let’s take a look to see what the Boschett Harpoon Spirit of Essex has to offer.
From the get-go, it is worth noting that the Boschett Harpoon Spirit of Essex is, in terms of specs, just like the Harpoon 1000m. This means a Miyota 9015 lives on inside the 45mm stainless steel case (15.5m thick) that is topped by a rather thick sapphire crystal which, along with the HEV, helps the watch get to it’s 1000m WR rating. So, if the tech specs list is identical, what makes this limited edition of under 50 pieces so special (aside from quantity)?
Well, that comes out in the name. The Boschett Harpoon Spirit of Essex is named after the Essex whaleship that was the inspiration behind the story of Moby Dick (you can read more about that ship right here). Given the story of that boat and it’s role as a whaling ship, pairing it to the Harpoon line seems pretty natural. To further differentiate the watch, the dial has seen some changes. There are Roman numerals at the compass points (rather than indices), and the coloration on the handsets is a bit different as well. Pair that with the additional text on the dial, and you have what is setting this apart from the regular lineup.
Are these changes enough to make someone who has been on the fence more apt to pick up a Boschett Harpoon Spirit of Essex? Probably not. For anyone who has a keen interest in the whaling industry, or the back story behind Moby Dick, then this may just be the watch for them. Pricing is a bit higher than on the regular Harpoon. The expected retail Boschett Harpoon Spirit of Essex will be $725, but you can get yours at a pre-order price of $675 (essentially, a $25 premium over the standard model). If you are interested, you will need to email the brand and things will go from there. The pre-order closes December 1, with shipping expected to occur in Mid-December. For those who may (or may not) be interested in this sort of tribute watch, sound off in the comments and let us know if these sort of, well, cosmetic changes, would be enough to get you to pull the trigger. boschett-timepieces.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Boschett Harpoon Spirit of Essex
- Price: $675 (on pre-order)
- Who we think it might be for: You’re really in to Moby Dick (or the history of the whaling industry)
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: Not particularly – having never read that book, this one holds no special interest for me
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Hopefully the caseback has the boat showing up on it…
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: The handset
