How does that Hair Club for Men commercial go, “I’m not just the President, I am also a client.” Well, with Zelos, I am not just a blogger, I am an owner; when the Helmsman launched, I put my money down for the Bronze/brown with Serial #01/50. Now, Zelos Watches is back for their third launch on Kickstarter, the serious bronze diver, the Zelos Abyss.
This watch is a serious chunk of marine grade bronze, designed (and tested, albeit on home made equipment) to withstand the pressure of 3,000 meters of submergence. Do you need that? No. But if you like these bigger cases, then you want this designation as well. In addition to doubling down on the depth (OK, 30x vs standard dive watches), the Zelos Abyss also double downs on bezels, with an exterior 120 tooth unidirectional rotating bezel and an internal rotating bezel with a screw down crown. They work independently, though I would not try adjusting the internal one underwater. This does solve my one issue with the Helmsman as a dive watch. There is also a helium escape valve at 9:00 for all you technical divers out there.
The watch utilizes the Miyota 9015 automatic movement, a step up from the base 8250. A double domed sapphire crystal thick enough to handle the depth rating is provided up from, and the watch utilizes 5 seals for each of the two crows to get the 3,000 meters of protection. The watch is utilizes the same dial as the Helmsman, something that you may want to consider if you already own the first watch. With four color options for the dial, black, brown, green and blue, plus a black dial version with a black PVD bezel, you will be able to at least get another color option if you do have the Helmsmen.
Zelos has 2 successful campaigns completed, and they have already produced one watch with a bronze case, so I would suspect that this project will come off without too many issues. Along with the watch, you will get a leather carry roll (mine from the Helmsman), a brown vintage leather strap and a black rubber dive strap. The sold out early bird rewards were offered at $599 AUD ($490 USD) for the first 10 pledges of each color, but watches are still available for $699 AUD ($575 USD); the funding campaign closes January 28. zelos-watches
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Zelos Abyss
- Price: $575 US
- Who we think it might be for: Fans of hefty timepieces, in bronze.
- Would I buy or recommend it just on the photos?: I would not wear a 3,000 m watch regularly, but I have no doubt the product is attractive and well built.
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: A mix-match of hand set to comply with ISO standards for dive watches.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: Bronze cases are pretty, and I like the brand.
