HELM Watches MIYAKO [affordable refinement]

Situated just 300 kilometers south of the Okinawan Main Island and a mere stone’s throw from my adopted home of Taiwan (just 450km or so to the east) lies the Japanese island of Miyakojima with its stunning beaches and coral reefs. This idyllic Japanese island paradise was the muse for a new diver’s model from Helm Watches; the Miyako which has been suitably powered by the venerable Japanese automatic movement, the Miyota caliber 9015. Combining old world features such as its cambered sapphire crystal inlayed diver’s bezel and exposed fluted crown with elements such as its two-tier dial, the Miyako has an heir of refinement seldom found on watches at its modest price-point. Meanwhile its 316L Stainless steel case which measure a manageable 40mm in diameter is fitted with a screw-down, crown and case-back and has 200m of water-resistance which means the Miyako is fully compliant with ISO 6425 norms for a diver’s watch. While an anti-reflective-treated, domed Sapphire crystal protects the Miyako’s beautiful dial (offered in slate grey or navy blue) with its embossed Japanese Kanagawa-style wave pattern design at its center; its Japanese mechanical heart is protected from the rear via a solid Stainless steel back, the design of which once again incorporates the frothing, cresting wave pattern with the Helm logo at its center. The Miyako comes with an NS1 Nylon Strap― the perfect option in or out of the water; it provides a casual, lightweight alternative to the included Stainless bracelet. The Miyako is listed at 375USD. Follow the link HERE or the one embedded in the HELM logo at the bottom of this post. Thoughts? An inspired design from Helm that speaks my language details such as the FF-style bezel inlay, its un-guarded fluted crown and that evocative Japanese wave pattern.

But what do you think?