HELM Watches KOMODO Diver's Automatic 300M HANDS ON

Taking its name from the from Indonesian island of Komodo, a former penal colony and home to the infamous Komodo dragons, an endemic species of giant monitor lizard that might whip you with its tail, gore you with its claws or give you a nasty bite that will quickly poison you with deadly bacteria-riddled saliva, wait for you come to succumb in a feverous heap on the ground, track you down and gobble you up!

But that’s enough natural history for today, folks - this is the HELM Komodo 300m Automatic dive watch, a completely different kind of beast!



With a diameter of just 40mm, it is the smallest diver in HELM’s lineup of 3; however don’t be fooled by its modest stature, as this stout little fellow has a 14.5mm thick case making it quite the compact diver.



Now that we’ve sized the Komodo up, it’s time test its mettle (so to speak), the watch’s case is made from 316L Stainless steel, this is fitted with a double-domed (AR-treated) Sapphire crystal and a 120-click unidirectional rotational diver’s bezel. The case has a water-resistance of 300 meters.



Like the main case, diver’s bezel is in 316L Stainless steel. It has a black PVD inlay which has been engraved and filled with BGW9 SLN that glows blue in the dark.

The bezel actually has quite a good amount of height to it plus some nicely pronounced coin-edging so offers good ergonomics in that respect. The movement is surefooted with a good amount of resistance. It sounds a little scratchy – which is to be expected given its price point.



The crown which has a 7mm diameter is securely nestled between two integrated crown-guards. It is easily manipulated even with my giant hands. The winding stem is nice a solid, too.

Further diver’s features: include a screw-down crown and case-back with gaskets. The Komodo has also been tested in accordance with the latest ISO 6425 norms for a diver’s watch.



While the overall aesthetic of Komodo is sober, the watch could be characterized by its sporty diver-centric, dial which is highly legible thanks to generously proportioned circular hour markers, also with BGW9 SLN.

The dial which is offered in either matte black, orange or white is dominated by an oversized orange diver’s minute hand. This has been partnered with a covert black hour hand – allowing for effortless time-reading, at a glance.



Further dial features include: a minute track / chapter-ring, a red sweep seconds hand with lumed pointer and date window at 3 o’clock.

While the date is clearly legible even with my poor eyesight, you barely notice it, as it seamless merges with the rest of the dial thanks to a black date wheel, harmoniously framed with a white ring.



Earlier I discussed the bezel quality, but I wanted to quickly mention a bit about the case itself. It’s hard to go wrong with a 316L Stainless steel case however one area where affordable watches usually fall short is in their finishing.

I was pleasantly surprised just how smooth the case finishing was on the Komodo. No rough edges or sharp corners. The finish is a fine brushed / satin.



So what’s powering this little bruiser? The Komodo is equipped by a Seiko Instruments NH35 automatic mechanical movement. This has hacking seconds, so the second stops during time-setting allowing for up to the second accuracy.

Actual accuracy is 20 ~ +40 seconds per day. The NH35 is a 24 jewel movement with a beat-rate of 21,600 bph. It has an autonomy of approx. 40 hours.



While the Komodo comes with a Stainless Steel bracelet with a diver’s clasp, I have only worn it on its supplied NS1 Nylon Strap which comes with a Stainless steel buckle and keeper rings. On the bracelet the Komodo is a bit of porker weighing 215g. However on the NATO it is a mere, 110g.



Because I live in a hot and humid climate most of the year round, my personal preference is nylon. I have found the Komodo to be as comfortable as anything I’ve worn. While it is what we could call pint-sized in England – make that a pint of Guinness or Stout rather than a light ale as the Komodo has some substance to it.



If you favor a smaller watch, its 40mm diameter will suit, if you like a bit of heft it will have that on the bracelet but if you want something dainty – this ain’t it.

With its purposeful design, the Komodo isn’t overly derivative (someone did point out its similarity to a Citizen Promaster which I can see) it hasn’t jumped on the retro band wagon either, nor is it overly contemporary, rather it is more focused on being a solid, no-nonsense diver’s watch.


©OceanicTime

And with its current price-tag of just 285USD, it makes an attractive value proposition for anyone looking for an unassuming tool-diver.

IMPORTANT while the Komodo is currently showing as sold out, more will be AVAILABLE again from August, 2020.

This Komodo was supplied by HELM for the purpose of this hands-on review – if I can bring myself to part with it, we will be giving the watch away at some point in the near future. Many thanks for reading!

HALDOR Armis 2000m CERAMIC [hands on]

BACKGROUND This is the new HALDOR Armis 2000m, released as a collection of three models that include: the Armis 2000m HHC, DLC and Ceramic.

The Armis is the Slovenian brand’s second model and one which follows in the footsteps of their popular debut diver, the ABISSI.

If I remember correctly, I had some pretty good things to say about the Abissi so let's see what I make of the Armis.



ARMIS The Armis collection of 3 includes this model, the Ceramic named so after the ceramic diver's bezel that it is equipped with, the HHC taking its name from the HALDOR Hard Coating that its case (and also the case of the Armis Ceramic) is finished with, and the DLC named so after its black Diamond Like Carbon treated case.

The case and all of it components such as its: bezel, case-back, crown and bracelet (incl. clasp) have all been treated with HALDOR Hard Coating.



HHC (Haldor hard coating)
is a special hardening process designed to increase the scratch-resistance and hardness of steel.

The process creates a hardened barrier of roughly 25 microns deep on the upper layer of the steel making it considerably harder.



HALDOR’s Hard Coating has about 2000HV (Vickers) making it 7 times harder than normal Stainless steel.

As the hardening process is carried out before the steel cools, it creates a protective layer on the steel, making the surface of the watch significantly more resistant to scratches.



DESIGN The Armis has quite a familiar style not so different in its DNA from some other models also designed in Germany as it is.

So perhaps we couldn't really say that the Armis brings anything new to the table in terms of style. However with that said, the Armis does have a look that has become synonymous with some of the more noteworthy German dive watch brands such as Sinn, Laco or even H20.



This is a very rugged yet understated looking watch that should happily satisfy fans of the above brands (Sinn in particular) but who are perhaps on a more modest budget.

The watch’s bead-blasted finish as well as the additional HHC surface treatment go a long way to giving the Armis its toolish aesthetic while the glossy black ceramic and flat sapphire crystal help to give it a more premium feel.



DIVE The Armis 2000m is first and foremost a diver's watch. It is endowed with all the types of features that one would expect on a modern dive watch.

A 120-click unidirectional bezel with a ceramic inlay and luminous dive-time scale, a 4.5mm thick sapphire crystal with AR-treatment, a Helium Escape Valve (left lateral side), a screwed case-back and crown and a substantial 2000 meters of water-resistance.



In addition to the above, the Armis also benefits from Magnetic Field Protection, shielding it from magnetic fields. Its movement is housed inside a Faraday Cage protecting it up to 4.800 ampere per meter (A/m).

BACK The Armis case-back is made from solid steel and like all other case components benefits from HHC treatment. Rather aptly it is engraved with a coat of arms with shield, crossed swords and anchor.



DIAL The dial of the Armis is available in any color so long as it's black. This black background creates the perfectly contrasting canvas for its white luminous indexes and its set of broad sword hands.

The indexes which are a mixture of rectangular and trapezoidal shapes have been applied with white-colored, Swiss BGW9 SuperLuminova which emits a bright blue light - as have the hands, including the seconds hand.

A short and stubby hour hand has been paired with a long red minute hand so that there can be absolutely no ambiguity when reading dive-time.



Safe for a white date wheel, white minutes track and a nominal amount of dial text, the Armis has as clean a dial as you could ever wish for. The dial design suits the overall look of the watch, well but personally I find it a little uninspiring.

MOVEMENT Haldor haven't skimped on anything on this watch; its movement is no different. Powering the Armis 2000m Ceramic is a Swiss Made ETA 2824-2 in Top grade form which means its accuracy is almost Chronometer-like thanks to its tuning to 5-adjustments.



BRACELET The Armis comes on solid stainless steel link bracelet with HHC protective treatment. The links have a sort of H-shape to them; I'm not sure if they were designed like this or whether it was a happy coincidence when Haldor were sourcing the bracelet but it works.

The bracelet links are held together by HEX screws rather than nasty old flat-head screws. It is fitted with a push-button clasp with a diver's extension.



I've encountered tons of similar clasps, this works as well as any of them, but it feels quite light. Not sure if that's good or bad - depends on your personal preference, I guess.

KIT The Armis was delivered in what I'd call a medium quality dry case. Inside the case was the Armis along with an additional Italian rubber diver's strap, a tool and warranty card.



FIT ‘n’ FINISH What we have in the Armis is a German designed, Swiss made diver's watch produced by a small Slovenian brand. Geography aside, I really can't fault the Armis and as much as I don't like to pick holes in watches (it's my job to do so), I have really struggled today.

The HHC bead-blasted finish is consistent throughout, even the gaps between the bracelet links look good. The bezel has a nice smooth action (it's not like a Rolex but it's good), the bezel and crown have been tightly secured. Better quality and higher performing HEX screws have been used throughout.



Quickly, going back to the case finish (which as mentioned is nice and even) – please be aware that this type of finish is the complete antithesis of bling. So if you want something blingy, the Armis is not it.



THOUGHTS The HALDOR Armis 2000m Ceramic is without question a very nicely put together and capable dive watch.

Stylistically it's a little too safe for me, not boring but kind of generic in its look and a little soulless but then again it should appeal greatly to those with an appreciation for more technical looking tool divers. This is obviously subjective.



However, what it lacks in originality it certainly makes up for in terms of features.

You get a 2000M diver boasting: case hardening treatment, anti-magnetic protection and an ETA Top Grade movement. It even says Swiss made on the dial for those that consider this an important selling point. For all its German styling, Swiss manufacturing and Slovenian heritage, it is ultimately a Euro Diver, not a famous one but a good one that offers value.


©OceanicTime

PRICE Talking of Euros, the Armis 2000m Ceramic has a 650 euros price-tag + VAT within the EU. I think this is fairly reasonable asking price considering its high level of specification.

If you aren't quite on a Sinn budget, this will certainly go a long to giving you a bit of a taste of what a German tool diver offers. What do you think?

This watch was loaned to OceanicTime for the purposes of this review. Follow the link embedded in the HALDOR logo, below for further information.

PANTOR Sea Turtle HANDS-ON

This is the new Sea Turtle from PANTOR Watches, a relatively small brand that are solely focused on mechanical diver’s watches and who have continued to go from strength to strength.

PANTOR Watches’ entire collection has just recently become available to purchase on Amazon.com



The Sea Turtle joins a collection of dedicated dive watches inspired by ocean fauna that includes: the NAUTILUS, Seahorse, SEA LION and Seal.



With its classic 45mm in diameter cushion case, you could say that the new Sea Turtle is a big brother to the 42mm Seal Lion.



The Sea Turtle whose case is made of Marine-grade 316L Stainless is finished with a subtle brushed finish along its sides while the top of the case has a high polish.



The case is fitted with: a solid steel 120-click diver’s bezel and a flat Sapphire crystal. The bezel has a nice a high profile and large teeth ensuring an excellent grip.



The bezel is topped with a black insert with a silver 45-min scale and a vintage-style orange luminous pearl at the 12hr position.



The bezel is super tight, as in it has zero slop or play and it also lines up absolutely perfectly. The dive-time markers are nice and sharp.



On the right lateral side of the case is a signed screw-down crown. The crown is without crown-guards, an aesthetic choice following the vintage design codes of watches like Aquadive’s legendary Bathyscaphe.



Over on the opposite case side is an automatic Helium Escape Valve making the humble Sea Turtle fit for SAT diving duty.



Flipping the Sea Turtle on its back we are treated to an engraved turtle motif with said critter in full flight as he makes his way through the sea.

The Sea Turtle has a very respectable 500 meters of water-resistance.



The Sea Turtle’s dial is available in matte black. I am not aware of any other colors on offer at this point. The dial is very simply laid out with a combination of circular and trapezoid markers at 3, 6, and 9.



While the 12hr marker is kinda’ like a massive tooth or perhaps a shield shape. The dial is fitted with a silver chrome handset. All hands and markers are with C3 SLN lume – sweep sec. incl.



Powering the Sea Turtle is a Japan Made Seiko NH35 automatic movement with a slanted white date wheel at 4:30 on the dial.



Full dimensions of the PANTOR Sea Turtle include: a 45mm diameter case with a thickness of 15.2mm and a lug measurement of 22mm.



Speaking of the lug width, the Sea Turtle is presented on a black rubber diver’s strap with a modern Panerai-esque style plus a Pre-Vendome style solid steel buckle.



Both strap and buckle are a little of topic, but they do the job. The rubber used for the strap is silicone rather than actual real rubber.



A second tan leatherette strap was also supplied with the Sea Turtle along with a strap changing tool.



Final thoughts? The Sea Turtle is hefty diver with a rugged bezel and crown. I’m a fan of bezel and crowns with good ergonomics as these have.



The Sea Turtle’s case has been finished rather nicely for its price-point, too. Feeling nice to the touch and without any flaws.

The bezel as mentioned is tight while the winding crown is adequately solid.



At its price point which is just shy of 600USD, the Sea Turtle has a lot of competition; in particular from the slew of Kickstarter projects currently on offer.

However, to its advantage the PANTOR brand has been going strong for the past half a decade or so. When purchased from Amazon it comes with a little extra added assurance.


©OceanicTime

The Sea Lion will likely appeal to anyone looking for an affordable yet bulletproof alternative to a Swiss retro diver. Please follow the link embedded, below to visit PANTOR Watches and discover their full diver’s collection.