AUDRIC SeaBorne the new kid on the block

This review was original written for Watchitallabout

I recently had the opportunity of trying out the new divers watch from AUDRIC. The aptly named SeaBorne is a modern divers piece with quite the specification list! Let’s get the basics out the way before we go on to discuss the watch in a little more detail.

So the entire watch is produced in 316L Stainless steel, with a case width of 43mm and a lug tip to lug tip length of 51mm this is no small watch! The bracelet fits the case with reassuringly solid end links, and the lug to lug is a sensible 22mm for a watch of this size. There is a slight taper to the bracelet running from 22mm down to 20mm at the clasp. The clasp feels solid and offers a diver ratchet extension system for micro-adjustments to ensure a perfect fit. If, however, you do need to add or remove links, these are secured with screws and not pins which gives a good solid feel to the bracelet and makes the process much easier, I always think. 

The case features a helium escape valve at the 9 o’clock position and has a mixture of finishes featured, from excellent brushing and polishing to wonderful chamfered edges. The sides of the case are nicely recessed with a polished edge and a darker satin finish in the recessed areas. The case is very angular. It reminds me somewhat of a Seiko Samurai but on a larger, more muscular scale. Crown guards are present, and the crown is equally chunky with an excellent grip afforded by deep knurling. The crown, as you would expect, is screwed down to offer the 500m water resistance and has an excellent smooth action with no stem wobble or issues. The bezel is a 120 click unidirectional with again deep but spaced knurling to provide excellent grip when used. It also features a lume filled AUDRIC logo. Zero back play, and an excellent click that locks into place meant this was a nice bezel to use! The case back is nicely etched with a sea turtle and contains the basic information we’re all used to seeing.

The star of the show for the SeaBorne though will undoubtedly be the dial on this one for most people. The dial sits under a piece of domed sapphire crystal with 5 layers of anti-reflective coating and sapphire is also used in the bezel insert as well. This gives the appearance of one almost seamless piece across the top of the face and bezel. The watch face itself is very finely patterned with a radiating sunburst effect and is also a sandwich-style for the minute markers which hold C3 Lume. The rest of the dial and also the bezel make use of BGW-9 lume giving all the visibility you could need! The dial indices are also Rhodium plated. This should mean that they resist corrosion better over the years but in the immediate term, this gives them a nice lustre. The chapter ring contains a minute marker track but also has a coloured third splint down further into red and yellow half’s. This adds a bit more colour to the dial and contrasts nicely with whichever dial colour choice you choose.

Powering the SeaBorne is the sellita SW200-1 incabloc which is a reliable movement used by a number of well-known watch manufactures so I had no issues with this being part of the package. Winding was smooth and for the week I used this it ran well within the stated tolerances of  +/-20 seconds a day.

Conclusion

So after spending some time with the AUDRIC SeaBorne what are my final thoughts? you have to applaud AUDRIC for making the effort to produce a diver with a very different and interesting dial! The baby blue sunburst colour I had was definitely fun but the bezel was the same colour and with the white writing and sapphire inlay made for difficult viewing in most lights. This particular colour combination I feel needs a few tweaks but then it will truly sing. Until then the other colours on offer seem to be more balanced and will probably be more wearable in most situations. The SeaBorne is big, it’s heavy but it does wear well for its size and has all the bracelet adjustments you're likely to need. It’s a very compelling package if the size and style speak to you. A great first watch by AUDRIC which I’m sure will be refined further and become a well-loved piece by many.

Specifications

• Thickness : 15.4 mm including the crystal.

• Crystal : 4.5 mm.

• Lug width : 22 mm.

• 120 clicks unidirectional sapphire bezel filled with BGW9.

• Domed sapphire crystal with 5 layers of anti-reflective coating.

• Screwed case back with watch specs.

• Screw down crown with logo etched. Logo filled with white luminous ( BGW9 ).

• 500 meters

• Helium Escape Valve @ 9H.

• Sunburst pattern Sandwich Dial (minute markers in C3 Lume) with Matt background and Applied indexes Rhodium plated ( filled with white luminous BGW9 ).

• Rhodium plated hour, minute and seconds hands filled with white luminous (BGW9 ).

• SS 316 L bracelet with diver buckle and extender. Solid end links on the fitted bracelet with screws in the links for easy sizing. 22 mm at the lugs and 20 mm at the buckle.

• SW 200- 1 Incabloc and Elabore grade movement.