It is a beautiful thing when a watch exceeds your expectations. When I first encountered the Reverie Sea Spirit
online, I could see this sporty dress watch had many desirable elements
like a sapphire crystal, Miyota automatic movement, and 100 meters
water resistance. I could also see that it was going to be an attractive
watch with its brushed and polished cushion case and distinctive spiral
guilloché dial. All the indications were good, but I was still
pleasantly surprised when I opened the box. Delighted, in fact. I might
have made an "Oooh!" noise, but no one can prove that.
Come to think of it, my excitement began before I even opened the box.
The watch arrived in its padded display box all tied up with ribbon,
accompanied by a handwritten note. In a world that is largely automated
and where much social interaction comes through a computer screen, a
personal touch goes a long way.
The Sea Spirit is by any measure, a gorgeous watch. Photos only give you
a rough idea of the textured dial. Reverie claims it was inspired by
ocean waves; something that is readily apparent when the dial catches
the light to create the illusion of movement. The watch is available in
black and the sample's lustrous deep blue color. The layout follows that
of a traditional deck officer's watch with its prominent Arabic
numerals and railroad track index. The offset small seconds dial tweaks
the conventional design a touch, and to good effect. By moving it from
the traditional 6 o'clock position, Reverie has liberated space for a
full set of markers.
The choice of a diver's style handset is another deviation from the
classic model that still carries the nautical theme. The white luminous
material on the hands provides ample contrast for excellent readability
in all light conditions. I love the way polished hands look on a dress
watch, but they tend to reflect dark surfaces and disappear under all
but the most optimal of lighting conditions, rendering the watch
unreadable. The white lume on the Sea Spirit solves this problem and
looks damn fine in the process. A strong nighttime glow is icing on the
cake.
Cushion cases wear much larger than comparably sized round cases. For
example, the Heuer Monaco is just 38mm square and no one could accuse it
of being undersized. I have found most square or cushion cases sized
42mm or larger to be too large for anything but weekend wear. The Sea
Spirit is 41mm wide, 47mm long and hits that mid-sized sweet spot, large
enough for a sporty presence, small enough for a suit and tie at the
office. It was a perfect fit on my 6.5" wrist. The case also draws
attention with its deft use of shape and finish. A beveled edge
surrounding the case and the radial brushing on the otherwise polished
case add a pleasant dimension to the watch. The 3 o'clock push-pull
crown is fluted and signed. Overall fit and finish are excellent, with
no sharp edges or corners to detract. There is perhaps a nod to the 40mm
Panerai Luminor in the design, but the Reverie stands handsomely on its
own. Indeed, to my eye, the Sea Spirit is the prettier watch.
Peering through the display case back you will find a Miyota 8218 with a
skeletonized rotor. This hand winding, 21 jewel automatic movement
vibrates at 21.6k bph and has a power reserve of over 40 hours.
Between the short, angular lugs sits a 22mm strap. The Sea Spirit ships
with two: leather on a butterfly deployant clasp, and black sailcloth on
a buckle. Both are signed, equipped with quick release spring bars, and
are quality prices. The deep blue model arrived on padded brown leather
with contrasting stitching that gave it an appropriately sporting look.
The sailcloth strap is leather backed and is both thinner and lighter
than the padded leather. The brown leather is a perfect pairing with the
blue dial, but I found the clasp to be uncomfortable over long periods
of time. It sat on my wrist in such a way that the outer edge was in
contact with my skin. I confess, I am not a great fan of butterfly
clasps in general, but the strap itself is very nice, and of course,
there is another option in the box. My clasp issues aside, it is great
to have two straps, and the quick release mechanism makes swapping them a
breeze.
The Reverie Sea Spirit is a remarkably satisfying watch and at just $420
USD shipped, it is a solid deal. The refined case, modest size, robust
specs, and dazzling dial have made it my go-to piece over these past two
weeks. For more information or to order one of your own, head to ReverieWatches.com.
Pro: Stunning dial, elegant case.
Con: Pinchy clasp.
Sum: Lovely and well made. The Time Bum approves.
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