Quick Update: The colorways that were out of stock are back for sale. They aren't quite in stock yet, but are being listed as Pre-order. Shipping early 2023.
Great review 👍 you managed to show the dial very well, it's beautiful! I love the dial and the case/lug design, however, I think it would be better at 39mm with 20mm lugs and a screw on caseback.
That is a beautiful dial! Love that blue texture and you're right that this is like a mix of Zelos Aurora Teal with Seiko blue Cocktail time only this dial looks better than the Cocktaill Time. It is a more refined dial than the Aurora Teal. Smaller would be. Perhaps Miyota 9 series movement to help a little on price?
Great presentation showing off this mesmerizing dial beyond the stills I'd seen before, when it was first presented on Instagram. It's a nice package too with 100m WR. The white dial is also incredible.
Your right about the caseback not being a screw down, especially with 10 atm of water resistance. Also, the first thing that came into mind is the dial looks like a moon or small planet, and now I can’t unsee it. I’m also not too crazy about hands that look the same except for the length to distinguish between them. You don’t want have to think about which hand is hour or minute when looking at the watch without your glasses. Perhaps a broad arrow hour hand would be better. A little too big for my wrists but great looking “moon” watch.
Nearly bought the Damascus but the hands do seem just a bit chunky, plus it’s a little big for me. If they did a 39mm with revised hands I’d probably go for it. Stunning dial
I got the new glacial rift model and it is 10x more beutiful in person then on pictures. It is a little bit expensive when you need to pay 33% of price to tax and vat, but they put LJP G101 movement in this one and it has 68h power reserve so i think it is good value for money
This is a gorgeous thing and a design so balanced and matured that I think it will stand the test of time very well indeed. Yes, the price was a little steep (especially when taxes are factored in, depending on your location), but many ask similar prices without offering nearly as much subtlety, drama, and refinement. The price would have been excellent if it included the bracelet they're still developing for it. I'm not sure what bugs you about the hands. For me they're integral to my enjoyment. The proportions seem excellent. Any thinner and despite it's beauty, the restrained length of the markers might make the dial look empty (too much negative space), any thicker and the watch would likely start losing its refined touches. Perhaps a slightly steeper slope on both markers and hands would have increased the visual drama just a little, but it's not like we're short changed on what we are already getting. While the many reflections the watch gives off could be seen as a negative, I often find myself briefly struck by the shimmer of a few markers or the hands. Ultimately, I think this is accomplished because the brand created balance and coherence that runs throughout both the case and the dial and its unusual construction. Since then others seemed to have followed suit with dial textures that bear similarity: the Zelos is one, but also a new Royal Oak with a 'dimpled' dial, and the teased anOrdain model 3... I'd hesitate to say this was caused by Straum, but it's no bad thing for a starting micro-brand to be seen to be setting a little trend and cements their vision for watch design.
I bought the green dial version a while ago. Why green? It perfectly matches the dark highland green paint on my Mustang Bullitt. The dial is a stunner. You just don't see this in watches very often. The case is nicely done, and I think is one of the best I have seen in a micro brand.. The case back is also unique. Very cool when you open a watch box and smell leather. Like that band. Over all a unique watch. Not inexpensive, but I think still good value. I liked it so much I bought the white dial watch later. Over the top stunner! Very different look. Expansive big White textured dial. In your face ......have to look at dial!
Great review as usual. You're the only review that highlighted the snap-on case back. I get why they did it. I'd rather see a screws holding the back down over snap on. Excellent photography! Btw...have you ever watched Elizabeth Grant? You two could be review twins!
Thanks... part of my review philosophy (if you can call it that) is to spend a good amount of time with the watch, I've found that it's the only way to catch everything, but it does mean I'm slower getting reviews out. I've watched Elizabeth a few times... I guess I could see some resemblance. Maybe we should do some sort of collab.
Should also add that the stainless steel Opphav has a standard grade SW200-1 with ghost date while the Damascus version has an Elabore grade SW200-1b with no ghost date.
Getting the green one of ebay. Reserved it just yesterday. The seller felt good so didn't want to negotiate for a few dollars. Getting it for roughly 650 USD which I think is fair since the tax in Australia is 10 %. I believe the watch should be around that 550 USD ballpark but again being a limited edition stuff and I really wanted to own one, I think it best value for money.
I have the Zelos Aurora teal in 38mm. I love the look of the hammered dial on the Zelos, but I also find the Straum's dial more natural and very beautiful in its own right. I may eventually have to add one to the collection.
You're right about the hands. They're too wide and kind of oddly shaped. I like pointy hands better. Still it's a nice watch. The snap-on back is disappointing too. A screw-on plate is no option with this design, but a couple of screws is.
Expeditions aside; It's a Dress Watch. How do I know ? ... the Snap On Caseback, as well as the Push In Crown ... though I do Love that Dial. And That's the Truth.
Just saw these in person at the W Up watch fair. Good stuff. Not dirt cheap.. wait, this is strange. This video lists a drastically lower price than what I saw today. Oh well, maybe it’s a different model or it has a bracelet-AHIC, I’ve seen the “Jan Maier” models…
@@RelativeTime I saw the "Jan Mayen" models in person (except the brand new Glacial) which were "printed" at $1750 on a sheet IFRme. The Opphav is less, but at slightly above $1000 on their website, is still sign more than ur vid.
Great review. I like your process for reviews. The dial is the big story. Great effect. The hands are strange, but not terrible. I think the indices are too small. Agree that a snap on case back is just an absolute deal killer. Can we talk about that canvas and leather strap you use from time to time? It’s awful. Burn it. - just kidding. (No really burn it).
Are you talking about the Khaki canvas with reddish-brown leather ends? I think it works on some watches more than others, but one of the reasons I use it is that people keep asking about it. For years, at least once a month I get someone asking where they could get one.
I got it off Amazon: geni.us/M3ZBV But I don't think it's available anymore. There is a similar version, but it looks like the watch cushions aren't as nice. geni.us/LASno
Nice, but too pricey for the specifications....a shame, it's very pretty and has an excellent movement but lack of WR renders it impractical for normal life.
Brrroooo why putting the crown on stone @2:24 … oooh anyway I guess the watch is free, you’re not returning it. But I do wonder about scratching….does everyone do this? 😜
Because it makes a great shot, and I try to give everyone a good and interesting look rather than just floating hands holding it up. Now I am pretty careful When I place it down and pick it up... straight up and down and now running it across the stone, but yeah there is a minor risk. In this situation, it wasn't new when it was sent, and already had a few scratches.
I'd love to get this watch IF I had the funds. I'd have to pamper it however without the screw-down crown and fitted case back. The strap is fine and I'm not particular about bracelets. The hands are something that over TIME might gnaw at me. The oar style is nice for legible reading but perhaps if the ends tapered using an inverted curve on both sides starting from 2/3 of the radius to the end, leaving the lume portion of the end 1/3 as thick. Something that might mimic the carved ocean bottom floor beneath these oars? The blue color is my favorite and right now I don't have a blue dial watch. I also don't have the money in what has become a nightmare economy in a raging world war with power hungry corporate NAZIS looking to take control of governments and masking everyone up to take the mandates and 'subscribe' to a never ending line up of poison to hold a job witch EYE RE FUSE to do.
There is some simmilarity with the texture and color, but I think that's where it stops. I don't think the Aurora has the droped off chapter ring, but I haven't seen it in person.
