The economy may be awful, but as my compadre Jason recently mentioned, if you’re a watch enthusiast, as most of us at GP are, we live in fortunate times. Small companies are coming out with well priced time pieces and though they may not be bred from pure bloodlines, they have the performance to match or exceed those that are. The BaliHa’i Project is an excellent example of this.

The BaliHa’i project is the first offering from BaliHa’i, a brand started by fellow watch geeks. Intended to be a vintage inspired dive/tool watch that performs incredibly, it’s also a watch that owners wouldn’t hesitate to actually use and, dare I say, abuse.

The stats are impressive, 44mm stainless steel case and bracelet, well known and respected ETA 2824-2 Swiss Automatic Movement, Helium Escape Valve, 1000 meter depth rating, and more. Plus, it comes with a spare black rubber dive strap and a Pelican case (smaller than this one) for overkill safe keeping. The best part though, has to be the “few irreverent tweaks” that were added. Namely, the WICKED SWEET (yo, Massachusetts) case back featuring a becoming bikini clad cartoon lady drawn by a professional illustrator. Reminds me of the Lost surf T’s I’d get at Pac-Sun in high school that horrified my mom. Brian just shuddered at the thought.

Normally a watch with these technical abilities and attention to detail would run upwards of $1,500 at the least. The BaliHa’i is $795 (stainless steel) or $895 (PVD), and I doubt you’ll run into many that own one.

Gear Patrol readers receive a free orange strap with order:

BaliHa’i is also offering a promotion for our loyal readers. Type in the code “gear” at check out and not only will you get a whopping 1 cent off the price tag, but you’ll get a free orange rubber dive strap (giving you the GP approved orange/black combo), and free shipping & handling. Don’t say we don’t love you guys.

Cost: $795-$895 (Or, $794.99-$894.99 for GP readers)

Additional photos of the BaliHa’i Project on the Next Page

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