Korsbek Oceaneer
Dive Watch or Leviathan? How about both.
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The new Korsbek Oceaneer is another high-quality dive watch emerging from the growing boutique market. We’ve touched on this trend before here at Gear Patrol, introducing you to companies like BaliHa’i and Zinex. These lines are a great place to find yourself a watch on par in quality with any well known brand; plus, you’ll get that an added individuality bonus, as you’ll be unlikely to spot others wearing one. All this for a much more reasonable price to boot.
The Oceaneer is the second watch released by Korsbek, a one man show out of Washington (state) run by Poul Brix. With plenty of input from his followers, he’s produced one hell of a dive watch as an encore to his well received Ocean Explorer. The Oceaneer is a beast… dare I say a Sea Monster… of a watch, clocking in at 45mm in diameter and at 17mm in height. In spite of its magnitude, the Oceaneer wears very well, but you may need to get your shirt cuffs tailored. I have a 7″ wrist, which is not very big, and I still felt more than comfortable with it on.
The Oceaneer, as a whole, is a beauty. From a clean, legible face, bead blasted finish, and great lume, to the engraved Korsbek sheild on the crown, everything has been thought out and executed perfectly.
On the performance side, the Oceaneer delivers in spades. HEV (Helium Escape Valve), 1000m depth rating, Fricker case, Anti-Magnetic inner case (crucial for those of you planing a dive trip to the island in LOST), are all included. All of this is built around the Swiss ETA-2892 A2 movement, which is commonly thought to be on par with Rolex’s in-house movements.
The packaging is equally thorough, with the watch arriving in an orange Pelican case with spare links, a rubber diving strap, and the tools to needed to change them. The Korbek Oceaneer is a tool watch that makes being tough look damn good.
Authors Note: This is a big watch, both in size and in heft, so keep that in mind if you normally wear something very light. Poul’s following is very active on Watchuseek; check out his forum to see how well satisfied his customers are. The man takes his customer service very seriously, and, these days, that’s especially nice to see.
Cost: $1,995
now that is a tough looking watch! great packaging too!
For $2k, I'd rather get a vintage Rolex or spend another $1000 get a brand new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date.
I think my sentiments were shared by Hodinkee members as well.
Shubs,
Thanks for reading and commenting. Hodinkee and I had a little bit of a debate about this today. 2K definitely gives you some serious options. Korsbek is one, but your Rolex are just as cool in a different way. Watches seem to polarize people as much as anything we review. Just because we brought it to people's attention doesn't mean it's the best 2k watch for YOU. Any other readers we'd love to hear what you'd get with a spare 2K?
Cheers,
Jon
Jon,
My review/comment was strictly my opinion. As most comments should be.
I understand, that this is very boutique watch, but if you choose to sell this watch in the near future I'm not sure how well it would hold its value.
Mind you, I'd never really sell a watch but then again it's one of those things people might consider when purchasing a luxury or boutique watch.
If it's gonna be used for regular day-to-day use, I think people would relate to a Rolex or Omega a lot quickly than a Korsbek.
Nonetheless, I'm quite intrigued by the packaging and wish more watches came packaged like that.
Hello Shubs,
You've got to tell us where we can get a "brand new" Rolex Oyster PD for $3K.
Thanks,
heb
If I didn't have my heart set on a DOXA - this is where my $2K would be spent!
Brian,
A DOXA is pretty sweet too, I love their case shape.
-Jon
Spare 2k?
Right now I'd get a vintage Omega Speedmaster or a slightly used Seamaster. Or I'd get a used Rolex Explorer or Air King.
New: I'd get an Oris Carlos Costa diver.
I think I agree… although it looks very nice I think 2k is too much the Korsbek.
I forgot the other new purchase I've been checking out lately too: an auto Breitling Colt. Not too big, not too expensive: just right.
Sick watch. Sick price.
personally, i would probably go with a Ball. the green EM2 with all those tubes is a thing of beauty! Brietling has been on my list in that price range as well. while i, personally, wouldn't drop 2k on this Korsbek i do like it a lot and it would be high on my list if i were a dive watch kind of guy. i'm not a real big fan of Rolex but only because that's the brand everyone with money goes to. it's more of a status symbol than anything. 99% of people who see me in an Oris or a Hamilton (or the Ball if i ever pull the trigger on it) or whatever else have no idea what they are. if they were to see me in a Rolex.. well, i'm sure their first thought would be 'fake' as they're easily the most common fakes on the market. and once they realize it's real (if they ever did) then they would assume i bought it just to flash the name. but to each his own.
also, i don't think you're going to find a rolex perpetual date for less than $4k+. but then again, you may.
Well the price is not bad considering the HEV and the ETA 2892-A2, nice they used the upgraded version. Though to say the movement "is commonly thought to be on par with Rolex in-house movements" I would have to politely disagree.
Since we are talking divers I will compare it to the Rolex 3135 found in the Sub and SD. Both movements could keep similar time sitting in a winder all day and night, but that is not real world. The 3135 is much more robust at 6mm high vs 3.5mm on the ETA, much larger in size. The 3135 is free sprung secured by a bridge. The 3135 is a chronometer (COSC) which is regulated to -4/+6 seconds per day, the one in this Korsbek is not a chronometer. On average you can tack on another $500 in price for any watch that is COSC certified.
Sure can the ETA 2892-A2 run in COSC specs? Absolutely, but a bit of luck would be on your side. It could just as easily run +20 seconds per day which would be considered acceptable. I happen to have a watch with ETA 2892-A2 and it runs about +7, very pleased. I think the ETA 2892-A2 is a great movement and is proven, but it is not the work horse like the 3135 or comparable. Of course the 3135 can run out of spec, but it should not and can be sent in under warranty to be regulated at no charge.
Back to the watch at hand, it is a good value for the price considering many watches with the same features cost plenty more. Sorry for getting going a little of topic about movements, I did enjoy your review. Thank you.
Poul the owner has the movements regulated at Fricker before they ship, my Ocean explorer runs at 2-3sec plus each day, which is superb. The 2892 is a nice feature not seen that frequently in a beast of a dive watch. There is currently a sale at Korsbek, 1595.00USD shipped.
Honestly the best thing about Korsbek is the owner, he is an incredible gentleman and goes the extra mile to keep his clients happy, the best service/response I have experienced bar none.