Ventus Mori Review
I was lucky enough to get Elshan to pass me the final release prototype for a review. Probably the first few in the world to get hold of it as a customer. However, this colorway is not my own order, it belongs to my brother which he allows me to wear for a short while for the simple review.
First impression
When i received the watch, it was just the watch and its original sailcloth strap.
Was quite surprised of the weight, it pretty light, i guess brass is lighter than stainless steel. Went back and switch the sailcloth for nato strap.
PLS DON'T THRASH ME IF THE REVIEW IS NOOB. HEH
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x274/gaoxing84/IMG_0135_zpsurz5i9za.jpg[/IG]
[B]1. Case[/B]
The case is well machined with excellent finishing. The lugs are beveled and that is probably the only part of the case that is polished. The rest of the case are brushed and the brass gives a slight golden sheen, somehow like gold but less bling (somehow or rather, people who doesn’t know may mistake it for yellow gold). The case measures 41mm and I think its the perfect size for most wrist sizes. It sits comfortably on my 7.5 inch wrist. It feels very light, compared to a submariner 114060 of the same size. The case have hardly any sharp edges, except on the underside of the lugs which is pretty industry standard.
The only waiting game is for the brass to develop patina naturally (Well, you can force patina with some methods).
[IMG]http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x274/gaoxing84/IMG_0140_zpsnvsbxfkn.jpg[/IG]
[IMG]http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x274/gaoxing84/IMG_0142_zpsymahsg3q.jpg[/MG]
[IMG]http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x274/gaoxing84/IMG_0146_zpsxmlbd11c.jpg[/MG]
[B]2. Bezel and Insert[/B]
Since this is going to be a honest review, the bezel will be one of the two let downs of the watch. Turning the bezel can be fairly difficult because it very tight and rough. Maybe its meant to be so that won’t be any accidental turns when you’re diving, but there are people like me who likes to turn the bezel for fun, just to hear the ratcheting sounds. There is a slight play but that’s fine with me. I have worse play on my seiko mm300 and turtle.
However, stainless steel insert is pretty well made with lumed big triangle, 15, 30, 45 minute markers. It glows pretty well and matches the color and intensity of the lume on the dial. Let’s hope the brass bezel insert variant is as good as the stainless steel.
[B]3.Dial and Crystal[/B]
I got to review the black dial with vintage lumed markers. I have seen the blue dial in real life, I would consider it to be dark navy blue, slight noticeable difference unless under strong light.
The dial does not have any inscription on it except the triangle logo. It’s sandwich styled and all the markers are consistent in terms of the applied lumed, its not patchy like we see on some other brands. The markers are very legible even in dark settings. The lume shines strongly but loses its glow after a short while, with that said, I am still able to tell the time even halfway thru a movie in the cinema. The hour and minute hands are fully lumed while on the second hand is lumed only on a small rectangular box at far end of it. I am able to tell the time no matter which angle I looked at it. The sapphire crystal has a slight dome with blue inner AR coating.
Moving on to the other let down, that is the date window. I do appreciate the color coordination of the date wheel and the markers but its not very legible, well at least to me. At one glance, I am unable to tell the date as its very small cut out and it blends in too well with the dial and markers. I think the watch will look so much better without the date. (Maybe Ventus Mori could have a no-date variant sometime in the future and replace it will the 15min marker)
[IMG]http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x274/gaoxing84/Mobile%20Uploads/33AF3618-5239-4815-914B-D7EAE9C6138D_zpswgkzg51a.jpg
4.Strap
The sailcloth strap feels soft but some how it feels cheaply made. I think there is room for improvement on the original sailcloth strap. The tropic rubber and vintage leather strap is unavailable at the point of the review so I can’t comment on that. The sailcloth strap comes with a matching brass buckle as the watch which is really thoughtful, at least I can have the case and buckle develop patina at the same time.
Final thoughts
For a sub $300 dollar watch with a workhorse Seiko NH36 movement, brass case, 3 strap options, a well lumed dial and insert plus a domed sapphire crystal, I am able to look past the 2 shortcomings because I know I am definitely getting a lot more than the money I paid. I think its job well done by Elshan, Shane and their team over at Ventus. I am hoping I can see more affordable yet well made watches in the future from them.
