Crafter Blue isn’t a name that I knew much about before, so it was a pleasant surprise to open the presentation box of the Mechanic Ocean MkII and be confronted with a rather good looking dive watch. Of course, we all love to analyse watches to death – that’s why we’re here, after all – but the incontrovertible truth is that you normally make up your mind in the first couple of seconds, when it comes to watches as well as everything else in life.
But maybe the appeal of this particular timepiece shouldn’t have come as such a surprise, as Crafter Blue makes a speciality of dive watches: both creating them and also making straps for them (which are compatible with all the iconic dive watches you could imagine). In fact, the company is best known for its straps – but all that might be about to change, if what we see here is anything to judge by.
Reviewing the Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean MKII -
The Hong Kong-based firm actually makes a range of watches, but the Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean MkII is definitely the best-looking in an uncluttered and retro way. So it’s a strong first impression; the only thing that I personally don’t like is the brand name, which doesn’t particularly speak to me and feels like it takes up a bit too much space on the dial. In every other respect, this watch is reasonably minimalist; just like the very first dive watches from the 1950s and 60s. The design is strikingly simple, and the 41mm case actually feels quite slimline on the wrist; the whole aesthetic definitely leans into the much-loved skin diver genre – while maintaining a certain presence at the same time.
That’s thanks to the brushed and polished stainless steel case, the quality of which is evident at a glance, as well as an intriguing white graduated fumé dial (although you can get it just in plain black as well if you prefer, which is a bit more predictable). The white, for me, is the one to have by some margin but both watches ooze vintage appeal, without however compromising on thoroughly modern functionality.
For example, you’ve got the crown which is in a typically dive watch four o’clock position to aid free movement, surrounded by a chunky guard. In fact, the biggest triumph of this watch is that it somehow manages to look hewn-from-granite solid, while still showcasing a lightness of touch and wearability that would make it suitable for most occasions. A large part of that portability is due to the tried and trusted Miyota 9015 automatic movement, which is known for its slimness as well as reliability, and gives watch designers plenty of interesting options when it comes to packaging. In this case, Crafter Blue’s designers have got it just right, with all the right vintage dive watch vibes and adornments.
Form definitely follows function here though as this is a bona fide dive watch – Crafter Blue has even recruited a Hawaii-based underwater photographer, Shelby Hands, as a brand ambassador, and the company is also actively involved in several marine conservation and exploration projects.
The Mechanic Ocean MkII actually forms the entry level into Crafter Blue’s watches, but you still get 300 metres of water resistance and features such as a 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel, which is DLC-coated and riveted into place (part of that overall feeling of gratifying solidity that I mentioned earlier). The action of the bezel is a delight, with just the right compromise between give and firmness, while the blue pip at the top gives it a distinctive purposefulness, co-ordinating with the seconds hand and the lume.
Most importantly of all, the Mechanic Ocean MkII stands out as being instantly very easy to read, thanks to solid applied indices that are generously finished with Super Luminova, along with strong and precise hands that tell the time at a glance. In short, it's got that instant clarity that we should all take for granted on a watch like this, but in reality isn’t always easy to achieve.
As you might expect from a watch company that specialises in straps, the quality of the FKM curved rubber strap that comes with it is impressive – and of course, it’s very easy to switch it around with other straps. Forming a nice touch are the stainless steel end links that integrate seamlessly with the case, meaning no gaps and a snug fit on the wrist.
Perhaps the very best aspect of this watch though is the price. At less than £450 (by just one pound) the Crafter Blue represents absolutely stunning value and is practically in a class of its own: there are very few other brands that can give you a fully-automatic watch of this quality at the same sport of price point. For that, you get a piece that feels solid and versatile enough to wear every day as your only watch. You sort of wonder how they can do it at that price, and I’ve still not found any sensible answers beyond raising brand awareness. Given that people are starting to talk about Crafter Blue now, it’s a strategy that appears to be paying off.
In conclusion, this is a thoroughly excellent product: right up there with the very best of its rivals that cost more than twice the price. You just need to get over the brand name to really enjoy it. How many other times have you heard that in life, in very different contexts from cars to washing machines? But sometimes you need to dare to be different and focus on reality rather than image.
In that respect, the Mechanic Ocean MkII might be all set to become the thinking man’s dive watch, for those who prize value and functionality above labels and legacy. Heritage, after all, is something that no brand is ever born with: it has to be painstakingly created and nurtured. Seeing exactly what happens next – and how the market is going to react – will be fascinating.
