One of the wisest pieces of advice I was ever given at university was that: “you can never go wrong with gin.”
This was a valuable pearl of wisdom offered by a very seasoned drinker, in answer to the question that inevitably arises towards the end of every alcohol-soaked evening, when you have supped such a cornucopia of beverages that deciding what to drink next becomes a genuine brain teaser.
So many options! So many colours! So much excitement! It’s really not a dissimilar feeling to choosing your next watch. And then, the sensible, reassuring tones of my friend Carl, who would always say: “Just have a gin. You can never go wrong with gin.”
It’s a mantra I’ve clung to ever since, despite the fact that it’s been proved to be patently flawed on several occasions. Maybe that’s why I was pre-disposed to like the Second Hour Gin Clear Mk2 before even setting eyes on it. But we probably need to make one thing clear from the outset. The term "gin clear" actually refers to water of exceptional clarity – pure, transparent, and free of impurities – rather than alcoholic spirit, especially in this context. Yet for Second Hour, a bit like for me, it all started with gin.
Second Hour Gin Clear MK2
The Australian company actually named its very first watch the Gin Clear, presumably to emphasise themes such as clarity of purpose and quality. Nearly four years after its initial release, the Gin Clear returned in the form of the Mk2, bringing some thoughtful enhancements and a more refined design.
I’ve been looking at quite a few Second Hour watches recently, including the rectangular Memoir – which I liked a lot – and the Sattelberg (which I liked a bit less) but the Gin Clear is a watch that I hit it off with straight away. Like the Sattelberg, this is the second iteration of a watch that builds considerably upon the legacy of its predecessor.
This Gin Clear Mk2 fits firmly into the dedicated dive watch genre, and is suitably packed with all the right technical prerequisites. It offers 300 metres of water resistance (upgraded from the original’s 200 metres) and features a 120-click unidirectional bezel, with a glossy ceramic inset.
That bezel overhangs the case by about a millimetre and its serrated edge makes it extremely ‘clickable’; something you find yourself doing for fun on a regular basis. You won’t need a stress ball if you’ve got a Gin Clear Mk2.
Swiss BGW9 Super-LumiNova ensures great low-light visibility, thanks also to a flat scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with six layers of anti-reflective coating. The 1200Hv surface hardening treatment on the case and bracelet add durability. All these specifications make the Mk2 a robust tool watch, but it still manages to feel a bit more substantial than merely the sum of its parts.
Perhaps the most important element of the watch is the Swiss ETA 2824 movement with 38-hour power reserve that sits within, which needs no introduction when it comes to reliability and precision. There’s one absolutely surprising thing about the use of this movement, which I’ll come to in a moment.
That hardened stainless steel case feels chunky and robust, in 40mm size – which to my mind is more or less the perfect size for any watch. If anything, it feels slightly smaller than that on the wrist, perhaps thanks to the undercut design of the case shape. Compact dimensions of 47mm lug-to-lug and 12.25mm thickness make the watch universally wearable, ensuring comfort on nearly any wrist.
The dial design really stands out as well, with unique triangular markers at 12, four, and eight o’clock, featuring polished metal and dual lume sections. These three markers are the features that are probably most noticeable about the dial at first glance, drawing your eyes instinctively towards the hands, with the date window at six o’clock providing a nice element of symmetry.
Circular hour markers and those distinctive pencil-style hands enhance legibility, while red accents on the counter-weighted seconds hand, bezel, and crown add extra vibrancy. The glossy dial is also eye-catching, with a nice sheen to it, and the whole package just feels very well put together.
The overall aesthetic is a broadly familiar one: there’s a feeling of Rolex Submariner, Explorer 2, Tudor – as well as a few other watches that I could mention. But the Gin Clear also has a personality of its own, with the sort of attention to detail that’s reminiscent of those much more expensive models. The elaborate case back engraving, with a Hawksbill Turtle and wave pattern, is a case in point.
That feel-good impression carries through to the five-link bracelet design, which feels practical and solid. Quick-release spring bars simplify strap changes, while a micro-adjustment clasp with dual pushers makes it easier to find a perfect fit. The brushed and polished surfaces deliver cohesive visual flow, but this feels like a watch that would work very well on a variety of different straps: I could absolutely see it on a curved rubber white strap for instance, or on a dark blue sailcloth.
The choice of strap, of course, will depend somewhat on the dial colour. Four colours are available: Arctic White, Pastel Blue, Sunburst Black, and Ocean Sunset. To my mind the monochrome white or black options work best, but it’s good to have options.
In terms of what I don’t really like, it’s a relatively short list. I’m not a particular fan of the logo on the dial, but apart from that, there’s not much else.
And I’ll of course save the best until last, allowing Second Hour to pull its trump card. All this, including that excellent ETA movement, is yours for around £600: which makes the Gin Clear Mk2 a stunning value proposition. For that reason alone, as well as the aesthetics and wearability, it’s well worth a very serious look.
It’s been many years – and even more hangovers – since I left university, but maybe my friend Carl was right all along. You can never go wrong with gin.
