Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive watch [production]
Recently Todd at Karlskrona Watch Co sent me some production samples of the new Hemlig Mil Series watches. I know a lot of watch guys have been anticipating the release of these. From what Todd tells me, these watches are due to be released next month in October. There are four versions of the watch: Dive Bezel with & without date and GMT bezel with & without date.
I had a chance to handle the prototypes and these production watches turned out quite nice IMO. The bead blasted asymmetrical case is nicely machined and finished without any sharp edges. drilled lugs make changing straps a breeze. The 120 click bezel rotates smoothy although there is some backplay to the action. The fully lumed deep black ceramic bezel insert is is very well executed with crisp numbers & markers. Hands are traditional Mil-style ladder hands. The matte black dial is crisply printed with a "ghost" Karlskrona company logo that shows up in direct sunlight, (see photo). Overall lume on these production watches is exceptionally bright Super-LumiNova which appears to be C3.
The watches come supplied on a nice quality, heavy duty NATO strap with bead blasted hardware with custom etched Karlskrona logo. Also supplied with the watch is a nice quality black Bradystraps Sailcloth strap. The watch comes in a nice quality Leather zippered travel / storage case.
Specs:
• Depth rated to 300m
• Movement: Swiss Sellita SW200 [regulated]
• Case: 316L stainless steel, bead blasted finish
• Case diameter: 42.5 mm without crown, 49 mm lug to lug
• Overall height: 13 mm [including crystal]
• Lug width: 20 mm
• Dial: Black with matte finish
• Bezel: 120 click unidirectional rotation with ceramic insert
• Crystal: Domed sapphire, anti-reflective coated on the interior
• Lume: Super-LumiNova [green lume]
• Crown: 6.5 diameter, screwdown & signed
• Caseback: Screwdown, signed and numbered
• Straps: Nato with bead blasted hardware, Bradystraps original Sailcloth
The Hemlig watches seem to be a great quality, affordable alternative to other higher priced Mil style watches.
OK, enough info, let's get to the photos:
GMT Bezels
Dive Bezels
Karlskrona dial logo shows up in full sun
Group lume shot
Travel / storage case
Recently Todd at Karlskrona Watch Co sent me some production samples of the new Hemlig Mil Series watches. I know a lot of watch guys have been anticipating the release of these. From what Todd tells me, these watches are due to be released next month in October. There are four versions of the watch: Dive Bezel with & without date and GMT bezel with & without date.
I had a chance to handle the prototypes and these production watches turned out quite nice IMO. The bead blasted asymmetrical case is nicely machined and finished without any sharp edges. drilled lugs make changing straps a breeze. The 120 click bezel rotates smoothy although there is some backplay to the action. The fully lumed deep black ceramic bezel insert is is very well executed with crisp numbers & markers. Hands are traditional Mil-style ladder hands. The matte black dial is crisply printed with a "ghost" Karlskrona company logo that shows up in direct sunlight, (see photo). Overall lume on these production watches is exceptionally bright Super-LumiNova which appears to be C3.
The watches come supplied on a nice quality, heavy duty NATO strap with bead blasted hardware with custom etched Karlskrona logo. Also supplied with the watch is a nice quality black Bradystraps Sailcloth strap. The watch comes in a nice quality Leather zippered travel / storage case.
Specs:
• Depth rated to 300m
• Movement: Swiss Sellita SW200 [regulated]
• Case: 316L stainless steel, bead blasted finish
• Case diameter: 42.5 mm without crown, 49 mm lug to lug
• Overall height: 13 mm [including crystal]
• Lug width: 20 mm
• Dial: Black with matte finish
• Bezel: 120 click unidirectional rotation with ceramic insert
• Crystal: Domed sapphire, anti-reflective coated on the interior
• Lume: Super-LumiNova [green lume]
• Crown: 6.5 diameter, screwdown & signed
• Caseback: Screwdown, signed and numbered
• Straps: Nato with bead blasted hardware, Bradystraps original Sailcloth
The Hemlig watches seem to be a great quality, affordable alternative to other higher priced Mil style watches.
OK, enough info, let's get to the photos:
GMT Bezels
Dive Bezels
Karlskrona dial logo shows up in full sun
Group lume shot
Travel / storage case
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Ooh nice DEMO, and could there be a watch, or watches in this case that tick
all of the boxes in such a cool way?! You have the timeless style of the
watch alone, that wows you, and is perfected. However, then you get to choose
among a small fleet of variations to find that perfect version you might want !
Which is just extraordinary ! Seriously, with so many versions here to
choose from, there is something for everyone. Each one, with their own fantastic
feel, and personality.
Holy cow, Todd did an incredible job, and what an incredible review DEMO !!!
THX very very much !!
all of the boxes in such a cool way?! You have the timeless style of the
watch alone, that wows you, and is perfected. However, then you get to choose
among a small fleet of variations to find that perfect version you might want !
Which is just extraordinary ! Seriously, with so many versions here to
choose from, there is something for everyone. Each one, with their own fantastic
feel, and personality.
Holy cow, Todd did an incredible job, and what an incredible review DEMO !!!
THX very very much !!
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Nice Benrus Type I and Type II homage
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Damn it. Now I want one.
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Nice photos.
It might be the angle of the profile shot, but the bezel on the Hemlig appears to have a pretty flat profile while the bezel on the Benrus appears to curve down towards the sides of the case:
Is that actually the case, or is it just the way the Hemlig appears in the photos?
It might be the angle of the profile shot, but the bezel on the Hemlig appears to have a pretty flat profile while the bezel on the Benrus appears to curve down towards the sides of the case:
Is that actually the case, or is it just the way the Hemlig appears in the photos?
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
DEMO - Nice photos, as always!
Andrew - Good point. I hadn't noticed that before. It looks to me like the profile is flatter. I wonder if it will make the bezel easier to grip...
Andrew - Good point. I hadn't noticed that before. It looks to me like the profile is flatter. I wonder if it will make the bezel easier to grip...
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
The Hemlig bezel is flatter with more side surface for better grip.
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
It looks like the same case and bezel as all the other models, no?
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Ok.....I would love to get one of these benrus homages. Which one to get? MKII (lol- this century), This one, and I know there are others.....
ok guys....which one?
ok guys....which one?
Stan, don’t you know the first law of physics? Anything that’s fun costs at least eight dollars”
-- Eric Cartman
“To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Sandman
I bought a cheap watch from a crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says now
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And If I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
- Jimmy Buffett
-- Eric Cartman
“To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Sandman
I bought a cheap watch from a crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says now
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And If I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
- Jimmy Buffett
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
I'd personally go for the upcoming Benrus reissue since it will likely be closest to the original, but rumour has it that watch is going to be about 3x more expensive than this one.
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
They haven't announced a release date yet. They just keep saying 'soon'.streetracer101 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 4:06 pmWhen is that due for release? Their site sucks.
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Can I vote?
Seriously though, I believe my Hemlig is everything the MKII and others are and then some. At a fraction of the price.
Yes, I know... I am biased.
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
What exactly is the fraction of price?Bradystraps wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:22 pmCan I vote?
Seriously though, I believe my Hemlig is everything the MKII and others are and then some. At a fraction of the price.
Yes, I know... I am biased.
When can one be ordered?
Thanks!
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
namor wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:39 pmWhat exactly is the fraction of price?Bradystraps wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:22 pmCan I vote?
Seriously though, I believe my Hemlig is everything the MKII and others are and then some. At a fraction of the price.
Yes, I know... I am biased.
When can one be ordered?
Thanks!
Preorder is $395 + shipping. It closes on 9/30.
I’m not positive but I think the MKII is at least double that with a Japanese movement vs my Swiss.
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
The image on Benrus IG page has a clue...logan2z wrote:They haven't announced a release date yet. They just keep saying 'soon'.streetracer101 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 4:06 pmWhen is that due for release? Their site sucks.
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
That's a pretty good clue.hoppyjr wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:27 pmThe image on Benrus IG page has a clue...logan2z wrote:They haven't announced a release date yet. They just keep saying 'soon'.streetracer101 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 4:06 pmWhen is that due for release? Their site sucks.
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
So what’s the bod discount? Hint hint.Bradystraps wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 6:12 pmnamor wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:39 pmWhat exactly is the fraction of price?Bradystraps wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:22 pmCan I vote?
Seriously though, I believe my Hemlig is everything the MKII and others are and then some. At a fraction of the price.
Yes, I know... I am biased.
When can one be ordered?
Thanks!
Preorder is $395 + shipping. It closes on 9/30.
I’m not positive but I think the MKII is at least double that with a Japanese movement vs my Swiss.
Stan, don’t you know the first law of physics? Anything that’s fun costs at least eight dollars”
-- Eric Cartman
“To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Sandman
I bought a cheap watch from a crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says now
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And If I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
- Jimmy Buffett
-- Eric Cartman
“To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Sandman
I bought a cheap watch from a crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says now
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And If I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
- Jimmy Buffett
Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
These came out really nice, the price is really good, I wish I could afford one. Wait, maybe I can sell some of my other watches...
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
These came out nice Todd
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Indeed.logan2z wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 8:08 pmThat's a pretty good clue.hoppyjr wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:27 pmThe image on Benrus IG page has a clue...logan2z wrote:They haven't announced a release date yet. They just keep saying 'soon'.streetracer101 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 4:06 pmWhen is that due for release? Their site sucks.
Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
Paradive side bezel shot
Blackwater side bezel shot
And marathon steel navigator bezel shot
Blackwater side bezel shot
And marathon steel navigator bezel shot
DEATH FROM ABOVE
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Re: Karlskrona Hemlig Mil Series - 300m Dive Watch [production]
My goal with the Hemlig was to create an homage to a watch I absolutely love while including a few modern aspects I think are improvements, including a flatter bezel to improve grip and ease of functionality. I also wanted it to incorporate some of my own design elements.