New Diver ... but you can't have one :p (Orsa Sea Viper)
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:46 pm
... well, okay, I think Berg will let you go put a deposit on one 
. Only in pre-order stage now I believe.
I had the opportunity to photo Orsa's new Sea Viper hot off the proverbial presses just last week. Not affiliated with them, just do some photo work.
I tried to give the Orsa some tough love and be critical, but honestly there are not many nits I could find to pick with this watch. Bergs designs like the Sea Angler and the Monstrum are the dive watch equivalent of pounding in a finishing nail with a 20 pound sledge. This is seemingly the evolutionary next step after the Monstrum.
A lot of what I observed is simply a matter of personal taste and not an issue of execution. I try below to give some impartial opinions.
The Case: I never ever liked curved cases. I don't own any. This is a departure from the square look of the Monstrum and Angler for example ... and the types of designs I usually gravitate towards. I really really like the look of these. This case may have changed my mind. The curvature accelerates rapidly away from the bezel both front and back, almost creating a deep "bowl" effect hard to capture in photos at the underside. This is offset by the proudness of the caseback making it comfy to wear and sit well on the wrist. The curvature makes the overall watch conform to your shape. Above that, I mostly I noticed the way the case FELT. There are NO sharp edges anywhere and the brushing is what I would term "very fine". There is no roughness to the brush as it feels kind of like silk. Fits to all adjacent components is excellent. Really Excellent. This case is top drawer.
The New Crown: WOW! I love them ... so mechanical looking and "valve-like". A really sturdy look that is smooth and robust feeling in its operation. Screws down nicely without that "searching" for the first thread that sometimes occurs. Thank you, thank you, thank you for having these deeply engraved with the logo and not simply acid-etched. A nice touch that the overall crown shape kind of mimics the shape of the complete watch.
The Bezel: I think the Bezels turned out AWESOME. They line right up and 120 clicks really gives a nice feel. Orsa gets extra points on the blue for not only adding an orange minute hand, but adding the orange ring to the bezel. The shape slopes nicely with the case. The fit is superb, the quality of the PVD, paint, and finish, outstanding, although some will be disappointed that the white numerals on the bezel are not lumed. That being said the colored numerals match the dials perfectly.
The Dials: Personally I LOVE the vibrant colors! They do look just like the intended design. Sometimes the details get lost in production. I didn't expect the chapter ring and actually like that best on the orange. The lume is exceptional (as it is on the hands). The Blue is really striking and the kind of monochromatic orange and black gives the other a "doxaesqe" feel ... in a good way.
The Crystal: I was a little disappointed that the crystal is completely flat. I expected it to match the soft curve and continue the bezel shape ... just a slight dome. I am also a huge fan of double AR, but I do understand that this is not for everybody ... people seem to be split about 50 / 50. Double AR would really make these dials POP.
The Hands: I am a HUGE fan of chunky stubby hands. This is a home run!After seeing these it occurs to me that I don't think I have ever seen a square pip on a second hand before (except for maybe Doxa). I like the proportion of the ORSA better. I saw it in the design, but it plays much better in real life. For my money Orsa has always had some of the nicest hands in the business and these do not disappoint.
The Caseback: What can I say about it that hasn't already been said. People fell in love with this design the moment Berg showed it. I don't think a single person had any criticism. It is executed perfectly. Equal to, or better than the Monstrum, and that is really saying something. The Monstrum was one of the greatest casebacks of all time.
Finally, The Bracelet: THANK YOU for finally making an Orsa bracelet
. My first reaction upon inspection was that they were too light. After handling the watches for a while I must say I think they are just right. I thought 22mm was a little small on the Monstrum ... this looks in proportion to the watch. The first think you will likely notice tho is a really nice tight fit to the case. A nearly undetectable uniform gap with solid end links give a SUPERB fit to the case. Some folks may criticize that the case bracelet holes and not drilled through the lugs. It does detract from the look but does make strap changes easier. The buckle is nice and once again, deeply engraved, not acid etched. It would be nice to have a divers extension, but the lack of it only slightly detracts from a really stellar metal bracelet.
I'll shut up now ant let the pics do the talking ... I think Berg and Orsa definetly have something to be proud of here. It is hard to really describe in words how much I felt the build quality of these watchs was truly something special.
. Only in pre-order stage now I believe.I had the opportunity to photo Orsa's new Sea Viper hot off the proverbial presses just last week. Not affiliated with them, just do some photo work.
I tried to give the Orsa some tough love and be critical, but honestly there are not many nits I could find to pick with this watch. Bergs designs like the Sea Angler and the Monstrum are the dive watch equivalent of pounding in a finishing nail with a 20 pound sledge. This is seemingly the evolutionary next step after the Monstrum.
A lot of what I observed is simply a matter of personal taste and not an issue of execution. I try below to give some impartial opinions.
The Case: I never ever liked curved cases. I don't own any. This is a departure from the square look of the Monstrum and Angler for example ... and the types of designs I usually gravitate towards. I really really like the look of these. This case may have changed my mind. The curvature accelerates rapidly away from the bezel both front and back, almost creating a deep "bowl" effect hard to capture in photos at the underside. This is offset by the proudness of the caseback making it comfy to wear and sit well on the wrist. The curvature makes the overall watch conform to your shape. Above that, I mostly I noticed the way the case FELT. There are NO sharp edges anywhere and the brushing is what I would term "very fine". There is no roughness to the brush as it feels kind of like silk. Fits to all adjacent components is excellent. Really Excellent. This case is top drawer.
The New Crown: WOW! I love them ... so mechanical looking and "valve-like". A really sturdy look that is smooth and robust feeling in its operation. Screws down nicely without that "searching" for the first thread that sometimes occurs. Thank you, thank you, thank you for having these deeply engraved with the logo and not simply acid-etched. A nice touch that the overall crown shape kind of mimics the shape of the complete watch.
The Bezel: I think the Bezels turned out AWESOME. They line right up and 120 clicks really gives a nice feel. Orsa gets extra points on the blue for not only adding an orange minute hand, but adding the orange ring to the bezel. The shape slopes nicely with the case. The fit is superb, the quality of the PVD, paint, and finish, outstanding, although some will be disappointed that the white numerals on the bezel are not lumed. That being said the colored numerals match the dials perfectly.
The Dials: Personally I LOVE the vibrant colors! They do look just like the intended design. Sometimes the details get lost in production. I didn't expect the chapter ring and actually like that best on the orange. The lume is exceptional (as it is on the hands). The Blue is really striking and the kind of monochromatic orange and black gives the other a "doxaesqe" feel ... in a good way.
The Crystal: I was a little disappointed that the crystal is completely flat. I expected it to match the soft curve and continue the bezel shape ... just a slight dome. I am also a huge fan of double AR, but I do understand that this is not for everybody ... people seem to be split about 50 / 50. Double AR would really make these dials POP.
The Hands: I am a HUGE fan of chunky stubby hands. This is a home run!After seeing these it occurs to me that I don't think I have ever seen a square pip on a second hand before (except for maybe Doxa). I like the proportion of the ORSA better. I saw it in the design, but it plays much better in real life. For my money Orsa has always had some of the nicest hands in the business and these do not disappoint.
The Caseback: What can I say about it that hasn't already been said. People fell in love with this design the moment Berg showed it. I don't think a single person had any criticism. It is executed perfectly. Equal to, or better than the Monstrum, and that is really saying something. The Monstrum was one of the greatest casebacks of all time.
Finally, The Bracelet: THANK YOU for finally making an Orsa bracelet
. My first reaction upon inspection was that they were too light. After handling the watches for a while I must say I think they are just right. I thought 22mm was a little small on the Monstrum ... this looks in proportion to the watch. The first think you will likely notice tho is a really nice tight fit to the case. A nearly undetectable uniform gap with solid end links give a SUPERB fit to the case. Some folks may criticize that the case bracelet holes and not drilled through the lugs. It does detract from the look but does make strap changes easier. The buckle is nice and once again, deeply engraved, not acid etched. It would be nice to have a divers extension, but the lack of it only slightly detracts from a really stellar metal bracelet.I'll shut up now ant let the pics do the talking ... I think Berg and Orsa definetly have something to be proud of here. It is hard to really describe in words how much I felt the build quality of these watchs was truly something special.
Thanks for sharing. 
. Same bezel as the orange:
Still not for me, i've played the ORSA game and really dont fell like doing it again!