Dave! Thank you so much for taking the time to review the Origin. All points noted, we will definitely be making watches #2, #3, #4 etc into the future, so you can expect more new designs from us then. All the best, Jody
Hi Jody, love your channel and wish you every success with your product lines. For me the Origin has great specs and a horrible appearance. Although having different price points and different functions, (indeed, nothing much more in common than being automatic watches), when I compare the compare the elegance of the new Seiko Alpinist GMT with the Origins indices that resemble amazon shipping boxes I feel a new approach could be considered.
I ordered the purple with strap pack. Can’t go wrong and as a long time fan of Jody’s channel, for a watch that will fill a spot in my collection that hasn’t been filled, it felt good to be able support him, just as it did when I bought by Orange dial Mako 3 from you Dave!
Bought all 8! Half flati link half rounded. 2 black strap packs and one blue. The managing partner reached out within 1/2 of an hour to get my shirt size so they could throw in a couple tee shirts. Looking forward to getting these!
Great review, yes it does remind me of Helm's design. Being able to hear the designer's rationale (Jody) for everything on the Erebus Origin is unique; and it seems to me there isn't anything that comes close to the Origin as far as what you're getting for your money. The more I see it, the more I like it - it's "on the list".
I like Jody and I like the watch, but not enough to buy one. I build my own as well as buy really interesting ones, so despite all the boxes being ticked, this just didn't quite excite me enough to buy.
I preordered the red version with H-link bracelet and straps a few weeks ago. Can't wait to get it! By the way, I agree with everything you said about the watch. It is certainly not a "groundbreaking" design, and there's not much refinement to the case, but it is well balanced, perfectly sized, and does offer some excellent features. Personally I love the textured dials, the date at 6:00, the size and shape of the hands and markers, the dial colour choices, the lug width and lug-to-lug dimensions and the fact that there are no polished surfaces. Generally speaking I'm not a big fan of polished surfaces on tool watches, so this feature suits me fine. I agree that the crown could use some work, and find the crown guards a little too big for the crown. The lugs could also use a little more refinement. Having said this, how much more can we expect for $299?!? This is a FANTASTIC offering, and I commend Jody and his business partner most profusely on their awesome achievement here! Thank you for your review!
I got the teal on the flat link bracelet with the extra straps. I'm glad you mentioned the design of the hands and the way they perfectly line up with the dial indices... That's my favorite feature!
Just received mine today. Black and full production. I've been lurking to see how these turned out and I decided to pull the trigger in 2024. I wanted to see what others thought before I did. Thanks for putting this review out there it was one of them that helped me decide. Ordered it on Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday which was amazing for shipment from Sydney to Wisconsin USA. I got the curved H-link and they did improve it as it no longer keeps that rounded shape and falls flat to the wrist. I am very impressed by how much value they were able to put into this watch! Very impressed and thrilled to have it! Also great to see you doing this from Japan! I am originally from the Yokosuka area!
what kills it for me is the distribution - I live in europe and for 300€ I can either have a phoibos with free 2 day shipping from EU warehouse or an erebus with 35$ shipping fee + 23% tax so the total is around 406$, not to mention having to deal with custom duties
The first question every one should ask is if this watch was made by anybody other than Jody will you buy? or the reviewers reviewing this watch just like any others?. I think this watch review is the probably most honest review of all the reviewers that the watch was send out to. Most reviewers just gave it a strong pass cause its Jodys, the most important reason people buy a watch specially a microbrand watch is that it connects with them ofcourse the more features and specs it has the better and not the other way around. I have a great respect for Jody for what he has brought to the microbrand watch review space and lots of watch enthusiasts like me have learned a lot from his reviews, having said that i wish he put more emphasis on the design and not just on having specs that check a lot of checkboxes and let his fan, follower base take it forward. Dave gave a really good review emphasizing the design of the Erebus Origin than any other as every reviewer should. I am pretty sure Jody will put his creative and design hat on for his next watch and i hope to see an amazing design which ofcourse always checks more boxes. I wish him all the very best for this new venture in his watch career. Thanks Dave for a true great review.
Good comment. Completely agree, Dave wasn’t afraid of speaking his mind in this review and being more objective than the other reviews I’ve seen but at the same time being positive and constructive. Best review by far.
I do think it is a good watch for the $. The lume is pretty good, plus the lume on the bezel is a nice touch. The tool less mirco adjust is nice, the quick change feature is nothing to write home about and I would have no desire to change the bracelet but a neat feature I guess. Not all watches at $300 have Sapphire and the texture on the face is cool plus the bezel action seems to be better then seiko. I lost everything recently including all my watchs besides my bulova chrono and dont have a diver so I've been watching alot of videos on them and its between this and the seiko padi in blue. That being said I agree this is a bit boring especially if you already have a diver or two but I don't have any at the moment and this seems like a solid choice the bracelet seems slightly better or at least on par with seiko and the bezel seems better, plus thay bezel lume is very cool. I forgot how the second hand box perfectly matches the inlays on the watch, again not ground breaking or anything but a very nice touch IMO also the logo is pretty cool, not a reason it pick this watch over something else but all those things added up I'd say its a great deal in my opinion but not sort of boring if you already have a couple divers
You can make some people happy all the time, and you can make everyone happy some of the time… With that said, the only thing I don’t like about the watch is that I think the hands are too fat which is why I got the white dial. Thanks for the great review!
I got the White with the H-Link (Black is my favorite color, but I'm a sucker for a good white dial. Would have loved a deep dark green with sunburst effect too.)
Drunk preordered the blue one the night it came out. Now sobered up, but really looking forward to see what it looks like when it'll come in. Could have done much worst...
Great review! I understand your niggles about the design, but as a Sinn fan, this one hits the spot for me. I love the textured dial as I don't have one in my collection. I have the blue with the rounded bracelet on order and am excited to receive it!
Fellow Sinn fan and I ordered the same blue with rounded bracelet. Considering two of my grail watches are the blue Pelagos and Sinn 105, this is basically the perfect mashup/homage of those two designs. Everyone has been saying "uninspiring" and "bland", but I've been drooling over the design since I first saw it. It checks the boxes perfectly for me.
I am so happy for Jody! 😎👍🏼 I truly hope he has continued success with this endeavour. What I specifically like is the design of the dial in relation to the hands, mostly the second hand 🤩
Great review, Wanting to back a couple of Aussies I went for an Orgin in orange and blue. A black or white would have been too close to the HELM Vanuatu and Kkuraburi I have already
I’ve gone with the black version. Wanted a tool watch and black is the ultimate tool colour. They’ve released photos of the revised curved H link bracelet. Still looks as good but now has a lot more articulation similar to the flat link.
Ordered mine: black version with flat link bracelet. This is going to be an excellent tool watch! Plus I love Jody and want him to succeed with his new endeavor!
Already preordered mine - I went for blue with the flat link bracelet purely because I don't have any other blue watches and I already have one with a very similar H link bracelet. Keen to see how it goes, I'm super excited to get it!
I came very close to ordering one. But 41mm is probably just a bit bigger than I like considering the large dial design. Looking forward to seeing more from Jody.
I think that the NH35 allows you to have a more balanced watch at a very good price. For a first watch it's great. Unfortuately I'm "financially challanged" right not so I won't be getting it, which is a shame. Love the orange, and the purple with black bezel.
The white looks okay but I already have a white diver. For me the crown is an issue in that the ribs differ too much from the bezel. The adjustable clasp is a great addition. Apart from that I hope to check out future models.
I got mine last week and absolutely adore it. Jody might have played it “safe” for his first watch, but he didn’t skimp at all. Looking forward to many adventures with my Erebus Origin!
Hey Dave, great review of Jody’s legitimately awesome debut effort. I love that you called out the Helm and Sinn influences in the design language. I saw it immediately when Jody did the unveiling at JOMW and I really liked it (love my Helm, dream of a Sinn). Anyway, thanks for the great coverage.
I think it's great . The black dial looked super on you . I'm really liking the black , orange and Stephanie blue but the yellow and white are nice as well .
Nice looking watch, but the first thing I noticed was that the lugs look too blocky and squared off. I also prefer the looks of the H-link bracelet, but if it's a hair-puller, that won't fly. I actually like the textured dial, not having one in my collection currently. The lume looks good, and the quick adjust clasp is a fantastic inclusion at this price point. I don't think I'll be ordering one, but it got my attention.
I feel bad for Jody's business partner, "Mr. P" / Steven Parker, because he doesn't get the credit he deserves. He *AND* Jody created the brand and the watches, not *JUST* Jody! Also, the bracelets are both H-link. One's just a "curved" H-link and the other a flat H-link (as you've already stated). Nonetheless, I preordered the white version with flat link bracelet and the strap pack. I'm really looking forward to finally wearing it!
Like thetattedpharmacist, I have ordered a purple with flat bracelet (6.5" wrist) & strap pack. I have been collecting for 20 years so don't have many colourful watches nor an excess of NH35 movements. I'd have preferred a 37-39mm version in titanium but know that's not a mainstream choice & I have a few dive watches like that already. I'd pick you going for Jody's choice of black dial & the H link bracelet with your wrist size & taste. Please do a video to let us all know when you decide.
Great review. Although you are a big fan of Jody and JOMW I really appreciate your objective/unbiased opinion about the watch. Also I agree with you about the design but actually the more I look at this watch the more it is growing on me. Ps I know Jody is quite OCD about things like design balance on the dial so I love the way he has made the second hand align perfectly with the markers and either turn them into rectangles or squares as it goes past the markers - really nice touch.
It’s nice. But my one deal breaker is the size of the clasp. Some will love the on the fly adjustability it offers but I prefer small three micro adjust clasps that don’t feel bulky or obtrusive when I put my hand down on a table. I know not everyone will agree and that’s ok, and for Jody’s sake I hope I’m in the minority
I've gone for the white with the H link and a strap pack. If it hadn't been Jody's watch I wouldn't have bought it. The design is generic but it's fully loaded and we're hoping it's well executed . I think Jody said he had to go for a diver as his first venture as it's such a popular format. Originality with mass appeal is very difficult to achieve in a mature field like watchmaking. There are people sat in Geneva earning tens of thousands of CHF to come up with something new and they still churn out Seamaster Speedmaster Submariner because that's what sells 😀
Awesome review, Dave. There is no such thing as the perfect watch, otherwise we'd probably only have a single watch! I really like the utilitarian look of this watch, so I've order the blue with curved h-link bracelet and the strap pack.
I think the Rolex Oyster perpetual is probably the closest thing. It's a lovely size at 36mm. It's sporty, but also quite dressy for a sports watch. Super classy and elegant looking. Clean dial with no date window or anything. Get a neutral colour and its a watch that goes with pretty much anything you wear. It's only £5k new too.
I want to order one so badly but can’t decide on which color. I’m leaning between the black or yellow ones but just can’t decide. I wish I could just buy all the colors but that’s not practical. So I made up my mind during the pre-order process and chose the black dial and strap pack. I can’t wait to get it in my hands and on my wrist.
The watch looks nice and definatelly something I will order. I love affordable watches and have a lot of them. My eyesight isn't great for close up stuff and the only thing I hate is 99% of the time I can't read the day/date without the use of glasses or a date magnifier. I only have 2 suggestions. When possible bring this watch out with day/date not just date and also add a magnifier.
Was tempted by the red and despite the value for money being excellent the absolute level of the price seems high for Just One More Watch in my collection. It's just too similar to several of my stable which I paid much less of on Ali. The big hands are cool...but in the end I passed.
Looking forward to getting mine in! I went with the orange as I like the black date window and the blocks around on the hands. Sure the design is safe but as you pointed out, it’s packed with specifications as you would expect. I have the original Zelos swordfish, and they did the same type of thing. I’d say that business model worked out for them.!
The perfect daily driver in the tool space. A true spec monster that deliveres massive value for money at this price point. Would have preferred 40mm or under as a point of personal preference but the flat link option sold me to put in my order.
My track record on choosing watch dial colours from photos /videos is dreadful but with he Origin I think the Blue is best because of the matching bezel.
This design reminds me of the Matterhorn Divemaster 300. Overall, the Matterhorn has a little better specs, same dimensions, but with a Miyota 9015 or 9039 movement and 300 meters of water resistance at around $330. The improvement I see in this Erebus is the on the fly adjustment clasp, which is great! I think I like the white dial one.
I agree with you about the watch looking kind of unrefined and plain-it's just missing something. I love the hour markers and the second hand, along with the feature set for the price! I think the lack of a rehaut, combined with the flat crystal, really sends that feeling home.
Thanks for your review! We (your fans) respect your opinion. I thought it was fun that you kind of mirrored the JOMW review style in several spots. I am happy with this watch, as is. I have other watches in my very modest collection that are not as good as the Erebus Origin. I ordered the basic black, with the H bracelet, tho as soon as it arrives I will put it on a nylon strap or a Watch Steward strap. (Not a bracelet fan) I also like the blue colorway, thinking that it looks similar to a blue used by a Swiss company making watches for the Marine Nationale. Maybe I will wait for Erebus to make a titanium dive watch to get a blue one.
Thanks for maybe the best most honest review on these watches! I watched a different review yesterday and it was literally an add for the watch! If I had not just ordered a Swordfish double mop from Zelos I might have ordered the Black version. The key to future success is how reasonable the price increase on these will be. ( Helm keeps there’s around $300 so it can be done! I’m on there waiting list over 2000 people in front of me) Overall it’s hard to beat Zelos for cost or in this price comparison, case finishing. I think the origin only has the edge in layers of anti reflective coating.
I narrowed it down to white or black pretty quick because of the accent color only they have. Most of my dive watches have dark dials, so I went white. If the teal or orange had navy accents, I would have been deciding between those.
I frickin LOVE that H link bracelet. I just wish the lug tips had a rounded edge to match the rounded corners in the middle links. I agree, to me they feel a tiny bit too wide. Saying all that though, Im still going to order one :)
The crown knurling needs to better match the bezel knurling. Everything else is great for a very legible well lumed tool watch and everything I look for.
I like Jody's channel and his reviews, and it's great to see him branching out and co-designing watches. However: The energy was spent on the face, and the case is to crudely shaped and brushed. For instance, the lug horns don't work with the bracelet, so the bracelet looks after market. More taper, please. The crown guards look spiky and unpleasant. The bezel is well matched to the dial sizewise, but the font is somewhat squeezed and precise in contrast to the blocky square hour markers, which makes the insert look generic and after market. The design sits between two chairs. Is it an easy wearing piece with AP-style bracelet or a rugged, blocky beater? Choose one. Good to see a no chapter ring diver, by the way. Very legible.
I have a collection of dive watches (Swiss, German, Japanese) and I think: This one has it all. My favourite is the black one - design is perfect, I like the edgy note. If I had a wish: Bracelet with screws instead of pins, that would also bring it ahead of Seiko and Citizen.
Subscribed. Best review of the watch I’ve seen so far. Fair and even handed and noticed the second hand interaction with the minute and hour markers! I went for one as they’re doing a great looking yellow version. Flat link for me.
Dave! Thank you so much for taking the time to review the Origin. All points noted, we will definitely be making watches #2, #3, #4 etc into the future, so you can expect more new designs from us then. All the best, Jody
I like the design. I just want a smaller variant. 38mm or 39mm would be nice.
Hi Jody,
love your channel and wish you every success with your product lines. For me the Origin has great specs and a horrible appearance. Although having different price points and different functions, (indeed, nothing much more in common than being automatic watches), when I compare the compare the elegance of the new Seiko Alpinist GMT with the Origins indices that resemble amazon shipping boxes I feel a new approach could be considered.
Jody you have the worst timing. (For me personally... I just lost my job)... But I promise you, once I get another job, I'll be buying your stuff!
It’s a great first watch Jody, but I already have plenty of divers. I dress watch at 39/40mm would interest me more
Looking forward to the next design from yours, last watch I bought was a diver so I will pass on this release
I ordered the purple with strap pack. Can’t go wrong and as a long time fan of Jody’s channel, for a watch that will fill a spot in my collection that hasn’t been filled, it felt good to be able support him, just as it did when I bought by Orange dial Mako 3 from you Dave!
You and I placed the exact same order for the exact same reasons.
✌️💜⌚
Bought all 8! Half flati link half rounded. 2 black strap packs and one blue. The managing partner reached out within 1/2 of an hour to get my shirt size so they could throw in a couple tee shirts. Looking forward to getting these!
And BTW I like the white best in pictures anyway.
Bought all 8 colours?
@@frankdux5693 Yes!
I figured I'd give orange a go. Jody has a good eye for color so if I was ever going to do orange, might as well be this one :)
Great review, yes it does remind me of Helm's design. Being able to hear the designer's rationale (Jody) for everything on the Erebus Origin is unique; and it seems to me there isn't anything that comes close to the Origin as far as what you're getting for your money. The more I see it, the more I like it - it's "on the list".
I like Jody and I like the watch, but not enough to buy one. I build my own as well as buy really interesting ones, so despite all the boxes being ticked, this just didn't quite excite me enough to buy.
Ordered 4 - for gifts and myself. Black, Red, Teal and Blue. Jody is such a class act and I wish him so much success.
I preordered the red version with H-link bracelet and straps a few weeks ago. Can't wait to get it! By the way, I agree with everything you said about the watch. It is certainly not a "groundbreaking" design, and there's not much refinement to the case, but it is well balanced, perfectly sized, and does offer some excellent features. Personally I love the textured dials, the date at 6:00, the size and shape of the hands and markers, the dial colour choices, the lug width and lug-to-lug dimensions and the fact that there are no polished surfaces. Generally speaking I'm not a big fan of polished surfaces on tool watches, so this feature suits me fine. I agree that the crown could use some work, and find the crown guards a little too big for the crown. The lugs could also use a little more refinement. Having said this, how much more can we expect for $299?!? This is a FANTASTIC offering, and I commend Jody and his business partner most profusely on their awesome achievement here! Thank you for your review!
Was waiting for your review to make my decision, you have some of the best visual shots on TH-cam.
I got the teal on the flat link bracelet with the extra straps. I'm glad you mentioned the design of the hands and the way they perfectly line up with the dial indices... That's my favorite feature!
Just received mine today. Black and full production. I've been lurking to see how these turned out and I decided to pull the trigger in 2024. I wanted to see what others thought before I did. Thanks for putting this review out there it was one of them that helped me decide. Ordered it on Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday which was amazing for shipment from Sydney to Wisconsin USA. I got the curved H-link and they did improve it as it no longer keeps that rounded shape and falls flat to the wrist. I am very impressed by how much value they were able to put into this watch! Very impressed and thrilled to have it! Also great to see you doing this from Japan! I am originally from the Yokosuka area!
I am a great fan of your watch reviews. They’re highly informative, your style is refreshing, and I trust your objectivity. Thanks!
what kills it for me is the distribution - I live in europe and for 300€ I can either have a phoibos with free 2 day shipping from EU warehouse or an erebus with 35$ shipping fee + 23% tax so the total is around 406$, not to mention having to deal with custom duties
Love the texture to the dial and I think the orange is a real winner. Fully fledged tool watch in my opinion and I think they've nailed it
The first question every one should ask is if this watch was made by anybody other than Jody will you buy? or the reviewers reviewing this watch just like any others?. I think this watch review is the probably most honest review of all the reviewers that the watch was send out to. Most reviewers just gave it a strong pass cause its Jodys, the most important reason people buy a watch specially a microbrand watch is that it connects with them ofcourse the more features and specs it has the better and not the other way around. I have a great respect for Jody for what he has brought to the microbrand watch review space and lots of watch enthusiasts like me have learned a lot from his reviews, having said that i wish he put more emphasis on the design and not just on having specs that check a lot of checkboxes and let his fan, follower base take it forward. Dave gave a really good review emphasizing the design of the Erebus Origin than any other as every reviewer should. I am pretty sure Jody will put his creative and design hat on for his next watch and i hope to see an amazing design which ofcourse always checks more boxes. I wish him all the very best for this new venture in his watch career. Thanks Dave for a true great review.
Good comment. Completely agree, Dave wasn’t afraid of speaking his mind in this review and being more objective than the other reviews I’ve seen but at the same time being positive and constructive. Best review by far.
I do think it is a good watch for the $. The lume is pretty good, plus the lume on the bezel is a nice touch. The tool less mirco adjust is nice, the quick change feature is nothing to write home about and I would have no desire to change the bracelet but a neat feature I guess. Not all watches at $300 have Sapphire and the texture on the face is cool plus the bezel action seems to be better then seiko. I lost everything recently including all my watchs besides my bulova chrono and dont have a diver so I've been watching alot of videos on them and its between this and the seiko padi in blue. That being said I agree this is a bit boring especially if you already have a diver or two but I don't have any at the moment and this seems like a solid choice the bracelet seems slightly better or at least on par with seiko and the bezel seems better, plus thay bezel lume is very cool. I forgot how the second hand box perfectly matches the inlays on the watch, again not ground breaking or anything but a very nice touch IMO also the logo is pretty cool, not a reason it pick this watch over something else but all those things added up I'd say its a great deal in my opinion but not sort of boring if you already have a couple divers
You can make some people happy all the time, and you can make everyone happy some of the time… With that said, the only thing I don’t like about the watch is that I think the hands are too fat which is why I got the white dial. Thanks for the great review!
I like the all-brushed no polished look. I ordered the black model.
Thanks Dave. Appreciate the review very much. Very fair!
I got the White with the H-Link (Black is my favorite color, but I'm a sucker for a good white dial. Would have loved a deep dark green with sunburst effect too.)
Drunk preordered the blue one the night it came out. Now sobered up, but really looking forward to see what it looks like when it'll come in. Could have done much worst...
Great review! I understand your niggles about the design, but as a Sinn fan, this one hits the spot for me. I love the textured dial as I don't have one in my collection. I have the blue with the rounded bracelet on order and am excited to receive it!
Fellow Sinn fan and I ordered the same blue with rounded bracelet. Considering two of my grail watches are the blue Pelagos and Sinn 105, this is basically the perfect mashup/homage of those two designs. Everyone has been saying "uninspiring" and "bland", but I've been drooling over the design since I first saw it. It checks the boxes perfectly for me.
I am so happy for Jody! 😎👍🏼
I truly hope he has continued success with this endeavour.
What I specifically like is the design of the dial in relation to the hands, mostly the second hand 🤩
Terrific review! Thoughtful, thorough, fair.
Great review, Wanting to back a couple of Aussies I went for an Orgin in orange and blue. A black or white would have been too close to the HELM Vanuatu and Kkuraburi I have already
I’ve gone with the black version. Wanted a tool watch and black is the ultimate tool colour. They’ve released photos of the revised curved H link bracelet. Still looks as good but now has a lot more articulation similar to the flat link.
Ordered mine: black version with flat link bracelet. This is going to be an excellent tool watch! Plus I love Jody and want him to succeed with his new endeavor!
Already preordered mine - I went for blue with the flat link bracelet purely because I don't have any other blue watches and I already have one with a very similar H link bracelet. Keen to see how it goes, I'm super excited to get it!
I came very close to ordering one. But 41mm is probably just a bit bigger than I like considering the large dial design. Looking forward to seeing more from Jody.
38mm is my golden zone.
Great, comprehensive review. I agree pretty much with your observations. Specs are terrific for the money.
I think that the NH35 allows you to have a more balanced watch at a very good price.
For a first watch it's great. Unfortuately I'm "financially challanged" right not so I won't be getting it, which is a shame.
Love the orange, and the purple with black bezel.
I'm going with the blue version.
The white looks okay but I already have a white diver. For me the crown is an issue in that the ribs differ too much from the bezel. The adjustable clasp is a great addition. Apart from that I hope to check out future models.
I got mine last week and absolutely adore it. Jody might have played it “safe” for his first watch, but he didn’t skimp at all. Looking forward to many adventures with my Erebus Origin!
"Let's flip the camera and get into it..." heh. Nice touch :)
Hey Dave, great review of Jody’s legitimately awesome debut effort. I love that you called out the Helm and Sinn influences in the design language. I saw it immediately when Jody did the unveiling at JOMW and I really liked it (love my Helm, dream of a Sinn). Anyway, thanks for the great coverage.
Yes its got helm but most importantly Tudor Pelagos in it. If you look at the blue origin
i follow and more importantly trust the reviews on both "Just" channels
I’m covered on divers. Can’t wait to see what he does next.
I think it's great . The black dial looked super on you . I'm really liking the black , orange and Stephanie blue but the yellow and white are nice as well .
Nice looking watch, but the first thing I noticed was that the lugs look too blocky and squared off. I also prefer the looks of the H-link bracelet, but if it's a hair-puller, that won't fly. I actually like the textured dial, not having one in my collection currently. The lume looks good, and the quick adjust clasp is a fantastic inclusion at this price point.
I don't think I'll be ordering one, but it got my attention.
I feel bad for Jody's business partner, "Mr. P" / Steven Parker, because he doesn't get the credit he deserves. He *AND* Jody created the brand and the watches, not *JUST* Jody! Also, the bracelets are both H-link. One's just a "curved" H-link and the other a flat H-link (as you've already stated). Nonetheless, I preordered the white version with flat link bracelet and the strap pack. I'm really looking forward to finally wearing it!
This is the best review of that watch I have ever seen.
Like thetattedpharmacist, I have ordered a purple with flat bracelet (6.5" wrist) & strap pack. I have been collecting for 20 years so don't have many colourful watches nor an excess of NH35 movements. I'd have preferred a 37-39mm version in titanium but know that's not a mainstream choice & I have a few dive watches like that already. I'd pick you going for Jody's choice of black dial & the H link bracelet with your wrist size & taste. Please do a video to let us all know when you decide.
I hope that BB54 will create a new standard for the average diver watch.
Great review. Although you are a big fan of Jody and JOMW I really appreciate your objective/unbiased opinion about the watch. Also I agree with you about the design but actually the more I look at this watch the more it is growing on me. Ps I know Jody is quite OCD about things like design balance on the dial so I love the way he has made the second hand align perfectly with the markers and either turn them into rectangles or squares as it goes past the markers - really nice touch.
This is a great watch for the price! Great feature set, love the second hand mates with the markers! Wish my watch piggy bank had some coin in it...
It’s nice. But my one deal breaker is the size of the clasp. Some will love the on the fly adjustability it offers but I prefer small three micro adjust clasps that don’t feel bulky or obtrusive when I put my hand down on a table. I know not everyone will agree and that’s ok, and for Jody’s sake I hope I’m in the minority
Family is picking out my color and will tell me on Christmas.
I've gone for the white with the H link and a strap pack. If it hadn't been Jody's watch I wouldn't have bought it. The design is generic but it's fully loaded and we're hoping it's well executed . I think Jody said he had to go for a diver as his first venture as it's such a popular format. Originality with mass appeal is very difficult to achieve in a mature field like watchmaking. There are people sat in Geneva earning tens of thousands of CHF to come up with something new and they still churn out Seamaster Speedmaster Submariner because that's what sells 😀
Awesome review, Dave. There is no such thing as the perfect watch, otherwise we'd probably only have a single watch! I really like the utilitarian look of this watch, so I've order the blue with curved h-link bracelet and the strap pack.
I think the Rolex Oyster perpetual is probably the closest thing. It's a lovely size at 36mm. It's sporty, but also quite dressy for a sports watch. Super classy and elegant looking. Clean dial with no date window or anything. Get a neutral colour and its a watch that goes with pretty much anything you wear. It's only £5k new too.
If one of the complaints is _a loud bezel,_ you know this has to be an awesome watch.
I want to order one so badly but can’t decide on which color. I’m leaning between the black or yellow ones but just can’t decide. I wish I could just buy all the colors but that’s not practical.
So I made up my mind during the pre-order process and chose the black dial and strap pack. I can’t wait to get it in my hands and on my wrist.
The watch looks nice and definatelly something I will order. I love affordable watches and have a lot of them. My eyesight isn't great for close up stuff and the only thing I hate is 99% of the time I can't read the day/date without the use of glasses or a date magnifier. I only have 2 suggestions. When possible bring this watch out with day/date not just date and also add a magnifier.
Would like the option of a better movement at a bit more money though as the rest of the watch is so good.
I got the blue - amazing looking. I am going for the curved H-link bracelet. My only feedback (I have not touched them) is they look a wee bit small.
blue one. definitely the blue.
Good balanced review, ty .
The black and white contrast looks SOOOOO good!
Was tempted by the red and despite the value for money being excellent the absolute level of the price seems high for Just One More Watch in my collection. It's just too similar to several of my stable which I paid much less of on Ali. The big hands are cool...but in the end I passed.
Looking forward to getting mine in! I went with the orange as I like the black date window and the blocks around on the hands. Sure the design is safe but as you pointed out, it’s packed with specifications as you would expect. I have the original Zelos swordfish, and they did the same type of thing. I’d say that business model worked out for them.!
The perfect daily driver in the tool space. A true spec monster that deliveres massive value for money at this price point. Would have preferred 40mm or under as a point of personal preference but the flat link option sold me to put in my order.
My track record on choosing watch dial colours from photos /videos is dreadful but with he Origin I think the Blue is best because of the matching bezel.
This design reminds me of the Matterhorn Divemaster 300. Overall, the Matterhorn has a little better specs, same dimensions, but with a Miyota 9015 or 9039 movement and 300 meters of water resistance at around $330. The improvement I see in this Erebus is the on the fly adjustment clasp, which is great! I think I like the white dial one.
I agree with you about the watch looking kind of unrefined and plain-it's just missing something. I love the hour markers and the second hand, along with the feature set for the price! I think the lack of a rehaut, combined with the flat crystal, really sends that feeling home.
Thanks for your review! We (your fans) respect your opinion. I thought it was fun that you kind of mirrored the JOMW review style in several spots. I am happy with this watch, as is. I have other watches in my very modest collection that are not as good as the Erebus Origin. I ordered the basic black, with the H bracelet, tho as soon as it arrives I will put it on a nylon strap or a Watch Steward strap. (Not a bracelet fan) I also like the blue colorway, thinking that it looks similar to a blue used by a Swiss company making watches for the Marine Nationale. Maybe I will wait for Erebus to make a titanium dive watch to get a blue one.
Orange + flat link for me. I already have a curved H link on my Sinn 556 and thought I’d go for something different. Thanks!😊
Great tool-watch design.
Thanks for maybe the best most honest review on these watches! I watched a different review yesterday and it was literally an add for the watch! If I had not just ordered a Swordfish double mop from Zelos I might have ordered the Black version. The key to future success is how reasonable the price increase on these will be. ( Helm keeps there’s around $300 so it can be done! I’m on there waiting list over 2000 people in front of me) Overall it’s hard to beat Zelos for cost or in this price comparison, case finishing. I think the origin only has the edge in layers of anti reflective coating.
I like the design overall but wish it had some accents to it such as a glossy bezel and some polished highlights on the case. But that's just me.
I narrowed it down to white or black pretty quick because of the accent color only they have. Most of my dive watches have dark dials, so I went white. If the teal or orange had navy accents, I would have been deciding between those.
I frickin LOVE that H link bracelet. I just wish the lug tips had a rounded edge to match the rounded corners in the middle links. I agree, to me they feel a tiny bit too wide. Saying all that though, Im still going to order one :)
I am rarely impressed. But for a first effort, I like this a lot.
Do love the looks of these, the colours are very Seiko but the white and the black are magnificent.
Good review. The Erebus looks great. I ordered the black dial on the h- link bracelet. I think it will be a success and all the best to him.
Good review. I was thinking the same thing regarding the similarity to Helm.
Truth be told, I really like the case design.
The crown knurling needs to better match the bezel knurling. Everything else is great for a very legible well lumed tool watch and everything I look for.
Would be good to have a 39 or 38mm option....
This looks like a very nice package for the price.. from the guy who knows this market segment the best. Great review, and great effort by Jody.
Love the black dial variant!
Bought the white dial version with the strap pack. Can't wait to get it on wrist.
Jody hits all the nice buttons on a dive watch at a reasonable price. I look forward to seeing more desgns.
I've ordered the blue one with the straps as well.
I like Jody's channel and his reviews, and it's great to see him branching out and co-designing watches. However:
The energy was spent on the face, and the case is to crudely shaped and brushed. For instance, the lug horns don't work with the bracelet, so the bracelet looks after market. More taper, please. The crown guards look spiky and unpleasant.
The bezel is well matched to the dial sizewise, but the font is somewhat squeezed and precise in contrast to the blocky square hour markers, which makes the insert look generic and after market.
The design sits between two chairs. Is it an easy wearing piece with AP-style bracelet or a rugged, blocky beater? Choose one.
Good to see a no chapter ring diver, by the way. Very legible.
Love the sandpaper dial. I ordered the black dial.
I like the design, I like the crown not extending past the crownguards, that’s a neat detail.
I have a collection of dive watches (Swiss, German, Japanese) and I think: This one has it all.
My favourite is the black one - design is perfect, I like the edgy note.
If I had a wish: Bracelet with screws instead of pins, that would also bring it ahead of Seiko and Citizen.
Great review, Dave 👍
Looks cool, I'm glad it's out.
Well done helm for doing most of the heavy lifting
Definitely on my radar as this ticks almost all the boxes for me, just wished it was 40mm. This would be a good daily driver, or diver.
I'm going to get the black one. These are very nice. And the LUME!!
Great job on the video colors! Other videos of the white dial variant have been a bit off so your video was helpful confirmation.
Blue on flat for me! I dig that Tudor vibe without the snowflakes. 👍
It looks like a very competent watch.
Purple on the H-link bracelet for me. Tudor FXD Alinghi Red Bull vibes for San Martin money, plus we get to help out Jody. Win, win.
Amazing watch. And you can see a lot of thought has gone into it .
I ordered the yellow with the H-link curved bracelet. Got a t-shirt as well.
i wish you and Jody success for the future. i enjoy the content
You are right, I also thought about a relation to Sinn. Maybe it would be a good thing they also did a flieger ... 😉
In a 39 mm case and with bezel hashing only on the first 20 minutes, it would be right up my alley.
Subscribed. Best review of the watch I’ve seen so far. Fair and even handed and noticed the second hand interaction with the minute and hour markers!
I went for one as they’re doing a great looking yellow version. Flat link for me.