Erebus Origin Review
I’ve been wearing the Erebus Origin for a week now, and feel confident sharing some feedback (for whatever my opinion is worth).
Pros: it looks the business and legibility is as good as it gets. Hard to beat stainless with a black and white scheme, but the small doses of red throughout the face add a touch of extra character.
The dial texture is so cool. Sometimes it looks matte but then the light hits it and the texture comes out. I like the logo and dial text.
The flat sapphire crystal has plenty of AR coating. The fully graduated bezel turns with a pleasingly loud click and has just a bit of back play, but lines up straight. Crown action is smooth and easy.
Negatives: I only have one, and it’s the bracelet. Specifically the sharp edges on the links. They are way sharper than they should be. It is not unwearable but it’s not far off, frankly. It is just more noticeable than it should be. And that’s a shame too because the rest of it is nice. It looks good, the finishing is otherwise good and the clasp is top-notch. Love the on-the-fly adjustment. I’m surprised the team at Erebus missed the edge issue. Jody has commented on sharp edges in other reviews. Again, to me, it’s not a deal breaker but if there is an Origin MK2 that fixes the issue I’ll buy a replacement bracelet.
That said, I got the 3 strap pack and all of those are great. The watch takes on a different feel on either of the rubber straps, both of which are very soft and flexible. The nato is nothing to write home about but it’s solid and does the job. If I decide I really can’t stand the bracelet the watch could live on any of these three and be fantastic.
Conclusions: This is a great watch, and a fantastic first effort for Jody and the team. Fix the bracelet issue and I’d have given it 90 out of 100. I’m guessing they will. I can’t be the only one feeling this way about the bracelet. I’m looking forward to seeing what their next release is. I’d like to see an Origin chronograph, maybe with a VK63 movement. At 41mm and the scale of the dial it has the space.
Erebus Origin Review
Yes
No
- Legibility
- Bezel Action
- AR coating
- Dial Texture & Design
- Strap Options
- Bracelet Finishing
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
dont worry, even the omega speedmaster did have many sharp edges on the case and the clasp.
Nice lookin' Diver!
Bracelet can't be as bad as the OEM Casio bracelet I'm wearing right now on my Duro! A real hair-nipper, stiff articulation and edges sharp as f_ck! 😮
NGL, 'preciate the honest review.
Still a great watch, and you like it, doesn't mean it's 5/5... @Aurelian
If EVERY watch is 5/5, then what's the point.
When I find a rough edge on a bracelet, I grab my wife’s nail file and smooth it out. Works like a charm.
The thing that annoys me are the male endlinks.
I enjoy Jody’s YouTube channel, but I don’t have any interest on his brand.
I just feel it looks so much as other Micro-brands. I don’t see the product diferentiation.
When I find a rough edge on a bracelet, I grab my wife’s nail file and smooth it out. Works like a charm.
I’m sure that works, but I shouldn’t have to do that. Removing sharp edges during manufacturing is a solved problem. I remain kinda shocked they let them out the door like this. It’s. Major QC issue in my book
The rough edges of the bracelet didn't really bother me for the 3 days I had it one. The textured rubber strap was much more comfortable than the solid one, the rubber keeper lock was a cool addition for me. Good stuff overall and I'm happy to support small creators.
Excellent review, Sean. I purchased the white dial version of the Origin in large part for it's legibility. And like the black dial version it's a winner on that score. Furthemore, I'm finding the Seiko NH35 movement to be surprisingly accurate, losing less than 10 seconds over 24 hours. As far as the bracelet is concerned, I've avoided the issue by substituting a black FKM rubber "ridge" style strap from Strap Habit. More appropriate for a diver and lighter that the bracelet. Thicker and more comfortable than the rubber strap included with the watch. All in all, (imo) the combination is an excellent valuet.
The thing that annoys me are the male endlinks.
I think both bracelet options have female ends links? All the press and reviews I've seen stated this?
I guess I haven’t noticed sharp edges on the bracelet of my Origin. And I definitely have on other watches.
I think both bracelet options have female ends links? All the press and reviews I've seen stated this?
I have the flat H-link bracelet. And here the endlinks look female, but they don‘t move at all. It‘s a minor issue, but it‘s still annoying.
I have the flat H-link bracelet. And here the endlinks look female, but they don‘t move at all. It‘s a minor issue, but it‘s still annoying.
That is annoying, what's the point of a female endlink that doesn't move? I'd get the SiC paper out...🤣
When I find a rough edge on a bracelet, I grab my wife’s nail file and smooth it out. Works like a charm.
So, this really worked. I mean, I knew it probably would but I’m impressed by just how much. Went slowly but surely and while it’s not perfect it’s a major improvement. Color me impressed. Thanks @Davemcc
Did you get the curved or the flat link bracelet? Quite hard to tell from the pic.
Jody did flag something with the bracelet (hence the curved or flat option) but I think it was more to do with the articulation than the edges.
I have the flat link and it’s not sharp to wear but it is sharp to the feel. I’m okay with it but it can be improved.
My two bracelet issues are the point about the female end links not articulating (maybe this was Jody’s point) and Al’s that the screws are working themselves loose just in wearing the watch. There be a disaster soon …
My only other real quibble is that the knurling on the crown could be so much better.
Did you get the curved or the flat link bracelet? Quite hard to tell from the pic.
Jody did flag something with the bracelet (hence the curved or flat option) but I think it was more to do with the articulation than the edges.
I have the flat link and it’s not sharp to wear but it is sharp to the feel. I’m okay with it but it can be improved.
My two bracelet issues are the point about the female end links not articulating (maybe this was Jody’s point) and Al’s that the screws are working themselves loose just in wearing the watch. There be a disaster soon …
My only other real quibble is that the knurling on the crown could be so much better.
I got the curved links. Went back and forth on that when ordering but decided I liked the curved look better in the end. The little trick with the nail file really made a difference on mine. The end-link thing doesn't bother me. I have a Squale bracelet that does a similar thing. But I could see someone with a smaller wrist size wishing they dropped away better.
I got the curved links. Went back and forth on that when ordering but decided I liked the curved look better in the end. The little trick with the nail file really made a difference on mine. The end-link thing doesn't bother me. I have a Squale bracelet that does a similar thing. But I could see someone with a smaller wrist size wishing they dropped away better.
Yes - I think you made a wise choice there.
No deep regret but I think that would have been a better choice for me.
It seemed to arise very late in the day and while Jody did raise it I found it hard to really see the difference - and none of the reviewers had the benefit of comparing and commenting.
Still pretty smooth for a first release and I’m sure they learned a lot to help improve any future projects.
Good to see your “user” review out promptly and hopefully they’ll pick up on various points too in assessing what next.