Crepas Cayman 3000 Review

This is my first attempt at a review, requested by @Robcollects

You can look up the specs of the watch here:

https://www.crepaswatches.com/en/crepas-cayman/

The watch does wear larger than the specs would suggest.

Crepas is a company based in Spain that specializes in tool watches.  They generally release about one watch a year, in a limited quantity.  The Cayman 3000 was (I think) the fourth watch they released, in a limited quantity of 299 pieces.  For Crepas you generally have to pre-order without seeing the watch; nobody has one, and they sell out in the blink of an eye.  They aren't cheap cheap either.  Turning to the secondary market was my move.

I passed on the pre-order that circulated because I thought eh, I have a Fifty Fathoms I don't need that.  Later that year a friend of mine brought his to a GGT, and I just loved it.  When he decided to sell and asked me if I was interested, I said yes with aclarity.

This is a large and heavy watch, all tool if you will.  It has been called a "Dress Diver" and it does look good with just about any outfit.  More importantly, it is a highly legible watch in all conditions.  What made me fall for this watch was the ceramic jet black dial, no date window, the hands that reach all the way out to the edge, the high dome sapphire crystal, the bubble back case, the thin sapphire bezel, the design & overall quality of the piece.

The high domed sapphire crystal is AR coated on the inside and produces a crystal clear glare free view of the dial, but also produces an attractive distortion at an angle.  You get the modern materials with that hint of vintage crystal distortion.

The beefed up DOXA style BOR bracelt is heavy, tight, and rattle free.  The bracelet has screws, but they are the type where you need two screwdrivers and three hands.  The parts bin style clasp is entirely out of character with the rest of the watch.  It feels cheap, and has no instant micro adjustment feature.  It isn't an easy fix either, because of the way the bracelet is integrated into the clasp.  I've decided to just tolerate it because the bracelet otherwise looks and feels great on the wrist.

The BGW9 lume on this watch is generous and it glows long and strong once charged.  Oddly, the case back has a sapphire insert that is also lumed.  I think this may be to cover a mistake.  Quite possibly the watch may have been designed with an exhibition case back but then changed at the last minute.  I guess I could find out by opening the caseback; yeah right, not gonna happen.

You need a larger wrist to consider this one, as well as a tolerance for a large and heavy watch.  The reason my friend sold this piece was he could not take it, it was too heavy (hurting) his wrist.  

Never fear, for smaller wrists there have been some new alternatives like the recent 40mm Smiths release from TimeFactors, and others.  You could always seek out an actual vintage Caribbean watch, these are typically around 38mm, that would be my move if faced with the size problem.

I didn't want this review to be about listing the specs, I wanted to try to convey my feelings about the watch.  You guys can look up the specs and along with my thoughts make your own determination.

Let me hear your questions, I would be happy to answer them. 

And no, its never been in the water......

 Pictures below:

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Crepas Cayman 3000 Review

4.0
Yes No
5/5
5/5
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3/5
  • Quality & Design
  • High Legibility Day or Night
  • Ceramic Dial & No Date
  • Clasp
Reply
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Nice review. Thanks for the write up. It is a very attractive shiny thing. The bezel really pops. The lume on the case back is a nice, if unnecessary, touch.

It is a shame that it is too large for my Perfectly Sized Wrist.

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Aurelian

Nice review. Thanks for the write up. It is a very attractive shiny thing. The bezel really pops. The lume on the case back is a nice, if unnecessary, touch.

It is a shame that it is too large for my Perfectly Sized Wrist.

Thanks, Greg!

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Thanks, that certainly answered my request! Given the ’sight unseen’ manner of ordering these, this detailed review of the feeling this watch gives is very helpful. Certainly unusual and big, but good looking if you can pull off a heavier watch. It looks like the clasp has some microadjustment but you’d need a spring bar tool. Is that right? I find a good fit is needed for a big watch. Good pictures too, nice lume shots. 

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Robcollects

Thanks, that certainly answered my request! Given the ’sight unseen’ manner of ordering these, this detailed review of the feeling this watch gives is very helpful. Certainly unusual and big, but good looking if you can pull off a heavier watch. It looks like the clasp has some microadjustment but you’d need a spring bar tool. Is that right? I find a good fit is needed for a big watch. Good pictures too, nice lume shots. 

Hi Rob,  yes there is micro adjustment with a spring bar tool.  At this level I would have expected an addition instant adjustment found on watches costing less.  I think they really missed the mark on the clasp for sure.  It's not an issue when you are wearing the watch, but it is something you notice when you take the watch on and off the wrist.

I shamelessly stole those lume shots from the crepas website.  The rest of the photos I took yesterday and I didn't feel like trying to get my own lume shots.

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SurferJohn

Hi Rob,  yes there is micro adjustment with a spring bar tool.  At this level I would have expected an addition instant adjustment found on watches costing less.  I think they really missed the mark on the clasp for sure.  It's not an issue when you are wearing the watch, but it is something you notice when you take the watch on and off the wrist.

I shamelessly stole those lume shots from the crepas website.  The rest of the photos I took yesterday and I didn't feel like trying to get my own lume shots.

Agree, I think the easier micro adjust is a miss, but sounds good that the bracelet feels good once on. Thanks for including the lume shots, whatever the source!

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I really enjoyed this review. I've never seen this watch before and that bezel and dial just really pull you in. +1 for the bracelet too, I was thinking of picking one up myself. 

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Jewbaka

I really enjoyed this review. I've never seen this watch before and that bezel and dial just really pull you in. +1 for the bracelet too, I was thinking of picking one up myself. 

WUS is a good place to look, I see them occasionally come up.

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How much did it cost?

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That’s a stunner John 👏 I definitely see why you jumped at the chance to grab one.

Well done on your review as well, it’s good to hear someone’s opinion instead of just rattling off the spec sheet of a particular watch 🙏🏻

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Great Review & a great watch.  I would wear it!

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Hey John, Great Review! You are writing like you've posted a bunch of reviews. That lumed case back is interesting. Once I read your thoughts on the "why" aka reason for luming the caseback it had me wondering. This a great looking diver and bracelet. I think they took ques from Grand Seiko & Seiko Prospex = people buy these watches with crazy claps so why change? The two screw scenario is IMO a big upgrade to pin and collar but a bear to work with. Your description was perfect Brother. Thanks for sharing. You have such a great collection. I'm looking forward to more reviews.  Can we do a 50 Fathoms review? Always wanted to hear from an owner if it's worth the investment 

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Ugh. A bubbleback and heavy watch and me with one wrist afflicted with gout. With heavy heart, pass. 

Beautiful watch. That dial is something else.

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Fantastic review, Sir!

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TimeJunkie

Hey John, Great Review! You are writing like you've posted a bunch of reviews. That lumed case back is interesting. Once I read your thoughts on the "why" aka reason for luming the caseback it had me wondering. This a great looking diver and bracelet. I think they took ques from Grand Seiko & Seiko Prospex = people buy these watches with crazy claps so why change? The two screw scenario is IMO a big upgrade to pin and collar but a bear to work with. Your description was perfect Brother. Thanks for sharing. You have such a great collection. I'm looking forward to more reviews.  Can we do a 50 Fathoms review? Always wanted to hear from an owner if it's worth the investment 

Thanks!

Ok, I will do a fifty fathoms review next.

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TalkingDugong

Ugh. A bubbleback and heavy watch and me with one wrist afflicted with gout. With heavy heart, pass. 

Beautiful watch. That dial is something else.

That dial got me for sure!

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geogop

Fantastic review, Sir!

Thanks!

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TheCianinator

How much did it cost?

I think I paid $950

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Hey John good job!! Like the look will definitely look up this watch first time seeing it thanks 👍

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Nice review and great picture!  These look really solid, but many are thick and, I suspect, heavy (the Cayman is 16.9mm thick, but that ceramic dial - sweet!).

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Written like a true pro! What an interesting piece, from the lumed case back to the clasp. 

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Those are great specs for retail $650. I can understand why people are willing to pay more after market. The top grade ETA movement is impressive! The water resistance! Definitely a great tool watch (and I love tool watches!). 

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Really nice watch and great review. She got a big bottom😉

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MinnKonaMike

Really nice watch and great review. She got a big bottom😉

I love it because it is comfy on my large flat wrist.  I think people with a rounder wrist profile may not like it as much.

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SurferJohn

I think I paid $950

Thanks!

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Man, love the case design. That bezel and a little curve crystal make this watch sleek and elegant. 

However, the bracelet could taper down a bit. Love the Beads of Rice though

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Yuquilibrium

Man, love the case design. That bezel and a little curve crystal make this watch sleek and elegant. 

However, the bracelet could taper down a bit. Love the Beads of Rice though

Agree about the taper, forgot to mention it.  It isn't a big problem but a small taper would be nice along with a badass clasp.