First review - Zelos Mako V3 300m ‘Hammered Orange’
This is my first review. I do not claim to be an expert on anything watch related, nor to have any amazing insights. I’m just someone who bought a watch and was very impressed with the whole experience, and wanted to share. And just fyi I am in no way associated with Zelos.
The watch in question is the Zelos Mako V3 from their latest big drop with the Hammered Orange dial variant. I have had it for about a week now and it has barely left my wrist.
Overall specs:
Movement: Automatic - Miyota 9015
Price: $429
Dimensions: 40mm case, 46mm lug to lug, 20mm lug width 11.5mm thick
Water resistance: 300m
Crystal: Sapphire
The dial:
I’ve noticed the dial is a bit of a sleeper (a term my car people will know). From a distance it looks unassuming, the only pop being the orange colour but even this is muted. Don’t let this lead you to believe the dial is boring though. It evokes almost an other worldly feeling. Not in an ethereal way, like some Grand Seikos, but in more of a grounded way. It reminds me of the feeling playing Lifeless Planet gave me (who gets that reference?), or for the non-gamers under us, of the empty desert like plains of Mars. Kind of eerie but peaceful at the same time.
Overall Build quality:
Now I have not handled many top tier watches, so I cannot really compare to the gold standard of build quality. What I have handled a lot of is watches on the cheaper side. This Zelos is my most expensive watch (for now) and it is levels above anything else I own in build quality. It feels solid. It has some weight to it, but it is not cumbersome. It makes it feel more premium and well built. Who knows how it will hold up over time, but up until now it feels very good.
The bracelet:
Again I am no expert, but I’d say the bracelet is very good for the price. The clasp is easy to open and unobtrusive. It can be easily micro adjusted for the perfect fit on the go.
I did have some trouble resizing it as the pins can be a bit stubborn. The embossed logo on the clasp is a nice touch. I did however manage to scratch the clasp already. I cannot be sure if this was my recklessness or the bracelets quality, but it would seem some more scratch resistant material on the clasp would be an improvement.
The details:
What also impressed me is the little details and touches on the watch. I already mentioned the logo on the clasp. The loomed imprinted logo on the crown is another great touch, as well as the slight dome on the sapphire crystal.
The case back is also very nice, showing the namesake Mako shark (the fastest shark in the world), the name + some specs, and the production number (mine is 19/200).
With the watch came this leather 3 watch travel case, which is listed for $60 on the Zelos website. Another nice touch to improve the experience.
I did also engage with their customer service. I did not have an issue, but I was curious to see how their customer service is. I asked about shipping time as the website stated between 3-4 weeks for it to ship I believe. I received a prompt and friendly reply and my watch was shipped 2 days later.
Conclusion:
I am really impressed. With the watch and Zelos as a company. I would definitely not hesitate spend money with them in the future. The dials are unique and bold, the build quality is good, and the customer service is great.
Thanks to those who sat through my lengthy first review, enjoy the rest of your day!
Arise, arise, Riders of Watch Crunch! Fell deeds awake: temptation and financial ruin! Bracelets shall be shaken, Crystals be splintered, a Seiko day, a Rolex day, ere the moonphase rises! Ride now, r...
That's a nice one! Congratulations. I too was quite impressed when I first handled a Zelos (a Mako in fact). It's one of those brands where it's just a matter of time for me 🫣
Not only is the bracelet quite good but they look very nice on straps too in my opinion. You got very little gap as the case is flat at the lugs.
That's a nice one! Congratulations. I too was quite impressed when I first handled a Zelos (a Mako in fact). It's one of those brands where it's just a matter of time for me 🫣
Not only is the bracelet quite good but they look very nice on straps too in my opinion. You got very little gap as the case is flat at the lugs.
Thanks! I feel the same. I’m between dread and excitement for them to release more watches, as I know it’ll be a struggle not to get one.
I am thinking about trying it on an orange rubber strap, but the bracelet is just so comfortable!
Great review of a great watch. I had picked up the Aventurine dial version, and have 3 other Zelos watches including the burnt orange spearfish. Quality just seems to keep improving. I have a few Swiss watches in my collection (Rolex, Omega, etc), and while Zelos are not at the same level of quality as those, I feel that they provide more bang for the buck.
The Zelos bracelet with the on-the-fly micro adjust is really comfortable, and given that it has the quick release, it's super easy to switch it to a nice rubber strap. I thought that a bright orange strap may have been too much for my spearfish, so I paired it with a black rubber strap with orange underside, and really like the nice pop of color it offers.
Great review of a great watch. I had picked up the Aventurine dial version, and have 3 other Zelos watches including the burnt orange spearfish. Quality just seems to keep improving. I have a few Swiss watches in my collection (Rolex, Omega, etc), and while Zelos are not at the same level of quality as those, I feel that they provide more bang for the buck.
The Zelos bracelet with the on-the-fly micro adjust is really comfortable, and given that it has the quick release, it's super easy to switch it to a nice rubber strap. I thought that a bright orange strap may have been too much for my spearfish, so I paired it with a black rubber strap with orange underside, and really like the nice pop of color it offers.
Thank you!! I was between the aventurine and the hammered orange one. Orange happens to be my favourite colour so I went for that. That burnt orange dial is gorgeous by the way! Is it a Barton strap you have on it?
I am trying to keep my collection under control a bit, but I don’t know if I could resist another Zelos..
Thank you!! I was between the aventurine and the hammered orange one. Orange happens to be my favourite colour so I went for that. That burnt orange dial is gorgeous by the way! Is it a Barton strap you have on it?
I am trying to keep my collection under control a bit, but I don’t know if I could resist another Zelos..
Thanks - I love the burnt orange dial. It's certainly somewhat of a love it or hate it dial, as are many of the dials from Zelos - I happen to really like most of them. That hammered orange looks amazing on the photos.
The strap is actually a "Hemsut" strap I picked up from Amazon. Appears to be very similar in quality to the Barton strap I use for my Horizons GMT. The only black/orange Barton I could find had a gunmetal buckle, and the Hemsut had a SS buckle which I preferred.
I'm struggling with the same problem of trying to keep my collection under control, but couldn't resist the aventurine dial. I've found that Zelos dials need to be seen in person to be really appreciated. The teal of the Horizons has some gorgeous green tones in person than I've ever been able to capture in a photo, and the aventurine dial simply can't be properly represented in a still photo which can't bring out the sparkle. I have a friend that used to have a Lange Saxonia with an aventurine dial, and I can say that the Zelos is every bit as attractive.
Nice review. Enjoyed it.
I love Zelos! I own the Spearfish Burnt Orange Dial La Joux Perret G100 Soinge movement. Top quality,materials and service. It's a strap monster!
Ostrich leg strap
Matte Navy Blue Shark Skin Strap
Original Braclet
Enjoy the watch!
Cheers!
Thanks - I love the burnt orange dial. It's certainly somewhat of a love it or hate it dial, as are many of the dials from Zelos - I happen to really like most of them. That hammered orange looks amazing on the photos.
The strap is actually a "Hemsut" strap I picked up from Amazon. Appears to be very similar in quality to the Barton strap I use for my Horizons GMT. The only black/orange Barton I could find had a gunmetal buckle, and the Hemsut had a SS buckle which I preferred.
I'm struggling with the same problem of trying to keep my collection under control, but couldn't resist the aventurine dial. I've found that Zelos dials need to be seen in person to be really appreciated. The teal of the Horizons has some gorgeous green tones in person than I've ever been able to capture in a photo, and the aventurine dial simply can't be properly represented in a still photo which can't bring out the sparkle. I have a friend that used to have a Lange Saxonia with an aventurine dial, and I can say that the Zelos is every bit as attractive.
Might have to be a Zelos collector at this point 😂
Nice review. Enjoyed it.
I love Zelos! I own the Spearfish Burnt Orange Dial La Joux Perret G100 Soinge movement. Top quality,materials and service. It's a strap monster!
Ostrich leg strap
Matte Navy Blue Shark Skin Strap
Original Braclet
Enjoy the watch!
Cheers!
Thanks That dial is stunning! I will definitely play around with straps on mine!
Thanks That dial is stunning! I will definitely play around with straps on mine!
I love their dials! I do custom straps from my nephew.
Most reviewers aren't even that, mate. So you're ahead of the game. Good write up :)
Great purchase and review thanks
Beautiful watch - and thanks for the excellent review.
Lovely looking watch
Most reviewers aren't even that, mate. So you're ahead of the game. Good write up :)
Thanks, I appreciate that!!
Great purchase and review thanks
Thanks for reading it!
Beautiful watch - and thanks for the excellent review.
Thank you for sitting through it!
Lovely looking watch
It is, I can’t get enough of it!
Gorgeous. I picked up my first Zelos in the latest drop as well. I'm extremely impressed with it so far.
Gorgeous. I picked up my first Zelos in the latest drop as well. I'm extremely impressed with it so far.
Ah! The famous stormtrooper watch! Really liked this one as well! Just could not resist the orange!
Gorgeous. I picked up my first Zelos in the latest drop as well. I'm extremely impressed with it so far.
A little jealous. I had the hardest time choosing between the mosaic MOP and the all white version. Yours looks gorgeous. I don’t think there was a wrong choice, thankfully. Wish I could have grabbed both.
A little jealous. I had the hardest time choosing between the mosaic MOP and the all white version. Yours looks gorgeous. I don’t think there was a wrong choice, thankfully. Wish I could have grabbed both.
Kind of how I felt between this one and the Malachite.
These guys are doing phenomenal things
Good review and a great watch, cracking dial colour!