Bohen Mille Mer review
Shortly before summer 2021, I had the opportunity to see the first prototype of the Bohen Mille Mer. I was then feeling both excitement and admiration: excitement because I was finally discovering, in a concrete way, the product of this project that I was able to follow with a privileged eye since its beginnings, and admiration because even if it was only a prototype, it already reflected the passion and know-how of its creator, and was already an exceptional piece to be. Here's a review of the watch that I have been wearing a lot for the past 7 months.
The specs
- 316L Stainless Steel watch case in aerospace grade.
- Anamagnetic ( antimagnetic cage + antimagnetic movement + non-magnetic stainless steel watch case).
- Unique quality sapphire dome glass used in aerospace, with a double coating inside only.
- Rotating bezel: 43 mm. Length: 50 mm. Height: 17.5 mm. band
- Width: 24 mm
- Diving 100 ATM 1.000 m / 3,300 ft .
- Helium exhaust valve.
- Crown at 12 o’clock.
- Ceramic rotating bezel, 60 clicks.
- Case back in grade 5 titanium .
- Unique in the world : an internal date magnifier (patented design).
- Stainless Steel bracelet with integrated universal link (no needed tools to change the watch band).
- Increments clasp buckle.
- Superluminova X1 phosphorescent markers (much intense compared to Superluminova and lasts 2X longer).
- Beauty of hand finishes (Embossing and deep brushing).
- Automatic Swiss movement designed by Soprod (M100) and modified for Bohen.
- Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date.
- Accuracy +/- 4 seconds / day in 5 positions.
- 42-hour power reserve - Antimagnetic - Chronofiable A8® - 28,800 alternations 4hz - Rhodium coating - Rotor in Côtes de Genève - Pearl bridges - 25 jewels - Incabloc - Glucydur balance wheel.
The case
This is not very common, and it’s of course what we immediately notice: the crown is located at 12 o’clock. It is wide enough to be easily handled, and fits inside the first link of the bracelet which thus ensures a protective role. The hexagonal case, made of 316L stainless steel, has an alternating polished or brushed finish. This brings out the aggressive character of its very marked lines towards the lugs, compensated by softer curves on the sides, which are polished.
The case is surmounted by a steel bezel with a ceramic insert. This one, as with any diving watch, rotates unidirectionally, here in 60 clicks. It has a numbering every 10 minutes and more marked indexes up to 20 minutes, the one at noon being luminescent.
The glass is a sapphire crystal dome, treated with a double anti-reflective layer on its inner side. The feeling is quite exceptional and goes clearly in the direction of the announced quality, the legibility being great regardless of the angle of the light source, which is not always the case with dome lenses. We can add that this one has bluish reflections according to the angle of view.
The dial
The dial of the Mille Mer is a jewel! The indexes go up to the chapter ring, offering more space on the dial. They have been treated with Superluminova X1, this thing is a real torchlight 🙂 The hands are quite wide (and benefit from a beautiful surface of Superluminova) for an effective legibility.
The detail that cannot be missed is obviously the internal date magnifier. It is absolutely unique, and while I usually tend to hate those magnifiers, I must say that this one is really well done. Its integration is perfect, and (it’s very personal) I find that it gives even more character to the Mille Mer.
The bracelet
Blaise Giuiliani (the founder) often told me that he didn’t want to make an exceptional watch with a standard bracelet, because that’s all we would remember. So the bracelet is one of the last things he worked on, and I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw it in person. Even if once again it’s very personal, I find it beautiful! The central links and all internal facets are polished, while the outside is brushed. WOW! It’s 24mm wide on the lug side and tapers to 16mm on the buckle. This is a huge gap that gives it both an undeniable comfort and a visual lightness that compensates the important dimensions of the case.
This bracelet benefits from innovations that aren’t commonly found in that price range: a buckle with a tool-free fine adjustment system, and push-button quick-release springbars. These will allow to mount another bracelet on the first fixed links, as for the buckle, it offers the possibility to adjust the dimensions of the bracelet at any time and without tools.
On the wrist
The Mille Mer, despite its weight and size, is extremely comfortable to wear. I must say that (with only one exception) all my other watches, while on a steel bracelet, tended to move and rotate, provided that the bracelet was not very (or too) tight. This is not the case of the Mille Mer, whose balance has been carefully designed, so that it retains its position without ever becoming annoying.
Its thickness could be an obstacle to adjusted shirt sleeves, as far as I was concerned I did the test and did not encounter this concern, but maybe I was lucky. In any case, although being an extreme divewatch, the Mille Mer can be a jewel and will perfectly extend a costume or a more dressed outfit.
Conclusion
Considering that attention seems to have been paid to the slightest detail, that quality seems to be met from every point of view, and that the Mille Mer presents a unique and recognizable identity from afar, I consider that it can be described as an exceptional watch. It will not please everyone by its design, but I don’t think I’m going to go too far in saying that those who are seduced today without ever having worn it, they will love it the day they pass it on their wrist.
The Mille Mer is the first watch produced by Bohen. The black dial version is already sold out (500pcs), but there are still a few of the blue and grey versions (80pcs limited editions) available.
I'll be soon presenting the future StarDiver, the new project that is already available for pre-orders and due in September.
Bohen Mille Mer review
Yes
No
- Excellent build quality
- Strong visual identity
- Comfort
- Well regulated movement
- Nothing
Watch and photography enthusiast Follow on IG @brice.wgr
Sounds like you've found your perfect watch! I'm jealous!
But 17.5mm is pretty chunky.
You don't see that as a negative at all?
Sounds like you've found your perfect watch! I'm jealous!
But 17.5mm is pretty chunky.
You don't see that as a negative at all?
It's thick indeed but tbh I don't mind at all ! If you compare it to a Deepsea or some automatic chronographs, it's about the same height but it wears way better
It's nice but on the too big to bother with side for me. The magnifying thing is a little bit much for me too.
But it's pretty and I like the hand shape alot.
Very nice looking watch. I love the crown at 12 and the solid look of it. I might have to check them out.❤
I wouldn't mind a promotional post, which this clearly is, but to put it together as a "review" is a bit far. To be fair, I have a problem with all 5.0 reviews. Most are completely sincere, the reviewers are just enamored of a particular watch. They have some distance from the maker of the watch. I very much doubt that you do.
To compare the thickness of the watch to the Deepsea and not understand that to be a negative is telling. The Deepsea is roundly mocked as an unnecessary hockey puck of a watch. The only time that I have seen one I was surprised at how thick it was.
This is a pretty dive watch with some unusual features that will appeal to a narrow sliver of the watch market. I hope that it finds it.
I wouldn't mind a promotional post, which this clearly is, but to put it together as a "review" is a bit far. To be fair, I have a problem with all 5.0 reviews. Most are completely sincere, the reviewers are just enamored of a particular watch. They have some distance from the maker of the watch. I very much doubt that you do.
To compare the thickness of the watch to the Deepsea and not understand that to be a negative is telling. The Deepsea is roundly mocked as an unnecessary hockey puck of a watch. The only time that I have seen one I was surprised at how thick it was.
This is a pretty dive watch with some unusual features that will appeal to a narrow sliver of the watch market. I hope that it finds it.
So I have found a watch that I like a lot, that has become my almost everyday watch since it has arrived, to the extent that I have bought the blue dial too, and to you it must be a promotional post ?
I just happen to have nothing wrong to say about it. I was afraid of the thickness before receiving it, but once on the wrist it was completely forgotten and it wears better than most of my watches.
Each to his own, what's a problem for you isn't necessarily an issue for me, but please don't question my legitimacy. I'm new here, discovered the board thanks to the microbrand tournament, and thought people would be interested in discovering a small and new microbrand.. Oh wait, wasn't "raising awareness about small micro" the purpose of the tournament ?
Oh and just in case you'd still doubt it, the brand founder has become a friend but I'm not affiliated to the brand...
So I have found a watch that I like a lot, that has become my almost everyday watch since it has arrived, to the extent that I have bought the blue dial too, and to you it must be a promotional post ?
I just happen to have nothing wrong to say about it. I was afraid of the thickness before receiving it, but once on the wrist it was completely forgotten and it wears better than most of my watches.
Each to his own, what's a problem for you isn't necessarily an issue for me, but please don't question my legitimacy. I'm new here, discovered the board thanks to the microbrand tournament, and thought people would be interested in discovering a small and new microbrand.. Oh wait, wasn't "raising awareness about small micro" the purpose of the tournament ?
Oh and just in case you'd still doubt it, the brand founder has become a friend but I'm not affiliated to the brand...
Look at the last sentence of your review and ask yourself how anyone could have gotten the impression that the review was not "arm's length." It was not just name dropping the owner.
If your defense is that you are just besotted, then ok, sure. But, it may be time to get off of your high horse. It reads like a promo piece and you controlled the content. You announced that you would be presenting a new watch for pre-order. The reviewer doth protest too much, methinks.
Look at the last sentence of your review and ask yourself how anyone could have gotten the impression that the review was not "arm's length." It was not just name dropping the owner.
If your defense is that you are just besotted, then ok, sure. But, it may be time to get off of your high horse. It reads like a promo piece and you controlled the content. You announced that you would be presenting a new watch for pre-order. The reviewer doth protest too much, methinks.
Like I said, the founder is now a friend... which gave me the chance to play a little bit with the proto of the StarDiver...
Spend some time here. Look at how @TimeToDesign has cleverly interacted. Peter has used this site to bring his brand to this corner of the watch world. @marcusmenescal has also used WC to raise awareness of his brand. Both appeal to different types of watch wearers. They are biased towards their brands, as they should be.
If you are just an enthusiast and this is your current enthusiasm then you should know that review posts here are among the least read and engaged with. Exposing us to watches and getting us interested in watches is through multiple posts (reviews, WRUW, etc.) We see when someone parachutes in and then is gone. Most are too polite to say anything. I am not most.
So, like I said, spend some time. Evangelize if that suits you. Rub elbows with the Hublot, Invicta, and G-Shock owners. Some of them may notice your Bohen.
Just read your article and as someone who wears a deep sea on a regular basis I fail to see how they can get the balance right unless their is a counter weight on the bottom of the bracelet as I have to wear my watch slightly tighter than I would normally,I've got a 7.25 wrist ,I'm also confused as to the depth rating only 1000m for such a thickness as the deep sea is 3900m .This is a new company that has produced a great looking watch which I'm afraid does have some features from the deep sea,I wish them well
Interesting design, lots of novel things in its spec sheet. I'm concerned with the mixing of metals in the case design, like 316L stainless steel case and Grade 5 Titanium case back. Mixing metals doesn't tend to go very well, and could lend to accelerated corrosion due to galvanic corrosion affects. Could be worth mentioning to the founder of Bohen. Otherwise, looks like an interesting brand and I hope they're successful.