Steinhart Ocean 39 Adventure Classic Review

Can something’s biggest strength also be its greatest weakness? How much does context color perception? These are the questions I found myself asking while evaluating this timepiece, the Steinhart Ocean 39 Adventure Classic.

I’m pretty sure the 39mm Rolex Explorer is my favorite Rolex. It’s the one I would’ve gladly saved up, waited on a list, and paid retail price for. But… I’m a bit late to the watch enthusiast party, and now Rolex will never sell me one. I’ve seen the Smiths Everest, the San Martin, and various AliExpress homages, etc., but I prefer the 39mm size, and the look of the more modern Explorer. Not to mention a reliable level of quality. Then a few weeks ago, I happened to click on a random open browser tab, and saw a large image on screen of what seemed to be the perfect Explorer homage! I did a bit of cursory research on it, and a few minutes later I had pre-ordered the Steinhart Ocean 39 Adventure Classic. Knowing it was a preorder, I was ready to patiently begin the long wait, but the next day I got a tracking number and a scheduled delivery date. A few days later a new Adventure arrived on my doorstep!

First impressions were excellent. I have never worn or even held the Rolex Explorer, so I can’t make direct comparisons, but it sure looks a lot like the Rolex (with some subtle cosmetic differences). More on the inevitable comparison later. But for now, I will review the watch on its own merits, without reference to its inspiration.

Specs: The Steinhart Ocean 39 Adventure features a 39mm case diameter, 20mm lug width, 13mm height, and a 47mm lug to lug measurement. The watch is made of 316L stainless steel, with a polished bezel and case sides. The top of the case and bracelet are brushed. The watch includes a domed sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating, and it is rated for 100 meters of water resistance. The bracelet is an oyster style, starting at 20mm at the lugs and tapering to 16mm at the clasp. Links and end links are solid with screws for adjustment. The fold over clasp features 4 micro-adjust holes which should allow for a good fit. The screw-down caseback displays the basic specs of the watch, and it is decorated with an interesting engraving of a sun with a face and emanating rays, reminiscent of medieval or Renaissance art.

Quality: In my experience, Steinhart delivers exemplary quality, and this model is no different. The materials and fit and finish are excellent. I can find no visible flaws in the finish, no flaws on the hands, applied numerals or indices, and no dust under the crystal. The screw-down crown engages easily, the hands turn smoothly, and the Sellita movement winds with a firm, reassuring resistance. The bracelet is solidly built and the clasp is secure. I have no complaints whatsoever about the quality of this watch. 

Wearing experience: I was able to quickly size this watch with the screw-in links, and get a good fit with room on either side for micro-adjustment. The watch is listed as 170 g on Steinhart’s website. I don’t have a scale to verify the weight, but I can say it wears light and slim on the wrist, with good balance. The case shape is a bit flat, with only a small downward curve at the lugs. This can leave a small gap under the ends of the lugs, and it would probably wear better with a bit more wrist-hugging curvature. But it still wears comfortably in daily use.

Legibility is excellent, as is the lume, which is BGW9 Superluminova. The lume glows brightly with a nice blue hue. After the initial fade, it continues to hold a usable glow for several hours. I didn’t do any formal comparison tests, and I’d say it’s probably a bit below Seiko’s typical lume, but it has proven adequate for my use. 

The bracelet is comfortable, without any sharp edges, corners, or hotspots. The clasp is a friction fitting type with a security foldover. I would prefer a push button release, but the friction fit is secure without being overly tight or difficult to disengage. Overall, I don’t have many complaints about the wearing experience.

Movement: This watch features a Swiss Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré grade movement. This movement features 26 jewels and a 38 hour power reserve. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and is adjusted in 3 positions with accuracy rated between +/- 7 spd to +/- 20 spd. When it arrived, it was running reliably, and consistently averaging between +7 and +9 spd on wrist. Soon after receiving this watch, I got a timegrapher and began regulating some of my other watches. Once I started getting the hang of it, I gave regulating the Steinhart a try. The regulation screw allowed for more precise control than the lever found on NH35 and similar movements. It didn’t take long to get it dialed in. Now, it runs reliably between -1 and +1 spd on wrist. I can’t really ask for more superlative performance.

Negatives: I don’t really have any major negatives to mention here.The case curvature is a bit flat, and the case could maybe be a bit thinner, but it still wears nicely. The clasp could be a bit more refined, but it still does the job well. I suppose the lume could be a bit brighter, but it also gets the job done. It’s just a great watch overall.

Summary: On its own, this watch is fantastic! It’s a great looking, well built, reliable, Swiss made watch. But that brings me to the question: can something’s biggest strength also be its greatest weakness? Is the Steinhart’s biggest strength its Rolex inspired design? If so, does that diminish its ability to stand as great on its own, therefore becoming its greatest weakness? How much does context color perception? If I had no knowledge of the Rolex Explorer, the Steinhart’s potential greatest weakness becomes only a strength. It’s only by comparison that the Steinhart is diminished. But the comparison will always be there. With the Rolex discontinued, and completely unattainable at anything close to retail price, should the comparison even matter at this point? This is a question everyone has to answer for themselves, and I don’t believe there is a correct answer.

Comparisons aside, this Steinhart is an outstanding watch and an exceptional value. As far as my humble watch collection goes, the Ocean 39 Adventure Classic is the 39mm Explorer I’ll never have. I, for one, am glad that Steinhart is producing a version of this amazing discontinued design, and giving those who missed the boat a chance to experience something very close to it. I believe Steinhart has truly honored this Rolex design with an homage that not only looks the part, but is built to last, with the quality components and attention to detail it deserves.