The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

A slight military air to this "tropical" titanium model. The sunray green dial is stunning, and it remains very comfortable to wear with its FKM rubber strap. The power reserve is a little short at less than 2 days, but it nevertheless boasts a good water resistance of 100m.
The proportions are perfect, and this model is a great success for this price.
You can look at it on your wrist even if you know what time it is... a sign of the pleasure it provides.

"the tropics" on the wrist

A very beautiful watch, this Lord Matic won't please everyone due to its small 35mm diameter.
With its silver dial and chrome indexes, it's understated and classic, yet still effective in all circumstances.
Elegant and high-performance, it sits somewhere between a Seiko 5 and a King Seiko thanks to its High Beat movement and very smooth seconds hand.
The original strap is quite loose on my watch, but this makes it very comfortable.

SEIKO 1975

A very successful watch, this LIP is rather original due to its complication that allows you to take a pulse or breath from a person in distress.
The watch also comes with a blue/white/red NATO strap.
Its highly legible dial is truly pleasant, and it's a pleasure to wear with its rubber strap.

LIP TOOL WATCH

In the late 1990s/early 2000s, Swatch released this Scuba (diver's range) in an Irony (metal range) version.
Its major weakness is the durability of its dual-material strap and its small plastic interlinks that break after a few years.
Otherwise, despite its thickness, it's a pleasant and sturdy watch. Its domed glass makes it unique, but it makes an impact, in a positive way.

CURVED GLASS FOR A 200M DIVER

A beautiful sunburst dial for this Tsuyosa Limited Edition Europe (500 copies).
This "Magu" version is perfect for summer.
Citizen's best-selling model has allowed many of us to experience the entry-level world of watchmaking.
The only slight drawback might be its stamped metal strap and buckle. But frankly, it's not enough to put us off buying it. Dark!

entry ticket to the watchmaking world.

In the 1990s, this automatic Swatch with a leather strap was released.
It's quite rare to see an automatic movement in a Swatch.
It's thin and light and has a green leather strap.
The case back is open to reveal the oscillating weight.
It's a bit dated in terms of design but remains interesting as a precursor to the System 51.

1st generation of automatic SWATCH

Another collaboration for the designer "second second," and this time it's with Spinnaker.
This numbered watch is very nice, and Halloween-themed with its pretty purple.
It has quite a few little details to discover upon closer inspection (a small number is hidden between 4 and 5 o'clock; it only reveals itself with a UV light).

An offbeat tribute to Blancpain's fifty fathoms

Released around 2002, for the 40th anniversary of James Bond, this watch pays homage to the film Dr. NO.
It's quite unusual with its square chronograph case and three dials plus a date.
The rubber strap is quite comfortable and makes it easy to wear.
A watch that stands out in a Swatch collection thanks to its original design.

007 WEARING SWATCHES!

This Direnzo is a gem!
I was lucky enough to buy it directly from its creator, Sergio Direnzo, who was exhibiting at TimeFest 2 in Bordeaux.
I came to see the DRZ 02R Aérolite, which I found a little too obvious on my 18-inch wrist. So I fell for the 38mm model with the small seconds hand with a red "wandering star" dot.
Once on the wrist, this watch is incredible. With truly remarkable quality and finish, I find it blends classic watchmaking codes with a modern design.
It feels like I'm wearing a designer watch.
The metal strap is beautiful and has a phantom buckle. The black rubber strap is very comfortable and will go better with a casual outfit.
In short, I currently only see it in the box when I'm choosing a watch for the day!

EVERYDAY PLEASURE

Impressive value for money on this Seiko 3-hand day/date with manual winding.
Its "turtle" case with crown at 4 o'clock is very well made.
Water-resistant to 200 meters with a screw-down crown and unidirectional bezel.
Despite its 45mm diameter, it nevertheless has a relative presence on the wrist thanks to its 40mm bezel. The silicone strap is "diving" type and this watch is really very pleasant for everyday use.
In short, a superb watch.

ENTRY-LEVEL PRO DIVER

Singaporean brand, ZELOS regularly launches new models but very quickly "sold out". 
This summer's model is the Thresher and it's a GMT. 
The watch is made of Titanium and rather discreet for a 41mm. The back is openworked with a personalized oscillating weight. 
Miyota 9075 'True' GMT movement, waterproof 200m with an incredible superluminova on the applied indexes as well as on the name of the cities on the bezel! 
The titanium bracelet, beautiful and comfortable, is micro adjustable with a 3-position system. 
The bidirectional 48-click bezel with sapphire insert is not very pleasant compared to that of some divers. 
The sapphire crystal stands out quite a bit (almost 2mm more compared to the thickness of the bare case). 
Comes with a numbered card as well as a magnificent blue leather travel box with 3 storage compartments, the best! 
Please note: in addition to the price of the watch (€450) there is a customs tax on delivery (€143 to DHL)

Little Asian pleasure

Founded in 2015 by three Breton friends, Erwan, Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois and J&eacute;r&eacute;my, in Akrone is an independent French watch brand based in Nantes (France). It quickly distinguished itself by offering high-quality automatic watches, combining careful design, durable materials and artisanal know-how, all at fair and accessible prices.
<h3 dir="ltr">Origins and Philosophy of the Brand</h3>
The Akrone adventure began unofficially in 2014, when the founders decided to launch into watchmaking with the ambition of shaking up traditional codes. After a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in September 2015, the brand launches its first model, the K-01, thus becoming the first French watchmaking house to take this route. This initiative marked a turning point for Akrone and inspired other French entrepreneurs to follow the same path.
Akrone's philosophy is based on creating unique watches, combining exclusive design with the use of sustainable materials and proven technical precision. Located in the heart of Nantes, the brand favors local production, with assembly and quality control carried out in-house, thus guaranteeing the reliability and durability of each part.
<h3 dir="ltr">Commitment to Quality and Know-How</h3>
Akrone carefully selects the movements of its watches, collaborating with renowned manufacturers such as Sellita, Soprod and ETA in Switzerland, France &Eacute;bauches in France, as well as the Citizen and Seiko groups in Japan. This commitment to precise mechanisms ensures customers receive reliable, high-performance watches.
The materials used, such as titanium, 316L steel, ceramic and carbon, are chosen for their durability and aesthetics. Each model is designed with careful attention to detail, reflecting a harmonious balance between watchmaking tradition and contemporary innovation.
<h3 dir="ltr">Iconic Collections</h3>
Since its inception, Akrone has developed several notable collections:
Akrone C-02 : Designed for diving enthusiasts, this collection offers robust and waterproof watches, meeting the demanding standards of underwater environments.
Akrone C-03 : Inspired by aviation, the C-03 series presents watches with a refined design, reminiscent of aircraft on-board instruments, with features adapted to pilots and aeronautics enthusiasts.
Akrone C-04 : This collection embodies horological elegance, with exquisitely designed dress watches, ideal for formal occasions or sophisticated everyday wear.
In 2025, on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, Akrone plans to unveil new versions of its flagship collections, with new designs and technical improvements, demonstrating its constant commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
<h3 dir="ltr">Special Projects and Collaborations</h3>
Akrone has also made a name for itself by producing personalized watches for various French army units, such as the Marine Commandos, the GIGN, the Foreign Legion and the Army Light Aviation (ALAT). These collaborations demonstrate the confidence placed in the brand to provide timepieces adapted to the specific requirements of professionals operating in extreme conditions.
Furthermore, the brand was the official chronometer of the prestigious nautical race &ldquo;La Solitaire du Figaro&rdquo;, thus reinforcing its commitment to the world of sport and precision.
<h3 dir="ltr">Social and Associative Commitment</h3>
Aware of its social responsibility, Akrone actively supports army mutual aid associations, helping grieving families and war victims. To date, the brand has donated more than 50,000 &euro; to associations such as Entraide ALAT and Entraide Marine, illustrating its commitment to the military community and its values ​​of solidarity.
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
In a decade, Akrone has established itself as a reference in independent French watchmaking, combining tradition, innovation and social commitment. Its approach centered on quality, design and proximity to its customers has allowed it to forge a strong and respected in the French watchmaking landscape. With ambitious plans for the future, the brand continues to celebrate French excellence, while remaining faithful to its founding values.
Check out the avis clients Dialicious to choose the Akrone watch that suits you.
Akrone is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">ranking of the most popular French watch brands</a>.
(Updated February 2025)

I already have an Akrone C-03 that I really like for its lightness, thanks to the titanium, for its design, and for its almost perfect size (for me).
When I saw this model in a photo, I was immediately won over by the darker "gun" case, and especially by the contrast of the green hands and indexes on the black dial. It didn't take me long to decide, especially since it was a model limited to 100 pieces.
When I received the watch, I really wasn't disappointed, the dial is as I expected, and above all the case is superb, with a polished chamfer that contrasts well with the brushed case.
Usually not a fan of rubber straps, I must admit that this one is very comfortable, even if I have already changed it for a green nylon one.

Akrone C-03 Concealment

I received this watch for my 17th birthday. It's my first, I'm delighted!! The Seiko movement is reliable and the ice blue is out of the ordinary watches that we usually see. It works perfectly, never had any problems with it. It is very durable and comfortable to wear. I recommend it to start a collection or simply to have fun!

First watch

La marque&nbsp;Serica a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 2019 par J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Burget et 3 amis &agrave; Paris, en France. Le nom Serica vient d'une r&eacute;gion perdue au bout de l'Extr&ecirc;me-Orient que les Grecs et les Romains avaient baptis&eacute;e ainsi. Ce lieu fait &eacute;cho &agrave; la gen&egrave;se de la marque, qui vise &agrave; concevoir des montres m&eacute;caniques de qualit&eacute; au style n&eacute;or&eacute;tro, pr&ecirc;tes &agrave; vous suivre aux confins du monde.
La gamme comprend des montres telles que la <a title="Page Serica 4512" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/4512">Serica 4512</a>, la <a title="Page Serica 5303" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/5303">Serica 5303</a> et la <a title="Page Serica 8315 GMT Chronom&egrave;tre" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/8315">Serica 8315</a>. L'une des particularit&eacute;s de cette marque est que son nom n'appara&icirc;t nulle part sur le cadran, afin de pousser le passionn&eacute; &agrave; acheter un design, des finitions et des proportions, et pas seulement un nom. En juillet 2023, Serica a lanc&eacute; la Serica 5303 COSC une version chronom&egrave;tre certifi&eacute;e par le Contr&ocirc;le Officiel Suisse des Chronom&egrave;tres.
Leur avant-dernier mod&egrave;le est la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/6190">Serica 6190</a> surfant sur les bases de la 1&egrave;re r&eacute;f&eacute;rence de la marque, la Serica 4512. Cette 6190 &eacute;pouse les codes stylistiques de la marque, des anses lyres, un choix de cadrans diff&eacute;rents et la possibilit&eacute; de choisir la position de la couronne &agrave; 3 heures ou en mode "Destro" &agrave; 9 heures. Cette Serica 6190 est &eacute;quip&eacute; du calibre Soprod M100 certifi&eacute; COSC (Contr&ocirc;le Officiel Suisse des Chronom&egrave;tres) &agrave; l'intar des productions actuelles des autres mod&egrave;les 5303 et 8315.&nbsp;
Depuis le 21 novembre 2024, Serica propose une nouvelle collection tr&egrave;s audacieuse...&nbsp;Une montre habill&eacute;e sortant des sentiers battus nomm&eacute;e "Parade" sous la r&eacute;f&eacute;rence 1174. Ces 4 chiffres, comme toutes les autres r&eacute;f&eacute;rences Serica, propose une symbolique issue du nombre d'or ou divines proportions dont le ratio entre la longeur et la largeur sont de 1,174... Une nouveaut&eacute; propos&eacute;e en pr&eacute;-commande &agrave; 1,490 &euro; pour une livraison pr&eacute;vue en Mars 2025...
<h2>Quel est le prix d'une montre Serica ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Serica &eacute;voluent et diff&eacute;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre 990 &euro; et 1,890 &euro; selon les mod&egrave;les et finitions. Le mod&egrave;le GMT de la marque, Serica 8315 GMT Chronom&egrave;tre co&ucirc;te 1,890 &euro; tandis que le dernier mod&egrave;le lanc&eacute; par Serica, la r&eacute;f&eacute;rence <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/6190">6190</a> est propos&eacute;e &agrave; 990 &euro;.
Serica est ind&eacute;pendante et produit environ 5,000 montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Serica fait partie du <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises">Top 10 des marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises les plus populaires</a>, ainsi que du <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_micro_marques_de_montres">Classement des meilleures micro-marques de montres</a>. Pour choisir le mod&egrave;le Serica qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une ressource essentielle pour &eacute;valuer les diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients
(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2024)

The brand Serica was created in 2019 by J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Burget and 3 friends in Paris, France. The name Serica comes from a lost region at the end of the Far East that the Greeks and Romans named it like this. This place echoes the genesis of the brand, which aims to design quality mechanical watches in a neo-retro style, ready to follow you to the ends of the world.
The range includes watches such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/4512">Serica 4512</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/5303">Serica 5303</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/8315">Serica 8315</a>. One of the particularities of this brand is that its name does not appear anywhere on the dial, in order to encourage the enthusiast to buy a design, finishes and proportions, and not just a name. In July 2023, Serica launched the Serica 5303 COSC, a chronometer version certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">Serica 6190</a> surfing on the bases of the brand's first reference, the Serica 4512. This 6190 follows the stylistic codes of the brand, lyre lugs, a choice of different dials and the possibility of choosing the position of the crown at 3 o'clock or at &ldquo;Destro&rdquo; mode at 9 o&rsquo;clock. This Serica 6190 is powered with the Soprod M100 caliber COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Certification) certified, like the current productions of the other 5303 and 8315 models.&nbsp;
Since November 21, 2024, Serica has been offering a very daring new collection... A dress watch off the beaten track called &ldquo;Parade&rdquo; under the reference 1174. These 4 figures, like all other Serica references, offer a symbolism derived from the golden number or divine proportions whose ratio between length and width is 1.174... A novelty offered for pre-order at &euro; 1,490 for one delivery planned for March 2025...
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Serica watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Serica watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between &euro; 990 and &euro; 1,890 depending on the models and finishes. The brand's GMT model, Serica 8315 GMT Chronometer costs &euro; 1,890 while the latest model launched by Serica, the reference&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">6190</a> is offered to &euro; 990.
Serica is independent and produces around 5,000 watches per year, all models combined. Serica is part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://preprod.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">Top 10 most popular French watch brands</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_micro_watch_brands">ranking the best micro watch brands</a>. To choose the Serica model that best suits you, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/5303">Serica 5303 reviews</a>, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/4512">Serica 4512 reviews</a>, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">Serica 6190 reviews</a> or <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/8315">Serica 8315 reviews</a> are an #1 resource for evaluating different models through real customer experience.
(Updated December 2025)

Akrone C-03 was launched in 2021; conceived as an aviation-tool watch, it pairs a titanium case (39 or 41 mm for the Horizon line) with high-contrast legibility, a &ldquo;turbine&rdquo; crown and an in-house-regulated automatic movement. Carbon-case GMT versions (42 mm) round out the family with a &ldquo;True GMT&rdquo; travel function. Rooted in collaborations with French aviation units, the range focuses on clarity, robustness and precise adjustment for high-G environments.
<h3>Design &amp; legibility: the model&rsquo;s identity</h3>
C-03 dials echo cockpit gauges: large numerals, crisp minute track and Super-LumiNova tuned to night-flight codes under an AR-treated sapphire. Field-toned dials (Austral, Desert, Tropical) stay restrained for operational use, with reworked hands and strong contrast for instant reads. The brief is &ldquo;at-a-glance&rdquo; clarity day or night, without decorative clutter.
<h3>Case, straps and daily comfort</h3>
The Horizon&rsquo;s grade-2 titanium case (39 or 41 mm) is light and hydrocarbon-resistant, with 100 m WR and inner-AR sapphire; a push-in crown suits aviation use, with a clear caution on swimming. The 39 mm runs ~46.5 mm lug-to-lug at ~11.15 mm thick; the 41 mm is ~48.4 mm L2L and ~12.2 mm. Quick-release FKM straps are standard, with an optional quick-adjust titanium bracelet. On wrist, titanium and short effective lugs keep presence controlled and comfort high.
<h3>Movement: build, performance and care</h3>
Horizon models use Soprod&rsquo;s P024 (auto, ~38 h), adjusted in-house across six positions to a &ndash;4/+6 s/day target; GMTs use the Miyota 9075 &ldquo;True GMT,&rdquo; set to &ndash;10/+10 s/day, with independently jumping local hour for travel. The brand highlights in-house prep (decorated rotor, dynamic testing) to withstand vibration/acceleration. In practice you get pragmatic accuracy and straightforward service on proven bases.
<h3>Chronological milestones &amp; key models (2021&ndash;2025)</h3>
(2021) Akrone C-03 ALAT &ldquo;first collaboration&rdquo;:
Early runs born of the partnership with the Army Light Aviation (ALAT) define the C-03&rsquo;s instrument DNA: high-legibility dials, turbine crown, flight-proof testing and reinforced regulation. These military-seeded pieces paved the way for broader civilian variants while guarding the use-case focus.
(2022) Akrone C-03 Legacy Canopy:
A &ldquo;Legacy&rdquo; take in 41 mm titanium with a green &ldquo;canopy&rdquo; vibe, priced accessibly; it retains the 100 m rating and cockpit aesthetic, aimed at newcomers seeking daily robustness. Dimensions and titanium keep comfort high for all-day wear.
(2023) Akrone C-03 Worldtimer Stealth (Limited Series):
Travel-oriented, stealth-toned 41 mm titanium limited run that maintains core C-03 legibility and 100 m WR with an urban/nomad angle. Positioning targets value while staying true to the line&rsquo;s cockpit codes.
(2024) Akrone C-03 Horizon Tropicale (39 &amp; 41 mm):
Back to fundamentals: grade-2 Ti (DLC Gun Metal on some), inner-AR sapphire, 100 m, push-in crown, sandwich BGW9 dial; the 39 mm (~46.5 L2L) favours compact wear, the 41 mm (~48.4 L2L) opens the dial. In-house regulation of the Soprod P024 to &ndash;4/+6 s/day.
(2025) Akrone C-03 Horizon Desert (39 &amp; 41 mm):
Sand-tone dial optimised for bright light with enlarged numerals and sharp contrast; same tech base (titanium, AR sapphire, 100 m) and internal P024 regulation. The 2025 edition emphasises &ldquo;hot-terrain&rdquo; legibility and sun-glare control.
(2025) Akrone C-03 GMT ALAT &ldquo;70 Years&rdquo; (200 pcs):
Carbon 42 mm case, Miyota 9075 &ldquo;True GMT&rdquo; with independent local hour, special pack and a per-watch donation to Entraide ALAT; it salutes ALAT&rsquo;s 70th anniversary and extends the 2021 partnership. Target accuracy &ndash;10/+10 s/day post in-house regulation.
<h3>Buying advice: size, variants, straps and use</h3>
Smaller-to-medium wrists? The 39 mm (~46.5 mm L2L, ~11.15 mm thick) maximises low-profile comfort while retaining &ldquo;cockpit&rdquo; readability. It&rsquo;s the easiest all-day wear, especially on FKM.
Prefer more dial aperture? The 41 mm (~48.4 mm L2L, ~12.2 mm) adds presence and stand-off legibility, with titanium keeping weight down. It stays a desk-to-weekend all-rounder.&nbsp;
Frequent traveler? The C-03 GMT (42 mm carbon) with Miyota 9075 &ldquo;True GMT&rdquo; simplifies time-zone jumps via the independent local-hour jump. Pick it if you hop zones often.
Water &amp; sport: 100 m is fine for rain and surface splashes, but with a push-in crown avoid extended swimming and double-check the closed position. Prevention beats repair for water ingress.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
Akrone&rsquo;s C-03 puts function first: cockpit-level clarity, light titanium, stringent in-house regulation and, in GMT guise, true travel logic. The 39 wears compact, the 41 opens the dial, and the GMT favours mobility; add FKM vs titanium bracelet to suit your routines. To finalise, map size, water context and GMT need to your shortlist, then benchmark against Dialicious customer reviews and confirm on-wrist fit.
(Updated September 2025)

Akrone C-03 Owner Review : Luminous, exotic and pleasant

"the tropics" on the wrist

Pros & Cons for this watch

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Akrone C-03 Owner Review : Luminous, exotic and pleasant

"the tropics" on the wrist

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