Forscher Watch
Forscher Watch is approaching over half a decade of being on the micro brand map and I couldn’t be more excited to review a watch that takes such key features of the past and ensures they are obtainable for the masses. Forscher is what I would consider a historically motivated and a modern material brand that does something few get right. For years the micro watch brand world was murky to say the least. It seemed as if everywhere you looked there was a take on the “Subs” of the past. Yes, there is the term “Homage” but with Forscher there seems to be much more than that. Let me explain.
I believe you can tell a lot about a watch company by the people that are faithful to it and use their product on the frontline of service to their community and throughout their daily life. It does not take much research to find out that Forscher watches are on the wrist of Elite War Fighters, Law Enforcement Officers, First Responders, Veterans, and even on well known New Tork Times Best Selling Author Jack Carr’s wrist. Of course, I have left out a legion of followers which I will acknowledge in a minute. Now the above-mentioned group has a calling and purpose, and I would like to acknowledge them as they are the reason Forscher Watch Co caught the eye of the SBWC. The above group is a rare breed, a breed that has been exposed to how precious time is. How it can change in a heartbeat. Men and woman that are or have been on the frontline where time matters most. That is not to completely disregard the average joes out there that also put faith in their time piece to get them through their daily routine and their own mission. Everyone’s life has different challenges, and this is where I believe Forscher comes in and fits the bill perfectly. Between the Service Community to the watch collector and blend of both. Forscher makes watches that are not to be worried about, for everyone who plans to use them in the most tough and challenging environments.
Forscher attention to the “Subs” of the past is very apparent in their current line up of watches. From the MK2 MOD 1 to the MK1 Project Broad Arrow. At a reasonable price point these watches reach what I see as a wider group of people who will take their watches into the Fray and not be scared of getting them banged up. A lot of companies have their tiers of watches, their forefront models and then almost a cheesy back up line of stamped out Rolex Homages that are for what appears to be click bait or a chance to get a cheaper model with the companies logo on it. All's fair game to be honest to keep the lights on at these companies, do what you have to do as a company to get by but that’s not Forscher. Forscher's catalogue is strictly (For now) a stand alone retro dive watch profile inspired by the past. This is the sweet spot I mentioned earlier. A spot where people, whether they are new to the watch hobby or, veteran watch collectors or even just someone making a one-time purchase to join them on their adventures will commit to owning a Forscher watch. I find that Forscher nails that spot and is unapologetic about where they stand and frankly, they should be.
I grew up idolizing “Men of Action” like most kids of the 80s and 90s, from reading Fiction like Fleming to the very real stories in Soldier of Fortune Magazine. There was something telling from the world of make believe to the world of reality. Tough men in positions of action loved commemorating their time abroad with a “Sub”. Yes, we have had members do brilliant articles on the “Mil Sub” and the history of the MoD’s legacy with Rolex. But not everyone out there wants a safe queen watch. They want the look and feel of a Rolex without stepping into debt or worse buying a fake watch. Enter Forscher.
Forscher’s mission statement – “There’s something powerful and emotional to Forscher’s designs. You know it when you feel it. Forscher’s guiding philosophy of merging timeless design with function to our timepieces.”
For a more detailed history on Forscher Watch. Head on over to @watchandcountrys review of Forscher. Forscher MKII MoD 0 – sketchyboyzwatchclub.com
MK2 MOD 1 Review
Unboxing
I was in an incredibly stressful time in my life doing some advanced training and came home from an 8-week course to a package on my doorstep. A sense of relief came over me knowing what was inside, something to open and review that would take my mind off the stress of life but also remind me of how hard we all work at the SBWC to keep our daily lives driving forward but also carve time in for a hobby that we share with you all.
Opening the box, I was greeted with a Small Black Pelican Style case with applied yellow and black Forscher branding in the corner. Flipping up the two latches you felt the durability of the case something I will convert into a camera box or survival case for my go bag. It is a nice case and can as I said be very multipurpose. Inside the case is the Warranty card which has a very generous 36-month warranty and a few stickers. Which will gladly find their way to a water bottle and the back of the laptop I am typing this on. The case has been lined with Foam for protection of the contents and there are two slots one for the watch and one for the spare Velcro strap.
First Impressions and Specs
Now I had my first view of the MK2 MOD 1. Initial thoughts were Connery? Then they drifted to Black Bay? and back to reality where I was looking at something uniquely different with nods to both. Picking it up I realised something interesting working my way from the strap inward. 20mm drilled Lugs, making it very friendly to other options and the strap was a CWC (Cabot Watch Company) Olive NATO with Stock Number and classic Arrow Marker. With brushed keepers and buckle it flows well with the watch itself. Already off to a good start for a history nerd like me.
The 41mm 316L Stainless Steel case has been brushed on the top and bottom with polished sides. Very reminiscent in shape to older Submariners. The crown guards rise to the halfway point on the crown providing sufficient protection while still allowing enough purchase. The compass rose signed crown itself is a decent size with comfortable but well-done texture to ensure it operates in austere conditions. Having a screw down crown and caseback leads this watch to a 200M water resistance, perfect for the avid outdoorsman or anyone planning on falling into any body of water. Moving inward your met with a tough to move ceramic and stainless steel 120 click uni-directional bezel. Which in my eyes is a benefit, accidentally moving a bezel is a major pet peeve of mine and this watch will not let that happen. The black ceramic is not overly shiny to a point where it loses attraction and become s smudge magnet. Well done. The dive time engravings in the bezel are very legible, inlaid with C3 Superluminova, with minute hash marks from 0-15. The twelve o’clock is a red triangle another “nod” to watches of old with a lume pip for accurate time keeping.
The Sapphire Crystal is Anti-Reflective Coated, is noticeably clear and slightly raised with a small circumferential bevel leading down to the bezel. Through the sapphire your met with an interesting matte black dial layout. All indices are applied and inlaid with a healthy dose of C3 Superluminova.
At the 12 o’clock you have a small triangle with 3, 6 and 9 being Arabic numerals leaving the rest of the hour markers to be rectangular in shape with polished edges.
Outside the indices is the minute track printed on the dial in white with a red hash mark at every 5-minutes. Keeping a nice flow to the colour scheme between the bezel and dial. To the flanks of the 6 o’clock position is USA Made and JPN MOVT. Representing that Forscher watches are in fact assembled in America and run a Japanese Movement. Moving inward you have three lines of text just above the 6 stating in red circle with “C3” inside indicating the Lume applied, another “nod” to the old Tritium days. Nice. Under the Lume is the word “Automatic” in white as well as the water resistance of 600ft=200m.
Under the 12 o’clock you have the Forscher branding with a Brilliant Yellow Gold coloured compass rose and FORSCHER printed in white. The hands are one of my favourite parts of this watch. The sword hour hand is a classic. With the minute hand reaching just shy of the printed minute track, this watch reads very well. The second’s hand is spear shaped also reaching the minute track perfectly for down to the second timing. All three hands are polished helping in low light conditions even if the lume has begun to fade your still able to pick up a small glare of the hands and get accurate reading of the time. Turning the watch over you have an almost Sterile brushed and polished case back with a ring of stats about the watch “CALIBRE NH35A REF 9784514 USA Made No. 154 FORSCHER WATCH CO”. Very well done and clean. In fact, just seeing this now the No. 154 is the room number I spent months of my life in while training to become a Infantry Soldier back in 2008. What are the odds? Wild. Just made this watch that much more special to me. Under the case back you have a reliable workhorse Japanese Movement the NH38A commonly used and a watch movement that can be serviced by most watch makers.
On the wrist
This watch feels like it should be on the wrist of an action hero driving a Land Cruiser through the Desert, or at the helm of a sailboat cruising into Jamaica, or maybe even under the cuff of a linen shirt at a Caribbean casino. The colourway and distinct shape give it an ambiance of class and rugged versatility.
The watch lays flat on the issued CWC strap, which is nice, its not bulky and the 41mm case dimension is on the top end for me in watch diameters but fits flush and does not impact the back of my hand or wrist while doing pushups. Being an epic combo of many Nods to the past this watch has some serious character. Taking it outside you get to truly see the brushed vs polished sides and the colours of the watch. The C3 adds a faint green to the dive time bezel markings and applied indices on the dial. As much as I am huge fan of the contrast of white indices to black dial this is a welcomed change to the collection. As stated above this watch is a strap monster at 20mm and has made its way onto a VULCANIZED Tropic Rubber Strap which I feel fits the vibe of retro vintage diver. That does not mean I have not put it on leather too, to class it up a bit and man does it ever fit well. I have noticed some looks at my wrist while attending a wedding with many other attendees sporting Rolex and Omega. It is a conversation piece, and I like that about it. Like most Micro Brands they have their own environment I feel. One that can lead to negative or positive opinions, but I feel with a little explanation the latter is the over all feeling. The question “Where can I get one?” was tossed about and that leads me to my conclusion.
There is a niche world with micro brand watches like Forscher, a place that transcends watch nerd to frontline elite soldier to again a combo of both. One that I whole heartedly support. I look forward to what else Forscher is cooking up.
Id like to thank Forscher and our English connection over at @watchandcountry for being instrumental in setting up this watch for review. The MK2 MOD 1 has a place in my collection and will be rotated in when I plan to go off the beaten path and create more memories to add to the DNA of this killer watch. Head on over to Forscher's new site. Browse their collection, send them some love on IG and other socials.
Forscher Watch is SBWC Approved.
As Always,
Stay Sketchy
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