The Arena Vanitas proves there’s no futility in more microbrand divers
Buffy Acacia
I’ll gladly admit that many microbrands’ approach to marketing makes me roll my eyes, but it’s a rare and happy treat when the watch evokes a double-take. Arena, a fresh-faced microbrand, is definitely the kind to wax poetic, but the Arena Vanitas shines through as one of the most thoughtfully designed and best-value dive watches I have seen in a long time. It may not be a Baroque work of art, but it could be your next purchase.
For context, the Arena Vanitas is named after an art movement that took off in the Netherlands from the end of the Renaissance and into the Baroque period of the 16th and 17th centuries. It incorporates still life with themes of death, decay, and despair, and uses the term “vanitas” in the literal Latin sense of futility. It could be considered a subset of memento mori, which encourages viewers to remember they will die – however, it leans more heavily into an air of pointlessness, rather than optimism. Aside from an engraved caseback and a muted colour palette which I will address shortly, there isn’t anything on this watch that connects it to Dutch oil paintings. However, its design, quality, and specifications are totally deserving of close inspection regardless.
The case
The Arena Vanitas never strays too far from the realms of an archetypal 1960s dive watch, but it does so in a way that feels intentional rather than derivative. The lugs are fairly stubby and wide-set but chamfered smoothly with a polished sweep up into the case. The upper surface brushing maintains a level of utility across the watch, while the polished edge of the bezel balances the shine again. The bezel insert is also brushed circularly, and made of black, scratch-resistant DLC-coated steel with fully-luminous markers.
At 39mm, the Arena Vanitas is on point for the current sizing trend and should remain an attractive and versatile size for decades to come. The 47mm lug-to-lug length removes any risk of overhang on the average wrist, while still feeling proportional. Most impressive is the total thickness of just 11.6mm, including a 2mm domed sapphire crystal. Of course, it’s a proper dive watch thanks to a 200-metre water resistance rating that’s locked in with a screw-down crown.
The dial
In a classic case of deceptive simplicity, the Vanitas’ dial rewards close inspection. At a quick glance from afar, you may assume that the dial is fairly generic, but there are plenty of small details that deserve appreciation. Most pressingly, the white chapter ring is complete with minute printed minute markers and luminous dots that reflect their own luminous glow, creating an almost spooky green ring around the dial after dark. It’s a fantastic little bit of separation between the dial and the bezel which is often overlooked in the design of a dive watch.
The circular, applied hour markers may be small, but their polished rings stand out through reflectivity and the strength of the C3 Super-LumiNova inside. Solid blocks of the same lume form the batons at 12, 6 and 9, each supported by a small metal strut on either side. The date display at 3 o’clock isn’t too distracting with its white background thanks to the symmetry with the 9 o’clock marker, and the pop of red on the seconds hand nicely pairs with the Vanitas logo in a script typeface.
The movement
Aside from its design, one of the most appealing prospects of the Arena Vanitas is its movement. The Sellita SW200-1 would have been an easy and acceptable choice, but the use of a SW300-1 breaks it into the upper echelon. As a clone of the ETA 2829-A2, this thin automatic movement has been prized for decades as an option for luxury Swiss watches that is still relatively accessible. It’s been used by big-box brands like Hublot, IWC and Oris, and it still forms the base for TAG Heuer’s Calibre 7 that powers some of the brand’s Carrera models. The 56 hours of power reserve is also a nice upgrade which neither the ETA original nor the SW200-1 can claim, retaining the smooth beat rate of 4Hz. It’s also a Top-grade movement with COSC-level accuracy within -4/+6 seconds per day (although it’s not actually COSC-certified). That means it’s decorated nicely too, but that’s hidden behind a gorgeous caseback engraving of an hourglass and the brand logos.
The bracelet
Further proving that Arena cuts no corners, the beads-of-rice bracelet looks phenomenal. The polished beads and brushed flanks are a classic look for any vintage-inspired dive watch, but it’s also executed in a way that compliments the thinness of the watch case. The folding clasp is milled with double security pushers and a foldover clip for added safety, plus it features on-the-fly micro-adjustment with six points to perfect your fitment. That’s the kind of feature that consumers are desperate to see in far more expensive watches, yet mostly see in microbrands. The watch also comes with a vulcanised rubber strap and drilled lugs for ease of swapping, plus the lug width is 20mm so you have plenty of aftermarket options available too.
To be clear, I have absolutely nothing against the Vanitas theme. I only wish that the watch itself reflected that story more, perhaps by incorporating a skull motif somewhere on the dial, or some other small easter egg if versatility is a priority. Still, the futility of life and death aside, the watch itself doesn’t leave much to be desired. As a limited edition of 300 pieces, I have no doubt that Arena will sell out its inaugural run and earn a sequel or two in the coming years. At a time when hundreds of microbrands are all trying to offer the most value for money, Arena has still managed to make a strong impression.
Arena Vanitas price and availability
The Arena Vanitas is limited to 300 pieces and is available now. Price: US$1,430
| Brand | Arena |
| Model | Vanitas |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 11.6mm (T) x 47mm (LTL) |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black |
| Bracelet and strap | Stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet Additional black vulcanised rubber strap |
| Movement | Sellita SW300-1, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 56 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, diving bezel |
| Availability | Limited to 300 pieces |
| Price | US$1,430 |
Made in partnership with Arena Timepieces. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.