MICRO MONDAYS: The BOLDR Odyssey Freediver melds style and substance at an eyebrow-raising price
Thor SvaboeBOLDR is a well-established microbrand with a strong following, which we covered earlier this year in a story on their tough, keenly priced Venture titanium field watch. We suspect there might be something new coming in January (hint!) but, for the moment, let’s take a look at the rugged BOLDR Odyssey Freediver that’s recently been released in five fresh versions.
The Freediver is a cool diver’s watch at a perfectly sized 40mm with a 14mm thickness and BOLDR’s first custom 316L steel bracelet. Even from the dark stealthy teaser shots, the watch’s tough, angular shape immediately strikes you, with the strong dynamic of the downturned lugs with their intricate side bevel catching the eye. For a small brand like BOLDR, the quality of the case work and distinctive design suggests this diver will punch hard above its price point.
To accentuate the angular, bead blasted case design, the lugs and crown guards have polished bevels that’ll give you a flash of reflection in the light for a signature BOLDR move. The large screw-in crown has an engraved logo, and a groove cut into the side, echoing the design of the technical diver’s bezel. All the Freedivers come on a bead-blasted steel bracelet with a folding clasp and quick-release system. To further enhance the ergonomics of the short-lugged 40mm case, the end links of the bracelet are fitted at an acute angle to allow it to flow with the natural curvature of your wrist.
But let’s be honest: while the case and bracelet are impressive, what immediately catches your attention are the delicious fresh colours of the dials in each of their four versions. The dials are all framed by a classic 60-minute unidirectional diver’s bezel in a tough ceramic with a brushed surface. They display a stepped rehaut with a raised minute track and offer strong legibility and crisp applied details.
Lume application is strong with silver button hour markers and Arabic numerals that are enlarged at three, nine and 12. The vintage-inspired date window is positioned at 6 and is delicately framed in silver. The green and dark burgundy iterations of the dial feel more retro with their grained texture and delectable fume depth, but overall the design language is resolutely modern.
The blunt dagger hands are recognisable BOLDR signature details, and there’s a fresh pop of colour in the lollipop seconds hand. All dial details are applied, underlining the attention to detail from the BOLDR design team. A favourite flourish that pleases my OCD dial-obsessive eye, is the small orange marker at 12 on the minute track matching the lollipop seconds tip.
The top-tier Meteo models, meanwhile, offer the awe-inspiring texture of meteorite dials, with each one totally unique. These dials are made from stone extracted from the Muoninalusta meteorite located in Sweden, so the dial is made from a material older than Mother Earth.
The thick crystal is AR treated sapphire and, under a custom Kraken-engraved caseback, we find the trusted accuracy of the Miyota 9015 automatic movement, one of the best ETA competitors out there. So whether you get drawn into the depths of the dark forest green fume of the 202, or the monochrome toughness of the Meteo 113’s meteorite dial, the BOLDR Odyssey Freediver is one hardy 40mm tool watch.
BOLDR Odyssey Freediver, price and availability:
The BOLDR Odyssey Freediver is available from $649 US. For more details, visit BOLDR.