The Satori Companion is just that: the perfect everyday companion
Time+TideThere is always a point in the life of a watch collector when it’s time to bring things back to the basics. Either at the very beginning of the horological journey – when one is only interested in owning a single watch – or at some point in the middle when one is looking for simplicity after years of collecting and acquiring expensive and/or complex timepieces. That leads us to Satori Watches and the Companion: the first model from a new brand designed to go with you anywhere you go and anytime.
The case
A watch meant to be your companion on all of your journeys should have dimensions and looks that are versatile: a case neither too small nor too big, and a general appearance that is neither too elegant nor too utilitarian – so that your watch can be legible, comfortable, and fly under the radar. I think Satori struck the perfect balance here on both fronts. First, with the dimensions: 41mm in diameter, 47mm lug-to-lug, 11.5mm thick, and 20mm lug width. It’s also got a screw-down case-back and 100 meters of water resistance, the gold standard for an everyday watch that has subdued allures of adventure.
The case is endowed with a satin finish bead-blasted treatment which overall reduces the visual footprint of the watch whilst guaranteeing that it can handle shocks and scratches. Although this type of finish generally confers on a watch a strong air of utilitarianism, here somehow it doesn’t do as much. Perhaps this is due to the otherwise simple case design where the long and thin lugs complement the scalloped fixed bezel – the latter adding a bit of visual interest. The small but perfectly notched crown melts with the design of the bezel so that it’s easy to grab and operate but doesn’t stand out too much.
The dial
If one must only own a single watch or is looking for that perfect everyday Companion (sorry, couldn’t help myself) then one must be sure to have a legible and functional timepiece. Once again I’d argue Satori did a great job. The fully printed Arabic hour markers are easy to read whichever colour variants you might go for (because yes, there are six of them: black, purple, red, blue, green and white) as the dial colours are all unified and matte, which makes the hour markers pop and, combined to syringe style hour and minute hands, reading the time couldn’t be easier.
Furthermore, a large date aperture can be found at six o’clock for everyday functionality and all of this is protected by a flat piece of sapphire crystal complete with several layers of inner anti-reflective coating. If you find yourself needing to set the precise time or are curious to know what the local time translates to in military parlance, a legible minute track printed on the slanted rehaut (complete with Arabic numerals highlighting the 5-minute increments) as well as a 24-hour scale printed on the centre of the dial make it easy to tell accurate time.
Although all of this sounds like a lot of information to display on the dial, Satori managed to integrate all these elements quite seamlessly. Furthermore, the simple branding with the logo at the 12 and the words “Satori” and “Automatic” at the six, helps keep the dial clear and clean.
From a nighttime functionality perspective, the Satori Companion is endowed with generous applications of BGW9 Super-LumiNova on the hour markers, five-minute indicators on the rehaut and all three hands as well as the Arabic numerals on the date wheel. This treatment of the date complication, coupled with a lumed triangle on the rehaut, makes it easy to read the time at any hour.
The strap
In terms of straps, the Satori Companion will be delivered with a sailcloth-type fabric strap with leather backing and quick-release spring bars, colour-matched to the dials. Furthermore, backers have the option to add a bead-blasted stainless steel bracelet as an add-on. Note that Satori will provide an additional rubber strap as a first stretch goal once the campaign reaches £30,000/A$58,000.
The movement
The Satori Companion is equipped with the Miyota 9015, a tried-and-tested movement that beats at 4 Hz and has 42 hours of power reserve. The movement, although simple in appearance, can be viewed thanks to a sapphire see-through case-back, exposing its customised rotor.
Satori Companion pricing & availability
The Satori Companion is currently available via a Kickstarter campaign running through to March 10th 2024, with shipping slated for July 2024. Price: the current discounted price for the Companion is A$616 and the full retail price will be about A$726.
| Brand | Satori |
| Model | Companion |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 11.5mm (T) x 47mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Sand-blasted stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Purple / Blue / Black / Red / Green / White |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Fabric with leather backing |
| Movement | Miyota 9015, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Availability | Available now on Kickstarter |
| Price | A$616 |