Serica replay the greats with the deliciously chocolatey Ref. 8315 Travel Chronometer
Mitchell BarberSerica have always been one of those brands that have caught my eye as I speed-scroll on my Instagram feed. I slow right down when I see their vintage-inspired quirkiness pass under my fingertips. Up until today though, I had never seen one in person. Not ten minutes after I started writing this article, someone walked into the Time+Tide studio wearing a 5303 Diving Chronometer with a crystal blue bezel. It’s funny how things work out. For this Micro Mondays, we’re taking a look at the Ref. 8315 Travel Chronometer, a watch that is one part GMT, one part art exhibition and one part chronometric workhorse.
The case
With brushed and polished surfaces, the case of the Ref. 8315 has a nice balance of utility and elegance. A 39mm diameter and a thickness of 12.2mm are on the larger end of what vintage enthusiasts will consider acceptable, though is by no means oversized. The addition of a fourth hand added to the height of the handstack, and Serica retained the double-domed sapphire crystal and 200 metres of water resistance, so the overall thickness is also justified. Twisted lugs protrude out from a relatively simple case middle, and a closed caseback finishes off what is a vintage-styled affair. You have the choice of either a 3 o’clock or a 9 o’clock crown, a choice keeping in line with Serica’s previous releases.
A bi-colour monobloc ceramic insert in desert red and ivory (love those colour names) matches the dial tones well, and is an impressive feat considering the difficulties in producing single-piece ceramic in multiple colours. The two colours themselves act as an asymmetrical day/night indicator, with the day section stretching slightly past the 6 and 9 positions. This isn’t noticeable at first but a nice touch that doesn’t make my eye twitch like I thought it would. The engraved numerals echo the colour of the dial and the words Ante Meridian (a.m.) and Post Meridian (p.m.) are featured on the white and brown sections, respectively. It’s a nice talking point for the eagle-eyed, time zone nerds amongst you. Another will surely be the unique graduation of the bezel, separated into two 12-hour segments, rather than the more traditional 24-hour style. It’s unconventional, but to those more accustomed to telling time in a 12-hour format, may even be easier to use.
The dial
Finally, someone listened to the cries of watch enthusiasts and didn’t put a date window on the dial. Some would argue that a date on a GMT is essential, and while their point is valid, I believe its omission to be justified in this case. It just wouldn’t have looked right with the cleanliness of the dial, so I’m happy to sacrifice some functionality. A simple “Hey Siri” should fix this lack of practical information. And the dial really is clean. Like Serica’s other models, there’s no branding in sight, which to certain brand could seem like marketing suicide. In Serica’s case, it’s just further proof of the brand’s catering to enthusiasts and belief in their own design language.
While the dial may be minimalist in its appointments, it’s the absolute opposite in its colourway. An enamel finish adds warmth and depth to the brown tones without making it look fauxtina-ed. The broad arrow handset with generously applied C3 Super-Luminova is a stylistic win, as is the lollipop-style GMT hand. While it may not be the most accurate way of indicating time, the visual interest it brings is once again a worthwhile trade-off.
The strap
As you may expect from a well-thought-out retro piece, the strap isn’t your run-of-the-mill NATO, either. Serica opt for an “injected and textured” natural rubber, fitted to a stainless steel pin buckle adorned with the brand’s logo. The result is a Tropic-like look that’s slimmer, with an aggressive taper from 20mm down to 15mm at the clasp.
The true novelty of the strap situation, however, are the end-links. End-links, you say, with a rubber strap? Fitting flush with the case was traditionally something reserved for bent spring bars (a logistical nightmare) or metal bracelets, but Serica are bringing the love to straps with their integrated, decorated end-links. The vertical pattern extends from the bezel down through the end links, making them feel like they’re meant to be there. If you’re not a fan, you can order your Ref. 8315 without the funky end-links, the choice is yours (but you really should get them).
The movement
Serica have recently introduced chronometer certification for their watches, and the Soprod C125 in the Travel Chronometer is no exception. Here, it’s taken to the next level with further testing once the movements are actually in the case. This isn’t necessary to achieve COSC certification, but demonstrates a superlative level of attention to detail. Don’t sue me, Rolex. The Swiss-made calibre boasts a 42-hour power reserve with a 4Hz beat rate, and though it’s hidden behind a solid caseback, Serica also mention a côtes de Genève finish.
Serica Ref. 8315 Travel Chronometer pricing and availability
The Serica 8315 Travel Chronometer is now available from the brand’s website. Price: €1,890
| Brand | Serica |
| Model | Travel Chronometer |
| Reference | 8315 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 12.2mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Double-dome sapphire front |
| Dial | Black or dark brown enamel |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Bracelet | Textured natural rubber, steel pin buckle |
| Movement | Soprod C125 COSC, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, GMT hand |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | € 1,890 |