Aragon Regeneron 45mm Dive Watch
I was trying to scale back my watch purchases, but when this watch was launched at the ridiculous introductory price of $99, with a RRP of $400 (plus shipping & import duties) which totalled just about £135 and seemed to address many of the issues that ‘niggled’ me about my previous Aragon Divemaster (which I still do love to wear) I bought one. As with all Aragon ‘Sale’ watches, they do offer phenomenal value for money – in this instance in sheer weight alone as sized for my 7 ¼ inch wrist (4 links removed) it weighs in at a not inconsiderable 244grms! This is no doubt partially due to the 5mm thick stainless steel bracelet, though there is no getting away from the fact that the watch head itself is a substantial beast; nearly 17.5mm thick, with a diameter of 45mm (and if that’s not big enough for you they do a 50mm version – well it is Aragon after all). Lug to lug I measure a shade over 53mm, which again may seem long, but given the case design, combined with the bracelet’s recessed centred/drop end links, it contours beautifully to the wrist.
I decided to go for the green dial version as I don’t currently own a watch of this colour (well actually I do but my youngest son has commandeered it as his) though as again this is a Aragon, there are loads of vibrant colour options to choose from.
So what were the features that this has that let down the original Divemaster? Primarily the handset, the original had a very stubby hour hand which I found difficult to see where it was actually pointing in low light, the handset on the Regeneron is superb, though I'm not too big a fan of the Aragon logo used as the counterbalance on the second hand. Next the bezel insert, was Aluminium, and mine has accumulated quite a few scratches, even though I consider myself to be quite careful with my watches. Now with this model a vastly superior (blue) lumed full stainless steel bezel, it has a really nice design, feels totally rock solid, but at the same time very easy to turn thanks to the knurled edge.
I decided to go for the green dial version as I don’t currently own a watch of this colour (well actually I do but my youngest son has commandeered it as his) though as again this is a Aragon, there are loads of vibrant colour options to choose from.
So what were the features that this has that let down the original Divemaster? Primarily the handset, the original had a very stubby hour hand which I found difficult to see where it was actually pointing in low light, the handset on the Regeneron is superb, though I'm not too big a fan of the Aragon logo used as the counterbalance on the second hand. Next the bezel insert, was Aluminium, and mine has accumulated quite a few scratches, even though I consider myself to be quite careful with my watches. Now with this model a vastly superior (blue) lumed full stainless steel bezel, it has a really nice design, feels totally rock solid, but at the same time very easy to turn thanks to the knurled edge.
So after a week on the wrist, what do I think of the Regeneron? It is definitely comfortable to wear given the size and weight, thanks to those dropped end links, but this also has a slight downside in that visually it’s a bit ungainly looking insomuch as the bracelet being 5mm thick, it looks very ‘gappy’ at that end link where it drops down the wrist. Visually the watch is never going to win any prizes for elegance, having a purposeful; angular, industrial look especially with the heavy knurled finish to the centre section of the bracelet, bezel edge and superb chunky crown.
Newly arrived, going through evaluation - look out for updates shortly.
