MKII Sea Fighter on UTS Mesh

[Dan Pierce]

I miss my Marathon as much as my son loves wearing it. Damn kids. So I was looking for a replacement. Wanted a simple, practical, beater/ diver with as many features as possible at a good price.

Meet the MKII Sea Fighter on UTS mesh. Designed after the 1970's, German Navy issued, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Bill Yao has prebuilt Swiss made sport watches as well as custom ordered versions he assembles in the US. This model, excluding the UTS mesh, was a pre made example. Either can be ordered online.
The package includes:
- 42.35mm diameter case.
- ETA Day/date version featuring highly decorated Elabore grade 2836 movement
- WR at 200m, double gasket, w/ large screw down crown @ 4:00.
- 12 hour, unidirectional, GMT bezel.
- double domed, AR coated, sapphire crystal
- Military dial, black
- Polished or bead blasted case.
- Very comfortable rubber strap.
- 22mm strap w/ screw pins
- 3 watch carrying case w/ strap removal tools, Loctite, extra screw pin.
- Superluminova
- Day/date
- MSRP $685.00
UTS Mesh:
- 5mm thick w/ double deployant clasp.
- Polished.
- German made and hand finished.
Impressions:
Wears much like a Marathon with it's deep set dial. The SF bezel has a lower profile in comparison. The 2nd time zone will make this the perfect beater for travel. The highly polished case and mesh bracelet were a concern at first but it's much less bling than feared. The watch has substantial weight and although the rubber strap is extremely comfortable the added heft of the mesh balances the watch when worn very nicely. Plus, the comfort of the mesh was a real suprise. Lots of compliance for such a thick mesh.
All in all, more features than the Marathon, a classic yet unusual design, feature packed, tool watch.
Thanks for reading,
dP

[Letsgodiving]

That is just a GREAT looking watch. I have long admired the Mk II's and that bracelet is something else.

[mailman]

Fantastic watch Dan Lots of luck and enjoy it in good health

[Terry Newton]

Dan:

That sure looks like it is going to last for a long time. That is quite the rugged looking watch for the money. I love the fit and finish for a $685.00 watch. The band looks like it will hold up well and the case looks bulletproof.

You picked a fine watch. Nice review.

Terry Newton

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Terry Newton

Dan:

That sure looks like it is going to last for a long time. That is quite the rugged looking watch for the money. I love the fit and finish for a $685.00 watch. The band looks like it will hold up well and the case looks bulletproof.

You picked a fine watch. Nice review.

Terry Newton

Thanks, everybody.
Terry, the mesh was extra and at $345.00 it wasn't cheap. But still well worth it IMHO.
dP

[fear]

WOW! That's a great watch. I have the Vantage (explorer homage). Check out what Bill Yao's newest creations! All from his site.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by fear

WOW! That's a great watch. I have the Vantage (explorer homage). Check out what Bill Yao's newest creations! All from his site.

The LRRP [Exp II] will not be ready till spring 2009 or later. Great value for the price.
dP

[fear]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

The LRRP [Exp II] will not be ready till spring 2009 or later. Great value for the price.
dP

You're correct. But a guy can lock one in for a 300 deposit.

[Henry T]

Wow! makes me want to run out to buy the watch now, but Bill's is half a world away.

Love that mesh bracelet too.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by fear

You're correct. But a guy can lock one in for a 300 deposit.

Half of me likes the LRRP, especially the rotating bezel, but my rational side says buy an EXP II instead. The Sea Fighter, although a design nod to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, it still different enough to stand on it's own. Maybe the LRRP just hits too close to home.
dP

[TheDude]

I have had a LRRP deposit in since late-spring. Bill just opened up the actual ordering pages for the LRRP. I will be finalizing the specs of my LRRP by the end of December.


FYI - the LRRP ordering pages have DLC (matte black diamond-like coating) as an option!

[jm433]

Very nice. I've been intrigued by MKII watches for a while. I have a feeling I'll pick one up some day.

[Dr.B]

I like the watch and mesh. Where can I get that UTS Mesh.....?

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by jm433

Very nice. I've been intrigued by MKII watches for a while. I have a feeling I'll pick one up some day.

You won't be sorry - fantastic watches. My Vantage is a pre-built Swiss, but it's going in for some lint removal... which should get it a bit of the "custom TLC".

My LRRP will be a custom. Bill Yao confirmed verbally that he sees more issues with lint, etc... on the pre-builts. Apparently, Swiss government regulations on movements now stipulate that they can only be exported inside completed timepieces, so even the custom MkII pieces started life as "whole" watches.

If you read closely, the MkII specifications claim that the pre-builts are only timed in 3 positions (standard treatment for Elabore-grade ETA). However, when the watches are pulled apart and turned into customs, Bill times them in 6 positions.


IMO, it is a case of patience being a very valuable virtue. :)

[Dan Pierce]

I have no lint issue at all. In fact, the fit and finish is spot on. And I'm as anal as the best of us. My SF is running +5 sec per day. Have not found any faults or reason why this watch sells for $685.00. Great value. And the UTS mesh is a wonder. Can't believe more manufacturers don't utilize this comfortable and compliant format for their bracelets. Mesh doesn't show scratches, appears to not be prone to stretching, and looks great.
dP

[skyfan28]

Awesome watch.......that is a class act! How does this watch rate with the Marathon?

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by skyfan28

Awesome watch.......that is a class act! How does this watch rate with the Marathon?

Thanks.
At 42mm it's got a wider stance than the Marathon. Thick but not as tall as the Marathon. I like the crown at 4:00. Also like the polished finish much more than I expected. But brushed fits the Marathon tool image well too.
dP

[skyfan28]

Dan, let me know if you're ever interested in selling either of these beautiful watches.

[hflee55]

very nice!

[tthopp05]

I like em,nice watches

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by skyfan28

Dan, let me know if you're ever interested in selling either of these beautiful watches.

Will do.

Originally Posted by hflee55

very nice!

Originally Posted by tthopp05

I like em,nice watches

Thanks, guys.
dP

[Ultraman]

Great review and great watches, Dan!