Audric, a New Brand Based in Singapore, Unveils their SeaBorne 500 Diver

Audric is a new, small watch brand based in Singapore and set to launch their first watch, the SeaBorne 500, on Kickstarter. The SeaBorne enters a crowded field of competitively priced dive watches, but possesses a certain flair and style that sets it apart. It’s one of the truisms of the micro-brand watch world that you don’t necessarily need to find a large audience to be successful, but just enough adventurous watch lovers who jive with your particular style and feature set. Let’s take a look at what the SeaBorne 500 has to offer.

Audric SeaBorne 500

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Gray, green, blue, black
• Dimensions: 43 x 15.4 x 51mm 
• Crystal: Sapphire       
• Water Resistance: 500 meters
• Crown: Screw down                     
• Movement: Sellita SW 200-1
• Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet
• Price: $1,000
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: Kickstarter in June 

One look at the SeaBorne reveals that it’s a purpose built tool watch with just a bit of a twist. To me, the case has an angular nature to it that reminds me of chunky sports watches of the 70s. The colorful and playful dials are also very reminiscent of a period in watch design where brands were more likely to break the rules and go their own way. The rainbow of colors in the rehaut actually point to a key feature of the Seaborne: they are meant to act as a depth gauge. While Audric isn’t the first brand to implement a feature like this in a dive watch, it’s fairly uncommon. Here’s how it works, in a nutshell: water impacts our ability to detect wavelengths of light. Red is absorbed first, followed by orange and yellow. The theory here is that by looking at the SeaBorne’s dial at depth, you get a rough sense of how deep you’ve gone based on what colors are visible to you on the dial. This feels like more of a romantic notion than a serious way to keep track of your depth during what is, after all, a somewhat dangerous activity (in other words, don’t rely on the SeaBorne as a substitute for a dive computer), but Audric gets points for trying something new, and figuring out a clever way to intentionally work some color into their design. 

In terms of specs, the SeaBorne is comparable to many professional divers. As the name of the watch implies, it carries a full 500 meters of water resistance, and is also equipped with a helium escape valve. The watch is powered by a Sellita SW 200-1 movement, and is assembled in Switzerland. 

The case is big and bold, measuring 43mm across and 51mm from lug to lug. It’s also 15.4mm thick, making this a certifiably chunky diver. Audric sees the Seaborne as a robust diver suitable for everyday wear, and is available in a variety of dial colors from conservative gray to a more in your face green. My personal favorite is the light blue, which has a particularly casual, summer feeling to it. 

When the Kickstarter launches in June, early bird pricing will be set at $600 for early Kickstarter backers, with the final retail price being $1,000. If you like what you see, you can sign up for updates on the progress of Audric’s Kickstarter campaign on their website. Audric