Latest Review
Like many of you, I assume, my passion for watches stems from an interest and nerdery for gear. Finding the perfect piece of kit, playing with new options, and spending hours online researching things that will never end up being purchased all entertain me to no end. Easily the hardest thing to get a digital grasp on though is quality as the excitement of opening a new package melts away with disappointment in the end product. So, when you find a brand that consistently offers quality, product after product, you should probably sign up for their notifications. While I will admit I was not an early follower of Watches Of Espionage, I properly course-corrected, jumping on the bandwagon once I took a closer look at the content and eventually the products.
For those that don’t know, Watches Of Espionage was started by a former Case Officer within the CIA focusing on horological content specifically related to espionage. Officially established in 2021, W.O.E. has quickly expanded into a full-fledged online publication, online store, high-level YouTube channel, and engaged community further bolstered by the addition of watch industry veteran and former commercial diver Benjamin Lowry (@submersiblewrist on Instagram) to the W.O.E team. As more and more limited runs of pouches, straps, and knives amongst other things began to show up in my feed, the W.O.E. branding made way to staple collections and consistent products, and the W.O.E. name became increasingly cemented in the enthusiast mind. While many content creators attempt to generate revenue through merchandise sales, few strive to put the time and effort into producing truly high-quality items akin to the content their audience clamors for.
If you watched our recent video “Worn & Wound Team’s Most Worn Watches Of 2024” or listened to our podcast, you probably have heard me mention that I almost always swap out a stock watch strap for one that I prefer. More specifically, the Watches Of Espionage collection of nylon straps. Whether it is the Five Eye Nylon Watch Strap or their Glomar Explorer – Hook and Loop Watch Strap, I always have one of their straps at the ready for my non-braceleted collection of watches. The reason is very simple: quality. A tight weave nylon offering the perfect blend of rigidity and comfort is a hard thing to find, let alone adding in the excellent hardware. Milled to sit flatter on the wrist, the hardware creates a wearing experience unlike any other, feeling secure and low profile, a common gripe of mine regarding straps of this type. So, when I heard that W.O.E was releasing their version of a wrist compass I was eager to get my hands on one.
While certainly a fun accessory to add to your watch for wrist shots or flat lay photos, most wrist compasses on the market are not made to the highest quality leading to failures or inconsistencies. For a short period, I had a compass equipped to the strap of my Seiko SKX meant to create the ultimate hiking companion. Two slight knocks later and it sure didn’t. I cracked the housing on the compass, spilling its internal liquid into the dirt and rendering it $20 wasted. That was the last time I considered wearing a compass on my watch strap and chalked the concept up to a gimmick. Now though, a W.O.E. Submersible Wrist Compass built on the founding motto “Use Your Tools” absolutely has my attention.
Packaged in a branded aluminum tin padded for the journey, my new wrist compass strap modification has been getting some proper wrist time. In typical fashion, the quality is instantly recognizable. Crafted from matte grade 2 titanium, the Submersible Wrist Compass features a milled unibody housing for the compass within. Initially available in two different sizes, 20 or 22mm, the case measures 24.5mm in diameter. The milled strap slot holds a tight tolerance ensuring a snug fit keeping the compass in place rather than sliding up and down like other options. With a total thickness of 12mm, the compass only sits roughly 9mm above your strap keeping it thinner than most watches you would pair it with. It casts a restrained silhouette often not being noticed during daily wear.
Under the domed crystal sits the primary dial surface encased in oil. A unique but familiar layout, the compass dial was inspired by the Walham/W.C.C. compasses worn by Special Ops During the Vietnam War. An oversized arrow marks north with clear demarcations giving you the other typical compass directions. What may not be immediately apparent though is that this dial features lume, and really good lume at that. The arrow and large directional markers are all treated with Swiss-made Super-LumiNova C3, a feature they claim is a first for strap compasses. As mentioned, daytime legibility is great but when the lights go out the dial lights up potentially putting your watch to shame.
Another unique feature of this compass is hinted at in the name, Submersible Wrist Compass. This small but mighty tool boasts an impressive 100 meters of water resistance proudly stamped on its underside. It should come as no surprise based on the testing that the W.O.E. team has put it through that this compass is built to be used in demanding situations. It also doesn’t hurt to have a former diver and fellow gear nerd on the team helping to develop this product line. The culmination is a purpose-built compass meant to complement a proper dive kit that can assist in general wayfinding. While I am not a certified diver yet, I do hope to take the compass underwater soon and am absolutely chomping at the bit to take it sailing to aid in navigation and tactics. W.O.E.
