In-depth review of the Octopus Kraken OCT16 watch - a perfect blend of vintage and contemporary

As a watch enthusiast, I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the OCT16 watch from the Octopus Kraken brand. I was impressed by this timepiece that combines vintage design with modern elements, and I'll bring you a detailed review of it from multiple dimensions below.

Unboxing

The OCT16 is a classic 36mm watch, and I chose the dark blue dial version. At first glance, it is a perfect blend of vintage "Air King" style bezel and modern "Datejust" style dial design, which is quite ingenious. The package includes the watch body, 316L stainless steel bracelet and related manual, and the overall presentation is simple and generous.

Parameters

Price: the base model is priced at $233 (about RMB 1,680), can be upgraded to the Swiss Sellita SW200 movement for an additional $580

Size: 36mm in diameter, only 10.9mm thick, lugs spacing of 20mm, lug-to-lug length of 43mm

Weight: ~123g after removing the two bracelet sections (fits 7.5-inch wrist circumference)

Material: 316L stainless steel case, sapphire crystal (with anti-reflective coating)

Water Resistance: 100 meters (screw-down crown and caseback)

Movement: choice of Chinese PT5000 or Swiss Sellita SW200 (both ETA 2824-2 clones) First Impressions Out of the Box

The OCT16 comes in a classic 36mm diameter design, and I chose this one in a dark blue dial version. At first glance, it's a nice mix of the vintage "Air King" style machined bezel and the modern "Datejust" style dial design. The package includes the watch body, 316L stainless steel bracelet and related manual, and the overall presentation is simple and generous.

Design and wearability

The OCT16's 36mm diameter is particularly sophisticated in the modern trend for larger watches, but the flat bezel adds a touch of presence. 10.9mm of thickness is well controlled and slips easily into the cuffs of a formal shirt.

In practice, the watch is surprisingly light and well-balanced, with a 43mm lug spacing that ensures it fits a wide range of wrist sizes, and a weight of 123 grams that makes you almost forget it's there. It is particularly noteworthy that, despite its small diameter, it avoids looking too feminine or old-fashioned through a clever design language.

The finishing of the case is commendable: the top of the lugs are angularly brushed, while the sides are high-gloss polished, with a natural and smooth transition. The screw-down crown is only 6 mm in diameter, which makes it a little tight to maneuver, but ensures overall visual coherence.

DIAL AND READABILITY

The dark blue dial is subtly altered in different light conditions - a delicate sunburst effect in bright light and an almost black color in low light conditions - a versatility that adds to the pleasure of wearing the watch.

The hour-markers are set in three dimensions, with a double baton at 12 o'clock and a single baton at the rest of the dial. The hands are just the right length - the hour hand just touches the hour markers, while the minute hand points perfectly to the minute scale - and the date window at 3 o'clock, with its 2.5x magnifying glass, is clear to read.

The luminescent performance is stunning! Adopting BGW9 luminescent material, it appears white in the daytime and turns into ice blue at night, with long-lasting brightness. Measured all night can be clearly read, which is rare in the same price range.

Movement Performance Analysis

The movement I'm reviewing is the Chinese-made PT5000 (a clone of the ETA 2824-2), which can also be upgraded to the Swiss Sellita SW200 for an additional price. The PT5000 has been tested and found to be accurate to a mere +2 seconds per day.

Movement characteristics:

28800 vibrations/hour (8 vibrations/second)

with stop-second and manual winding

bi-directional automatic winding

It should be noted that, as with the ETA 2824-2, excessive manual winding of the PT5000 may lead to damage, and it is recommended that the power be maintained primarily through automatic winding while worn.

Bracelet and Wearing Comfort

The 20mm-16mm tapering three-row solid link bracelet that comes with the watch is well made. The bracelet is screwed down for easy adjustment. The clasp design is a bit conservative, with a logo-free Rolex-style folding clasp that offers 4 fine adjustment positions and a quick extension of about 7mm.

In actual wear, the bracelet fits comfortably, but it squeaks slightly when the watch is new, so it is recommended to use a special bracelet lubricant to deal with it. The edges of the lugs are handled rounded and do not scratch the skin.

Multi-Strap Matching Suggestions

36mm diameter makes it a "one-size-fits-all" strap that can be replaced with almost any style of strap.

In addition to the original steel bracelet, I also tried a variety of strap combinations:

Dark blue FK M rubber strap: sporty, suitable for summer or water activities

Light brown Vario vintage leather strap: business casual style, blue and brown classic combination

Gray suede strap: understated elegance, suitable for daily commuting

Competitor Comparison

Compared to the Baltany Datejust 36mm in the same price range, the OCT16 has the following advantages:

Better luminescence

Unique bezel design language

Wider choice of movements

The Baltany DJ watch, on the other hand, is slightly better in terms of brand recognition and clasp design. Both are excellent pieces and the choice depends on personal aesthetic preferences.

Buying Advice

The Octopus Kraken OCT16 is a highly finished piece, especially for:

watch enthusiasts who like vintage styles but are looking for modern reliability

office workers who need a comfortable, lightweight watch to wear every day

watch collectors looking for a "cost-effective tool watch".

The watch is currently available in three colors, and I personally recommend the dark blue version, which has the most color variations. It's not as recognizable as the brand, but it's an acceptable compromise considering its excellent workmanship and performance.

Summary

After a week of intensive wear-testing, the Octopus Kraken OCT16 has won my favor with its exquisite workmanship, comfortable wearability and unique design language. It perfectly illustrates the watchmaking philosophy of "small but fine", and offers a quality experience far beyond expectations at the $200 price point. Whether as a daily commuter watch or a collector's item, it deserves serious consideration.

Read more:

1, Exploring the Unique Charm of the Octopus Kraken Bronze Diver

2, Vintage Airking for everyone [Octopus Kraken OCT-0016 Full review