Octopus Kraken OCT-011 Review

As a long-time enthusiast of affordable mechanical watches, I recently acquired the Octopus Kraken OCT-011. I had previously owned the bronze version, and when I heard they released a stainless steel model, I immediately placed an order. After wearing it for a few weeks and considering feedback from other watch enthusiasts on various forums, I’ve put together this honest review based on my experience.

Price and Buying Experience

Octopus manages to keep its prices affordable without compromising much on overall quality.

The OCT-011 is available in five color options. I chose the turquoise gradient dial, which changes depending on the lighting. Other color options—black, green, red, and brown—also look great in photos and videos. Many forum users have mentioned that the turquoise is the "most interesting," while black and brown are more versatile for everyday wear.

Size and Wearability

The specs are as follows:

Diameter: 40mm

Thickness: 12.6mm

Lug-to-lug: 47.7mm

Lug width: 20mm

Weight: Approximately 78g (with the original leather strap)

My wrist size is 7.5 inches, and it feels very comfortable to wear. The slim mid-case and downward-angled lugs provide a great fit. While I typically prefer 39mm watches, this one doesn’t feel large at all. Users with wrist sizes between 6.5–7 inches have also reported that it wears more comfortably than the specs suggest.

Case and Finishing

The case is made of 316L stainless steel, featuring a combination of brushed and polished finishes. The brushing on the lugs is quite refined, with a subtle polished bevel on the edges. The side of the case has horizontal brushing and a "waisted" design, which prevents it from looking bulky.

One of my favorite details is the serrated bezel, which fits snugly between the lugs, giving the watch a strong, unified feel. The crown is large and polished, offering a pleasant tactile experience. Some forum users have mentioned that the crown feels typical of the NH35 movement—not overly smooth, but reliable enough. I haven’t encountered any issues with mine.

The case back is a solid screw-down design, with the serrated pattern continuing around the edge. From the side, this small detail enhances the overall aesthetic.

Crystal

Octopus hasn’t cut corners here: the watch is equipped with a double-domed sapphire crystal with a blue anti-reflective coating. The distortion at the edges is noticeable, but the center is clear and bright, adding a retro touch without affecting readability. The blue AR coating works well with all the color options, and even with the green dial version, most forum users feel that it complements the design nicely.

Dial and Hands

The dial features a gradient design, with the color deepening towards the edges, creating a strong sense of depth. At different angles, my version shifts between turquoise and deep blue, sometimes even approaching black.

The cathedral-style hands are well-proportioned, with polished surfaces filled with lume. The Arabic numeral hour markers use BGW9 lume, and there are small wedge-shaped minute markers on the outer ring. The overall layout is balanced. There’s some debate on watch forums about the Octopus Kraken brand logo—some people think it's too prominent, but personally, I feel it fills the space perfectly and doesn’t look cheap.

Regarding lume performance: the hands are bright and last well, while the hour markers fade quickly. The general consensus among most enthusiasts is that the lume is usable, but don’t expect it to last long in the dark.

Movement and Crown

The bronze version uses the PT5000 movement, but this one comes with the Seiko NH35. Some people see this as a "downgrade," but I disagree. Although the thickness has slightly increased, the NH35 is stable, reliable, easy to maintain, and helps control costs.

My watch runs about +3 seconds per day, with great amplitude and beat error. For an NH35, its performance is exceptional. The crown screws in smoothly and has three positions: manual winding, a "ghost date" position (even though there’s no date function, the gear is still there), and time setting. Everything operates as expected.

Strap

The original strap is a 20mm genuine leather strap that tapers down to 18mm, with a signature buckle and quick-release design. The stitching is simple and clean. Overall, it’s decent—not the "throwaway" kind of strap, but not luxurious either.

However, the real fun with this watch comes from changing the strap. Common combinations seen on forums include:

Suede straps (in brown and light brown), which complement the gradient dial nicely.

NATO or single-pass nylon straps, giving it a more rugged look.

Rubber straps (in orange and green), which add a vibrant touch for the summer.

Personally, I prefer pairing it with a light-colored suede strap, as it makes the dial’s colors pop.

Many people appreciate that Octopus chose a relatively uncommon homage design, rather than another ubiquitous Submariner copy.

The general consensus is that the case finishing and sapphire crystal are far superior to what you’d expect at this price point.

Some criticize the brand logo, but others see it as a way to build brand recognition. Weak lume is the most common complaint, but most people admit they didn’t buy it for its night-time performance.

The overall consensus: at under $200, it’s hard to find a more stylish and well-built option.

Conclusion

The Octopus Kraken OCT-011 fully meets my expectations: a well-built, attractive, reasonably priced homage watch that isn’t a lazy copy. The stainless steel version is more versatile than the bronze model, with a variety of color options and excellent wearability.

Of course, it’s not perfect: the lume is average, the crown feels standard, and the original strap is just adequate. But for under $200, it looks more premium than its actual price, offers great comfort, and has a touch of "niche design" personality.

If you’re looking for a reliable, vintage-inspired mechanical watch for daily wear that stands out a bit, the OCT-011 is a solid choice.