Octopus Kraken OCT013 Review: A Compact Explorer Homage Worth Considering

I have always wanted a small, versatile daily watch. Ideally something around 36 millimeters, suitable for all occasions, and priced reasonably enough that I would not worry about wearing it every day. The Rolex Explorer has long been considered the gold standard of an “everyday companion watch.” Since my budget does not stretch to a Rolex, I decided to start with an homage piece. After comparing different options, my final shortlist came down to two: the Kronos Explorer homage and the Octopus Kraken OCT013. I ultimately chose the Kraken, mainly because of its slimmer case design and the fact that it was available at the time. After wearing it for several months, here are my unfiltered impressions—combined with insights I gathered from other owners across various watch forums.

Packaging and First Impressions

The Kraken’s packaging is far from luxurious, but at this price point, it is quite solid. Mine came in a soft plastic travel case featuring the Octopus logo. Inside were a cleaning cloth, warranty card, manual, and even a hidden screwdriver tucked beneath the foam padding—very handy for adjusting the bracelet length. This is by no means premium packaging, but honestly, I would rather the brand spend its budget on the watch itself—and in this respect, Octopus delivered.

Size and Wearing Experience

The specifications were what initially drew me in: Diameter: 36mm Thickness: 10.5mm Lug to lug: 43mm (46.3mm if you count the male end links) Lug width: 20mm Weight: 116g (sized to my 6.25-inch / ~16cm wrist) On the wrist, the Kraken feels compact and slim, offering excellent comfort for daily wear. The flat caseback hugs the wrist nicely, giving a very secure, stable fit without wobbling. For those with slimmer wrists like mine, this watch feels almost tailor-made. Even forum members with larger wrists (7 to 7.5 inches / ~18–19cm) reported good comfort, though if you are used to wearing 40mm dive watches, this may feel a little small.

Movement

Inside beats the PT5000 movement, essentially a clone of the ETA 2824. It runs at 28,800 vph (4Hz), giving the smooth sweeping seconds that many enthusiasts appreciate. A few points worth noting: The movement has a date function, but since this model uses a no-date dial, there is a “ghost position” on the crown. It does not bother me, but it is worth mentioning. Accuracy has been excellent. My unit gains about 2 seconds per day, which far exceeds my expectations for this price bracket. Power reserve is around 38 hours. Some collectors worry about the PT5000’s long-term reliability compared to ETA or Sellita, but most forum users agree that at this price, servicing or even replacing the movement later on is affordable and not a major concern.

Case and Crown

The case finishing is simple but effective: brushed on top, polished on the sides, with a smooth beveled bezel. There are no rough edges, no sharp spots, and nothing that feels cheap. The screw-down crown is my biggest complaint. At around 5.8mm, it feels a bit undersized. While unscrewing and setting the time works fine, screwing it back in has a slightly “gritty” feel. Other owners have reported the same issue, suggesting the crown tube threads could be smoother. It is not a dealbreaker, but it is one of those small details that prevents the watch from feeling truly refined. Water resistance is rated at 100 meters, which is more than enough for daily use.

Bracelet and Clasp

This is a standard three-link Oyster-style bracelet: Solid links and solid end links Brushed surfaces on top, polished sides Tapers from 20mm at the lugs down to 16mm at the clasp The bracelet feels solid on the wrist and wears comfortably. The standout feature is the clasp, which includes a built-in on-the-fly micro-adjust system—a rarity at this price point. There are five adjustment positions, allowing you to fine-tune the fit throughout the day. That said, the clasp scratches very easily. Mine showed marks after just one week of wear. Additionally, the bracelet screws can be overly tight at first (some forum users even mentioned nearly stripping them). Once “broken in,” however, this is a reliable and comfortable bracelet.

Dial and Hands

The dial is where this watch really shines. Glossy black enamel-style dial with applied indices (polished and filled with BGW9 lume) Classic Explorer layout: triangle at 12, Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9, baton indices elsewhere Octopus logo at 12 balances the design nicely, even if the brand name feels a little unconventional The hands are classic Mercedes-style, paired with a lollipop seconds hand. They are nicely polished and have a good sense of depth—not the flat stamped hands you sometimes see on cheaper homage pieces. Lume is bright and evenly applied. It is not at Seiko levels, but it is more than sufficient for nighttime readability. One nitpick: the hands are slightly short. The minute hand does not quite reach the minute track, and the second hand falls just short of the outer markers. It is subtle, but once you notice, it is hard to ignore. Other forum members have pointed this out as well.

Lume

The BGW9 lume glows a pleasing blue. Initial brightness is strong, and nighttime longevity is decent. It is not a “torch-level” lume, but it is evenly applied across both the indices and the hands, leaving little to complain about.

Forum Insights

From my browsing of watch forums, here are the most common opinions: Strengths: slim case, true 36mm proportions, well-finished dial, and the on-the-fly clasp adjustment. Many collectors feel it captures the vintage Explorer vibe better than alternatives like Kronos or San Martin. Weaknesses: crown action feels rough, bracelet screws are overly tight, and hand proportions are slightly off. Debated points: AR coating. Some say the light blue AR makes the dial look hazy, while others like the effect, calling it more “vintage” compared to the deep-black dial of the Kronos. Overall consensus: the Kraken OCT013 is one of the best Explorer homages under 230 USD, especially if you value slimness and wearing comfort.

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