Tempore Lux is a watchmaker recently established from the sunny and beautiful island in Mallorca, Spain.
The brand aims to combine the magnificence of vintage models with the wonders of modern styles and movements which offer something exciting and different for watch enthusiasts to enjoy.
Its priced at a mid-tier level which makes it an affordable dive watch considering what you get for the money.
A water-proof at a depth of 300 meters with a 120 click rotating bezel, date and chronograph.
A very impressive little beast and, a stunning piece at that.
They come both panda and reverse panda designs, so I was initially met with the tough choice because they looked amazing.
I opted for the reverse panda for that traditional dive watch look.
If you are hard-pressed about Kickstarter watches then listen up!
Many may agree that there is much that’s left to be desired when it comes to crowdfunded watches — we’ve seen poor execution, bad quality parts, counterfeit movements and non-delivered perks time and time again.
That said I was pleasantly surprised how David Ramirez, the founder of Tempore Lux was not settling for 2nd rate quality.
His pre-production update emails enlightened me and his followers about his progress.
Keeping me and his followers updated us on whether it was good news or bad news, it made it all the more satisfying to see the Vintage one evolve into an amazing looking watch that we could get today.
The VINTAGE ONE CHRONOGRAPH 01 started as a Kickstarter campaign last 2019 and became a stunning success worldwide and you can now purchase your own here through Tempore Lux’s official website, along with their other V ONE CHRONOGRAPH variants and special edition collections.
The Tempore Lux VINTAGE ONE CHRONOGRAPH 01 BLACK
The watch case measures 44mm wide and 13mm thick.
It has a solid, screw-in case back which helps provide an optimal water-resistance rating of the watch.
The V ONE has a squarish case made of 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, which is the similar metals used in many high-end luxury timepieces like Rolex.
It reminds me if the Panerai 111 and Tag Hauer Monaco had a baby.
You get the beauty of that similar rectangular case that the Monaco and pam share along with a traditional style rotating bezel and chronograph which makes it a one of a kind watch.
The watch strap has a Milanese mesh design made of 316L stainless steel which was used by many diving watches back in the old days.
How you could adjust it you may ask?
you would need to cut off the links to resize it to your wrist which was a new experience for me.
The double-lock deployment clasp ensures the watch stays in place even when you actively move around.
The watch comes in a posh black box and a certificate of origin.
All watches sold by Tempore Lux are covered with a 3-year international warranty.
The VINTAGE ONE CHRONOGRAPH 01 BLACK costs around $385 to $400, depending on the strap style you choose.
Design and Movement
The VINTAGE ONE CHRONOGRAPH 01 BLACK is called as such because of its deep-black panda dial, complete with white markings on the dial and matching subdials for perfection in is designed in composition.
On the outer portion of the main dial, you’ll find small index second markers in 1/5-second gradations.
Large Arabic numerals represent the hour markers.
All hands and markers are coated with Superluminova BGW9.
At the 6 o’clock position, you’ll find a small date window in white background and black text for easier visibility.
Its 120 clicks unidirectional ceramic bezel is perfect to the touch with absolutely no back play.
It has luminescent index minute markers and a triangular pip at the 12 o’clock position.
The two panda chronograph subdials feature 60-minute and 24-hour counters.
The main second hand also functions as a central chronograph that can measure 1/5-second timings.
The diamond-cut minute and hour hands are plain rectangular and are filled with premium
Swiss Superluminova substance that shines brightly even underwater.
The watch presents a red second hand in a sharp, triangular shape to indicate more precise timing.
And it wouldn’t be completed without the whole dial being protected with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating for better visibility.
The VINTAGE ONE CHRONOGRAPH 01 BLACK runs on a premium Seiko VK64 meca-quartz chronograph movement optimum timekeeping capabilities.
It’s a hybrid between quartz and mechanical mechanisms: the quartz portion controls the hour and minute functions, while the chronograph function is handled by the mechanical module.
This way, the watch takes advantage of the precision of quartz watches and the superior functionality of mechanical watches.
The screw-down crown design and knurl feel like what a diving watch should feel like when setting the time.
The chronograph pump style buttons feel phenomenal.
They are easy to engage and feel firm without wobbles or wiggles in the pushers.
Who Is This Watch For?
The Tempore Lux V1 is a timepiece built for any kind of sports activity.
You can use it to time your runs, measure racing times, or gauge your swimming laps.
You can even use it as a diver watch, thanks to its high water-resistance rating of 300 meters.
If you’re looking for an affordable sports watch then look no further because the V1 Chronograph from Tempore Lux has all the features you need.
It has functional chronograph features, precise timekeeping mechanisms, and decent lume brightness, all for a price under $500, so it won’t break the bank.
Pros and Cons
Here are the strengths and weaknesses of the Tempore Lux.
Pros
- Available in 4 color variants and 2 different movement types and without a chronograph
- Legible design
- Excellent lume brightness
- The amazing feel of the rotating bezel
- Unbeatable finish for the price range
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons
- Its not for people who don’t like heavy or bulky watches
- Lume could be brighter
Tempore Lux Other Models
Other models of the V ONE CHRONOGRAPH have almost similar features and are presented in different color combinations.
The V ONE CHRONOGRAPH 02 has a blue bezel and dial on a stainless steel body, making the watch visibly stand out.
There’s also the V ONE CHRONOGRAPH 04 that comes in a brown leather strap and a Swiss Sellita movement.
The V ONE CHRONOGRAPH 03, on the other hand, has a PVD body that’s complemented with all-black dial and subdials.
All V ONE CHRONOGRAPH models are available in two movement variants: you can choose to get either a Seiko VK64 or a Sellita SW510 automatic movement.
The SW510 variants can be up to 3 times more expensive than the meca-quartz movement.
Final Statement
The V one Chronographis a classic-looking timepiece that pays tribute to the iconic watches and models that have made history, its square-shaped case, its unique design that plays with the traditional diver design is clever and eye-catching.
From the quality design of crown pushers, strap, the hour marker printing, and dial color, everything about this watch spells out excellence in watch design.
If you’re looking for a versatile sports watch that’s in the sub-$500 range then consider the V1 Chronograph by Tempore Lux or any of the other variants offered by Tempore Lux.
How to get your own Tempore Lux watch – Click here to learn more about their V1 collection
