Oceanus has released many models that have satisfied even the most demanding watch enthusiasts. The new "OCW-S400A-5AJF" is no exception, and its level of perfection is so outstanding that there is no need to mention the outstanding features of this new model. When actually wearing the OCW-S400A-5AJF, what became apparent was the evolution of the fit, the depth of the exterior design, and one small issue. Now that Oceanus has reached a mature stage, what is the "next hurdle" it now faces? In this article, we will delve into both its appeal and the issues it faces.
Tough Solar. Ti case (41.3mm diameter, 9.2mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 170,500 yen (tax included).
Photographs & Text by Yuto Hosoda (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published on January 11, 2025]
Finally, the blind spots of Oceanus have disappeared.
To be honest, there's nothing much to say about the Oceanus series at this point. The "OCW-T4000C-3AJF" and "OCW-T200S-3AJF" that I've worn in the past were impeccable watches, and it was obvious that the new "OCW-S400A-5AJF" was superior.
http://www.webchronos.net/features/79931/
In other words, the polycarbonate dial has a texture that rivals that of a metal one, and the precision of the exterior finish is even more impressive than its price tag. The only thing that could be improved is the ease of use of the crown. The Oceanus boasts a high level of perfection, apart from ease of use, and a consistent level of quality that can be summed up with this formula.
However, since I can't just speculate without actually wearing it, I tried it on again this time. I then confirmed that the above-mentioned merits of this model are undoubtedly true. However, since it would be boring to mass-produce similar articles, in this article I will focus on the other points that caught my attention apart from these merits.
The lightness of the fit reaches a new level
The biggest highlight of this time is, without a doubt, the wearing comfort. The OCW-T200S-3AJF, which we previously reviewed, was a model that exuded a clever design that made it feel lighter than its specs suggested, by skillfully distributing the weight of the watch to the bracelet (although its total weight of 133g was already quite light considering it was made of stainless steel).
The OCW-S400A-5AJF, on the other hand, is incredibly light, weighing just 79g with its titanium exterior. The case is also incredibly thin at just 9.2mm, so it's bound to feel great on your wrist.
I actually wore it around April, when the outside temperature gradually rose. I was able to wear it comfortably even during this sweaty season because I intentionally left the links a little looser when adjusting it, allowing for better ventilation. I originally prefer links that fit snugly to my wrist, but the reason I was able to experiment with wearing it looser and didn't feel uncomfortable when I actually wore it was none other than the watch's lightness and thinness.
Although it is a thin case, it has a three-dimensional appearance that never looks flat.
We've praised the excellent fit thanks to the lightness and thinness of the case, but there's another feature of the OCW-S400A-5AJF's exterior that shouldn't be overlooked: the three-dimensional feel of the case. Naturally, when you try to make a case thin, you have to trim away unnecessary thickness, which tends to result in a flat design.
However, while this model primarily uses a satin finish, the lugs, the ridges on the case sides, and the bezel are polished to create a strong contrast between highlights and shadows when exposed to light.
Furthermore, by dividing the curved surfaces into fine straight lines, the overall design has an angular feel. If a thick sports watch has such pronounced corners, it can end up looking rugged, but because the exterior of the OCW-S400A-5AJF is thin, the impact is not too strong, and the case's unique character is brought out just right.
As a result, the OCW-S400A-5AJF is a slim watch with a timeless, deep exterior.
The bezel, which has a sapphire crystal insert, also contributes to the three-dimensional effect. The pale rouge color applied to the base by vapor deposition appears the same color as the dial when viewed from the front, but when viewed from the side, for example, the color appears more grayish.
Combined with the combination of finishes mentioned above, the way the appearance constantly changes from different angles was extremely satisfying.
There are also areas for improvement, as we are now competing with luxury watches.
As you can see, there were many new discoveries when wearing the OCW-S400A-5AJF. Of course, in addition to these features, as mentioned at the beginning, the texture of the dial is surprisingly high, so it would be fair to conclude this article by saying that the new Oceanus has no blind spots.
However, because the Oceanus has matured so far as a wristwatch, I felt the need to make one complaint. Fingerprints are easily left behind and are easily noticeable. As you can see from the photos shown, there are noticeable dark stains on the lugs and bracelet. These are all fingerprints and other oily residue left behind while wearing the watch.
Of course, no matter how clean the watch is, this kind of dirt will be noticeable when photographed. It's a bit disappointing that even after thoroughly wiping it with a cloth, the dirt remains to this extent. Even though the watch I was wearing was a PR sample, considering how dirty it was when I got it, it's clear that the watch's exterior is prone to staining or showing stains easily.
I fully understand that this is a challenge, as titanium is a material that is naturally prone to fingerprints, and the satin finish also makes it easy for oils to accumulate in the grooves, but even the application of an IP, DLC, or similar deposition or coating that forms a film would visibly improve this issue (incidentally, the case surface is already treated with titanium carbide to increase hardness).
Now that the selling price has exceeded 17 yen, the Oceanus must compete with luxury watches, so I would like to see more attention paid to this aspect.
