This time, I'll be reviewing the Spiniker Challenger, which features a large, protruding bubble lens crystal, inspired by the dome-shaped lenses found on submarines that venture deep into the ocean. Spiniker has previously released the Picard, which was designed with a similar concept and had a 45mm case diameter, but because that was quite large, this new model, the "Junior Picard," has been downsized to a 42mm case diameter. In this review, I'll be discussing the appeal of the rounded, protruding crystal and the textured dial, newly added to the Challenger, as well as the overall finish.
Automatic (Cal. NH35). 24 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 41 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 42mm, thickness 18.5mm). Water resistant to 30 bar. Price: 74,800 yen (tax included).
Spinnikor releases watches for marine sports enthusiasts
Spinica is an Italian watch brand that arrived in Japan in 2019. The brand's core focus is on designs for people who participate in marine sports such as yachting and free diving. Previously, the brand attracted attention as a manufacturer of diver's watches with a vintage feel, but in recent years it has expanded its range of designs to include modern and pop models.
The main lineup includes models with a vintage feel but with a twist, such as the "Dumas" which incorporates a 1970s style, the "Blander" which is an homage to compressor cases, and the "Picard" which is a 55-atmosphere water-resistant model with a bubble lens crystal, as well as the modern "Has" and the "Tesei" which is positioned as Spinnikor's high-end series.
The author's experience and the appeal of spinicas
I have had the opportunity to review the Tesei, which uses forged carbon for the bezel insert and dial, and the Picquard, which features a surprisingly large bubble lens crystal. Both models possessed a distinctive character that served as a key design element, and they left a favorable impression with a good balance of tone and beautiful details. From this, I believe Spinnikar's defining feature is its excellent sense of balance in formulating a concept and expressing it well while landing on a good finish. I also highly praise the clever design of the case shape and bracelet, the comfortable fit, and the solid construction.
The debut of the "Challenger," positioned as a "Junior Picard"
The Piccard model was created in honor of Jacques Piccard, who explored the Mariana Trench by diving to the deepest depths of 10,916 meters. Inspired by the thick dome-shaped lenses of deep-sea submersibles that can withstand tremendous water pressure, the watch features a large, protruding bubble lens crystal.
The appeal of the Piccard lies in its crystal and striking size, but with a case diameter of 45mm and a finished thickness of 21.5mm including the crystal (measured by the author), it is a large model. Personally, I like the Piccard because I find the impact that comes from its size interesting, but from a writer's perspective, it's hard to say that it's a model that I would "widely recommend."
The latest addition to this collection is the "Challenger," which we will be reviewing today. The model name is a reference to the "Challenger Deep," the nickname for the deepest point in the Mariana Trench explored by Jacques Piccard. This model has a case diameter of 42mm and a finished thickness of 18.5mm, and Spinnikar officially positions this model as the "Junior Piccard."
Although it is smaller than the Picart, this product is still large, especially thick, so let's review whether it is practical and whether it still has the fun of the Picart.
A challenger with a unique charm rooted in vintage taste
The Challenger's case shape, rotating bezel, and bracelet are rooted in a vintage style, and it could be categorized as a conservative diver's watch. The yellow luminous paint and lack of a crown guard also give it a vintage feel. Its most distinctive feature is the large, protruding bubble lens crystal, which, combined with the curved case shape and rounded indexes, creates a soft, cute atmosphere.
The dial has a circular hairline finish centered on the axis of rotation of the hands, and textured surfaces similar to the "hammered" finish found on silver accessories, which represent the ripples caused by ocean currents that can be seen on sandy seabeds. The unique feature of this piece is that paint is applied on top of this, creating a contrast between the textured hairline and hammered finish. You would think that hammering a hairline-finished dial to create texture would crush the hairline, but what was interesting about this piece is that it remains clearly visible. It seems that both the hammered and hairline finishes were formed in a single stamping process.
When you look into the dial of this watch outdoors, the surrounding scenery is reflected on the crystal, and the light source sparkles. At the same time, the hammered surface of the dial also creates a variety of shadings of light. These effects are fantastical, evoking the reflections on the surface of water and underwater scenes, and are the unique charm of this watch.
A comfortable fit that gives the impression of Spinica's "watchmaking expertise"
When worn, it fits well on my wrist, which is about 18cm in circumference. This is due to the fact that the case back does not protrude and the lugs are curved to fit the wrist. The case sides are tapered toward the case back to create a slope, which reduces weight while maintaining a range of wrist movement, and the combination with a thinner bracelet than the Piccard also contributes to this reduction in weight. However, it is essential to adjust the bracelet for a tight fit. Aside from the fact that the crystal protrudes significantly, the wearing experience is no different from that of a diver's watch with a slimmer case silhouette. Judging from the size and lug shape, it seems like it would also fit those with slightly thinner wrists.
Whether or not you consider the rather peculiar visibility a drawback is up to personal judgment.
As I mentioned earlier, when strong summer light shines on the dial, the bubble lens crystal and the unevenness of the dial create a spectacular reflection, creating a fantastical effect, but it also makes it difficult to see the relative positions of the hands and indices. Furthermore, if you look at the dial from even the slightest angle, the curve of the crystal causes a major distortion, making the indices in the foreground invisible and making it difficult to read where the hands are pointing, resulting in poor visibility.
Although I have criticized it harshly, Spinniker must have been aware of this when designing it, and the company offers a wide range of models, including Tesei, for users seeking a stoic tool watch. The key points to consider when considering this watch are whether or not you are attracted to the impact of the large, round crystal and the expression created by the reflection of light.
A chic, well-balanced tone and a well-crafted finish
The gray dial model I saw has a subdued overall color saturation, with yellow indices accented with light blue. Looking at tool watches, there are many monochromatic black and white or vivid color schemes, but the chic tone balance of this model is impressive, as it seems like it would suit a wide range of seasons, not just the summer when diver's watches shine. In addition to this model, blue and green dial models are currently available.
Other design aspects include the three-dimensional effect created by the unevenness of the dial and the indexes, the contrast between the satin finish on the entire watch and the polished edges, and the small gaps between the lugs and end links, all of which give the watch a sense of quality that enhances its texture.
The watch also incorporates many considerations for ease of use, including the excellent balance of the lug shape, which creates a comfortable wearing experience, and the quick-change mechanism on the back of the bracelet, which makes it easy to change to the included rubber strap. The only thing I'd like to improve is the feel of the bezel. While it's sturdy, it's difficult to rotate and to operate. My opinion may change after I've used it for a while and gotten used to it.
From the above, it can be said that the sense of balance in the design and solid construction that I consider to be the appeal of the Spinnikar are still alive and well in the Challenger, making it a rod that allows you to enjoy the Spinnikar style.
The Spinniker Challenger turns surprise into fun
Users who pick up this model for the first time will likely be surprised by the large protrusion of the bubble lens crystal (although not as much as the Piccard). This surprise is what makes the Challenger and Piccard so appealing; the distortion created by the crystal, the reflection of the surrounding scenery, and the reflection of light evoke a sense of wonder when you first hold this model in your hands. Furthermore, the Challenger's dial has a textured surface that randomly reflects light, creating a sparkling, fantastical landscape, further amplifying the surprise.
The appeal of the Challenger is this "surprise," and whether or not you find it appealing is a key factor in whether or not you enjoy it. The Spinniker has achieved a good balance by improving the comfort and ease of use so that users don't have to endure anything in order to enjoy this surprise, and I would like to give this product a high rating.
Finally, I'd like to share my very personal impressions. In strong sunlight outdoors, the crystal produced a tremendous amount of reflection, making the dial sparkle and impairing legibility, but I enjoyed watching the sparkle change as I moved my wrist slightly. Stoic tool watches are designed to eliminate chance factors such as changes in appearance, but the Challenger goes the opposite way, creating a unique sense of enjoyment. If this impression has you thinking, "This looks like a fun watch," then I recommend you try it out.
