Edox celebrated its 140th anniversary last year. We'll be reviewing the Chrono Offshore 1, Ref. 10242-TIN-NIBUGM, which the brand released this year. Based on a quartz chronograph model boasting exceptional water resistance of 1000m, this Japan-exclusive model features a black carbon dial with blue accents.
Photographs & Text by Kento Nii
[Article published on January 20, 2025]
A hands-on review of the Japan-limited model of the "Chrono Offshore 1" released in 2025
Edox, which will celebrate its 140th anniversary in 2024, is a Swiss brand that has produced many high-spec models, mainly diver's watches. Its slogan is "THE WATER CHAMPION." Edox's "Delphine," released in 1961, achieved 200m water resistance by using a "double O-ring" crown instead of the screw-down crown that was the mainstream at the time, and has since solidified its position as a pioneer in waterproof watches.
The Chrono Offshore 1 collection embodies the brand's slogan and history. Inspired by the world of powerboat racing, also known as the "F1 of the water," this collection not only features the chronograph, a symbol of racing, but also boasts the high level of legibility and durability essential to a diver's watch. Its trademark is the Arabic numeral index at the 1 o'clock position, highlighting the number of victory. This collection can withstand the rigors of offshore racing, where boats blaze through unpredictable, rough seas with overwhelming power.
Quartz (Cal. 102 / Ronda 5030 D). Ti case (diameter 45mm, thickness 15.5mm). 1000m water resistant. 297,000 yen (tax included).
In this article, we will be reviewing the Japan-exclusive model "Ref. 10242-TIN-NIBUGM," which was released in 2025, from the diverse lineup of Chrono Offshore 1. Edox's previous Japan-exclusive models have been characterized by unique timepieces, including models with black mother-of-pearl dials. In contrast, this model features a bold black base with subtle accents of blue, giving it a more subdued appearance than previous watches of the same concept.
Deep carbon black dial
Let's start with the dial. The coloring is based on black, including the bezel, and the white display creates a nice contrast.
However, the dial of this watch is not just black, but "carbon black." It is a brass base coated with a carbon layer, and a unique grid pattern created by overlapping fibers appears on the surface. This geometric pattern gives a rich expression and rhythm to this watch, which has a strong stoic character due to its monochrome tone, and is quite a stylish design.
Moreover, this carbon pattern also contributes to visibility. Unlike a sunray finish, which dynamically reflects light across the entire dial, each individual grid captures the light, creating a sense of depth in the texture. This makes the indexes and hands appear more three-dimensional, and they are not lost in strong light, providing high legibility.
The various subdials are not only positioned one level lower, but also feature circular decoration, creating a striking contrast in texture with the carbon dial. The chronograph measurement subdials at 6 and 9 o'clock are edged, allowing for instantaneous reading of information. Furthermore, the layout is more like a Y than a horizontal triple, allowing for a larger area for the subdials, which also contributes to improved visibility.
The blue accents are just the right amount. They're only used on the rims of the indices and hands, and while they may seem like a small proportion of the overall watch, as mentioned above, the blue creates a sense of depth that makes the indices appear to float, giving the watch a strong presence. The metallic finish is also effective, as the cool hue peeks out amid the subtle changes in the carbon fiber appearance with each movement of the wrist.
I'd also like to mention the visibility in the dark. The indexes and the dot at the zero-minute position on the bezel are coated with luminous paint, which glows green in the dark. Of course, the iconic Arabic numeral "1" is also coated with luminous paint, so you can recognize the Chrono Offshore 1 at a glance, even in the dark.
Robust titanium case with 1000m water resistance
After checking out the dials, we immediately got hands-on. When choosing a diver's watch, which tends to be a large model, many people place importance on the sense of balance on the wrist. For me, with a relatively slim wrist (16.5cm), this was a particularly important factor to consider before purchasing. While this sense can be somewhat gauged by the diameter and lug-to-lug specifications, the impression changes depending on the bezel thickness, coloring, and dial design, so it's best to actually try it on.
The case diameter of this watch is 45mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of approximately 50mm. The case is 15.5mm thick, giving it a dynamic presence on the wrist. Naturally, it is the perfect size for telling the time. The case is made of titanium, and the overall design gives a rather rugged impression. The shape seen from the side is straight, with the short lugs being chamfered at approximately 45° before the corners at the bottom are rounded.
The bezel is particularly noteworthy. While most watches use only the insert made of ceramic, this model uses ceramic for the entire bezel. Its surface is polished to a mirror finish, and the contrast in texture created by combining it with the titanium case creates a tough yet modern two-tone exterior.
To enhance the fit, the center of the case back where it touches the wrist is lowered and a propeller relief is added. This design not only pays homage to motorboats, but also reduces the physical contact area with the wrist, preventing sweat from accumulating and ensuring a comfortable fit.
When actually wearing it, I didn't feel the effect of this "reduced contact area" strongly on my skin, but the lightness of the ceramic and titanium materials seemed to ensure a good wearing experience. Despite boasting a water resistance of 1000m, this model weighs just 133g, and I didn't feel too much of a shaking sensation on the wrist caused by the weight of the head, which is common with thicker watches.
Tool watch operability
We also checked its operability as a chronograph diver's watch. The advantage of a thick watch is that the controls can be made larger, and this model also features the largest possible crown to match the case thickness, as well as screw-lock chronograph pushers.
The pusher in particular has an increased pressing surface area due to the protruding screw, providing an ideal feel for a tool watch. There is a considerable amount of play before the pusher is activated, but the internal force is weak, so the pusher waits in a half-pressed state, allowing for a reliable start at any desired timing. This is a useful feature for offshore racing, where precise steering is required.
The unidirectional rotating bezel can be clicked every second and has a fine scale up to 15 seconds, making it suitable for counting down races. However, the wide spacing of the anti-slip notches and the smooth finish mean that the grip is modest. That said, the unique luster of this ceramic makes this watch a great choice for everyday use. For someone like me who wears it daily rather than in the harsh world of the ocean, this refined finish may be preferable.
The strap is a professional long size
In this review, I would like to particularly mention the strap specifications. This model features a black rubber strap, perfect for intense sports scenes, combined with a folding clasp that opens like a gate, making it easy to fasten and remove. Furthermore, although it is not normally visible, the inside of the buckle is decorated with perlage, a touch of fine detail.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the strap is quite long by default, likely because it is intended to be worn over a diver's suit. The strap can be cut and adjusted at the protrusions, making it user-friendly in that it can accommodate a wide range of wrist widths, but if you are looking for a perfect fit for someone like me with a 16.5cm wrist, you will need to cut and adjust it after purchase.
By the way, you can also take advantage of this length and wear it over your clothes. I actually tried wearing it over clothes with tight sleeves, and it felt great. The increased volume around the wrist makes the balance with the 45mm diameter case much better.
The movement is equipped with a quartz type
Finally, let's talk about the movement. The movement used is the Cal. 102, which is based on the Ronda Cal. 5030 D. The subdial has a small second at 2:30, a 12-hour counter at 6, and a 30-minute counter at 9:30, along with a date display at 4. The date can be adjusted by pulling the crown out one notch, and the time can be adjusted by pulling it out two notches.
Summary
The Chrono Offshore 1 Chronograph reviewed here has a somewhat more subdued appearance compared to the Japan-exclusive models that have been released so far, but there is no doubt that it is a model that has firmly inherited the elegant and tough spirit of the Chrono Offshore 1.
In particular, while it has romantic features such as 1000m water resistance, the glossy texture of the carbon dial and ceramic bezel is particularly impressive, and the color scheme, limited to blue accents, gives it a highly versatile finish that can be worn both on and off the job.
Although the 45mm size is certainly large, I like the fact that it offers a wide range of wearability to appeal to a wide range of users. With the lightweight feel of the titanium material and the proper strap adjustment, even users with relatively thin wrists like myself will be able to fully enjoy its appeal.
This is a timepiece that belongs to a genre that I haven't had much experience with until now, but this watch made me feel like maybe I should take this opportunity to try out a dynamic watch that I've avoided until now.
