Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Clever and Compelling Foliot Scubanaut 200 Launching on Kickstarter
A down-to-earth dive watch with both a countdown and count-up bezel.
Discovering new brands is always a lot of fun, especially when the result is quite surprising and even impressive. Such is the case with one of our latest discoveries, coming straight from the Big Apple. Launching on Kickstarter today, upstart watchmaking company Foliot Watches is determined to make some waves with its second and latest collection, the Scubanaut. Available as both a dive-only Scubanaut 200 and Scubanaut World Diver, we’ll be primarily focusing on the simpler of the two. And as it turns out, Foliot has a few fun and clever surprises up its (neoprene) sleeve!
Foliot Watches, as the brand is officially called, was founded in 2022 by Izzy Alsafa, a New York-based software engineer by trade and a passionate watch collector. Like many people, the watch infection came through his father, who acquired a Rolex to mark the opening of his first business back in the 1970s. That watch stuck with Izzy ever since and fueled his passion to the point of creating his own brand. Things started with the Stratonaut GMT last year, but now the second collection is ready to go. Aimed at adventurous people, the Scubanaut comes in two iterations: the time-only (sort of) Scubanaut 200 and the Scubanaut World Diver, which has a true GMT function.
Zooming in on the Scubanaut 200, this comes in a refreshingly designed stainless steel case of 41mm in diameter and 12.5mm in height. Add to that a lug-to-lug dimension of a rather sensible 48mm, and you end up with a watch that feels right at home on most wrists. The unidirectional rotating bezel gives the Scubanaut 200 its first twist, as it has both countdown and count-up scales (similar to the Tudor FXD blue). The count-up scale is printed on a black ceramic insert, while the countdown scale is engraved into a steel ring. The screw-down crown has a red ring around the stem to indicate when the crown is unscrewed. Simple, but effective! The sapphire crystal has an anti-reflective coating, and the solid caseback is decorated with a scuba-diving bear. As its name suggests, the watch is water resistant to 200m.
The dial comes in white or black and has a very good level of legibility thanks to the generously sized indices and hands. Everything is finished with Super-LumiNova, as you’d expect on such a watch. At every third hour, there is a single or double hour digit instead of a triangular marker to mix things up a little. The central seconds hand has a red box-shaped tip to it, making it easily distinguishable from the sword-shaped hour and minute hands. On the outer perimeter, a printed white (or black) minute track completes the look.
Foliot opted for the Miyota 9075 automatic movement for the Scubanaut 200 and the Scubanaut World Diver. It runs at a rate of 28,800vph and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. With it, Foliot incorporates a GMT functionality in both versions, as this calibre is a so-called True GMT movement. Essentially, the local hour hand can be adjusted in one-hour increments and both directions. The only difference between the two is that the Scubanaut 200 doesn’t have an additional GMT hand, nor a date function, which the World Diver does have. This makes the Scubanaut 200 a touch more versatile in comparison to regular dive watches, as you can easily adjust the local hour hand to your location as soon as you touchdown in a different time zone. The only thing is that you don’t have the added practicality (or clutter) of the home time or the date. If you do want that, go for the Scubanaut World Diver, and you’re all set.
The Foliot Scubanaut 200 comes on a three-link stainless steel bracelet with a micro-adjustable folding clasp and a quick-release pushpin system, which feel very solid and are easy to use. Foliot also supplies an elastic fabric Marinesport strap in black with a red centre strip, additional pushpins, and a clamshell travel pouch. During the Kickstarter campaign, you can order your Scubanaut 200 for a VIP Special price of USD 549, or if you’re not a VIP, an Early Bird price of USD 599. The Scubanaut World Diver will be available to order for USD 649 under VIP Special conditions and USD 699 as Early Bird.
Once the Kickstarter campaign is done, the regular retail price will be USD 799 for the Scubanaut 200 and USD 899 for the Scubanaut World Diver. This not only sounds very reasonable, even at full retail but makes the Scubanaut series something you should consider! It wears great, looks cool, feels very robust and comes with a few surprises!
For more information or to put down your order for this compelling dive watch, please visit foliot-watches.com or check out the campaign on Kickstarter directly.
Sponsored post: This article is sponsored by Foliot Watches. However, it reflects the writer’s opinion and has been written according to MONOCHROME’s editorial policy.
