New kid on the block, Bencler, will be launching its stylish Rocks Diver on Kickstarter this week. Inspired by Sicily’s Faraglioni of Aci Trezza, the timepiece looks to be a slim and handsome addition to the world of entry-level divers.

The Rocks Diver dial is sandblasted to provide a texture reminiscent of stone–conjuring images of the sea stacks that inspired the brand owners in the first place. Even the hands and indices have been brushed, rather than polished, for a consistently “rough” appearance. The gradient colouring–from light at the dial centre, to dark at the outer edges–in all references is meant to recall the gradual loss of light as a diver submerges into the shadowy depths of the sea. The markers are applied circular plots with custom shaping at the cardinal points. The hands are a classy dauphine-style with a lollipop seconds, and each element has been treated with BGW9 Super-LumiNova. At the six position we have a tastefully integrated date window with a colour-matched wheel.

The dive bezel has a coin-edge finish with a ceramic insert, making it highly resistant to scratches. It is a 120-click, unidirectional bezel with a countdown scale that changes from ten minute increments to five after the 20 marker. This delineation is further enhanced by a colour change in the ring-line along the centre of the insert. Individual minute increments can easily be read using the chapter ring on the dial rehaut, if necessary. At the 12 position, there is also a custom pip, referencing the sea rocks. Like the dial, the Rocks Diver bezel has been treated with BGW9, with a colour difference in the final minutes (0 to 20) of the countdown.

The case is fashioned from 316L stainless steel and is largely brushed along the mid-case and the top of the watch; however, there is a polished chamfer running along the outside of the lugs. The crown is screwed-down and the diver offers an impressive 300m of water resistance.

In terms of dimensions, the watch sits in a sweet spot, measuring 39mm across and only 46mm lug to lug. It is also a svelte 11.5mm thick, which is thin for a diver. It is sure to be a strap monster, as well, with its 20mm lug width.

Particular attention has been paid to the design of the screw-down case back. It sports a tribute engraving to the small Italian seaside village of Aci Trezza, with a stylized rendering of the Faraglioni sea stacks, hovering above the waves. The origins of the Faraglioni can be traced back half a million years, when underwater volcanoes spit up these impressive mounds. According to mythology, the sea stacks are the result of boulders tossed by Polyphemus in his battle with Odysseus, as recounted in Homer’s Odyssey.

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It looks like the Rocks Diver has a handsome bracelet to go with it, as well. The beads-of-rice suits the vintage-styled design, and like the case, appears to be predominantly brushed. The bracelet has a milled clasp with a simple clamshell fold-over and a push button release. It is signed with both the brand name and logo.

The Rocks Diver will be released in four different iterations, as seen below. They are Blue Rock, Turquoise Rock, Red Rock, and Black Rock. Bencler have chosen the Miyota 9015 to power them all. The movement is a 4Hz calibre with 24 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve.

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Specs

Case	316L Stainless Steel 39mm Diameter 45.8mm 11.7mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Caseback & Crown Ceramic 120-Click Bezel 300m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Flat Sapphire Crystal /w AR Sandblasted Dial BGW9 Super-LumiNova
Movement	Miyota 9015 24 Jewels 28 800bph Date at 6 o’clock 42-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Stainless Steel Beads-of-Rice Bracelet /w Push-Button Milled Clasp

^{Bencler Rocks Diver}

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Final Thoughts

Becnler is not reinventing the wheel with the Rocks Diver; however, it appears to be a good-looking, well-proportioned timepiece, with a solid automatic movement. Its dimensions will please a broad swath of the watch world, and the beads-of-rice bracelet is a classy addition. As a bit of a traditionalist, I really like the black reference. It harkens back to those quintessential and ubiquitous skin divers of the 1950s. And yet, there is just enough about the dial and the bezel to signal modernity. I like the design choices Bencler have made in using dauphine hands and the classic lollipop seconds. Throw in a sapphire crystal, and well…what more do you need in a daily diver? It certainly won’t be the price that holds you back…

The Bencler Rocks Diver will start at $339USD. For more information, please visit their website or their Kickstarter page.

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About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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