[bczolone]

I'm seriously considering ordering the Ocean 1 black in 42mm. I have read a lot of good reviews but was wonder if anyone had any personal experience. They have a sale going on until Jan 30-31 so I want to decide quickly.

I don't want to be disappointed in comparing it to my Omega, or Hammy, but am I correct in assuming its a good tough watch, better than my Seiko divers?

I really like the classic simple look of it and, quite frankly will never be able to afford a Rolex and most likely never another Seamaster.

 

[Texcowboy]

I have owned two Submariners and have a Rolex Datejust now, so I am aware of quality.

I am not trying to say this watch is as good as a Rolex, however, I have no complaints with the workmanship, appearance, accuracy or wearability of my Ocean 1. To me it looks as good as a Submariner and it has been mistaken for one.:blush:

 

[triton]

The Ocean 1,Steinhart/Debeaufre are very well built watches,great looks,tough and accurate,I love mine.

 

[Watchdog]

I am also considering a Debaufre Ocean-1 (39mm, black face with red bezel) so it will be interesting to see the responses here. From what I have seen on other forums everyone seems to like them.

I was thinking of taking advantage of their sale as well but it's going to have to wait since I discovered and ordered the Watch Talk Forums watch yesterday.

 

[mikeb]

I have had an Ocean 1 two tone blue for several months. I haven't taken it off since I got it - kinda a road test. I work in a marine environment here on Hawaii. In addition, I wear it when I'm doing house and garden projects. It is a great quality watch and I'm very pleased with it. Even after the wear and tear I have put it through, it looks like it just came out of the box and preforms well.

I deal with several 100 guests a week and there has not been a week that has gone by that someone hasn't complimented me on it, even Submariner owners.

It is such a great watch, I plan on getting another one not sure which one.

Hope this helps.

 

[J. Fish]

Im a big fan of their watches. Looking forward to getting the aircraft 8

 

[wilfreb]

i own one, blue 42mm, great watch, swiss, sapphire, auto eta, very accurate.

not the best fit and finish. i found my invicta aussie better looking.

if you want a swiss timpiece, that looks like a submariner, i'll go with the invcita 4469, those have much better fit and finish.

IMO.

 

[bczolone]

Thanks I'd like to decide soon, I haven't owned an Invicta. I have SMP, Hammy and a bunch of Seikos; Auto, Kinetic, and Quartz. I have had Victronox, Wegner, and Citizen all with less than satisfactory results, none lasted more than a year without major problems. The toughest watches I have and do own are Casio G-Shocks, but I hardly ever wear them.

 

[Watchdog]

i own one, blue 42mm, great watch, swiss, sapphire, auto eta, very accurate.

not the best fit and finish. i found my invicta aussie better looking.

if you want a swiss timpiece, that looks like a submariner, i'll go with the invcita 4469, those have much better fit and finish.

IMO.

I don't know much about Invicta yet but it seems like there is a lot of complaints about customer service. Debaufre on the other hand seems to get high marks in this area (they sure responded quick to my e-mails).

Do you have any thoughts regarding customer service for both brands?

 

[wilfreb]

debaufre has a topnotch customer service, invicta have the worst ever.

 

[boscoe]

I have a Grovana 42 mm diver. This company manufacturers the diver's watches for Debaufre. It's a very solid watch, better in some areas than the Swiss Made Invicta automatic divers (not the Invicta Reserve line) and weaker in others. Particularly, Invicta has a nicer bracelet. The Grovana has better lume.
My Japan-only Seiko 6R15 Diver is a much better watch for the same money. Far superior fit and finish, probably the best lume you'll find anywhere - and a much improved hacking automatic movement. The Seiko also has a better bracelet and case than the Grovana/Debaufre.
All that said, I truly enjoy my Grovana, which has classic styling.
Photos follow:

 

[Watchdog]

Thanks for posting those pictures boscoe. Your Grovana is the exact color combination I thought I wanted and your pictures confirm it...it looks better than I had imagined.

 

[Pete]

I have both the Grovana and the Seiko, and I concur with El Boscoe.
Both are very nice.

 

[BadBoy]

I have the Steinhart Ocean 1 in 42mm.
It really is one sweet watch. I wore it for about a year. Fit & finish would rate IMO slightly better than Hamilton but not as good as Omega.
The bracelet (which they have redesigned) is decent and solid. Mine did have the press pins come loose after about a year (the removable links are screw-in). I was able to purchase a replacement bracelet from Steinhart (Debafre) for $50 and I got them to throw in one black and one green bezel inserts. At that time Elsa told me the new style bracelets were available, but I opted for the original style.
Lume is bright, and very white. Not as bright as Seiko or Omega, but whiter.
Great bang for your buck if you want a true Swiss watch.
Another thing I like about this watch is the way the dial fills the face, makes the watch appear even bigger.

BadBoy

 

[mgiraz]

Gets worn often and is a favorite !

 

[boscoe]

I have the Steinhart Ocean 1 in 42mm.
It really is one sweet watch. I wore it for about a year. Fit & finish would rate IMO slightly better than Hamilton but not as good as Omega.
The bracelet (which they have redesigned) is decent and solid. Mine did have the press pins come loose after about a year (the removable links are screw-in). I was able to purchase a replacement bracelet from Steinhart (Debafre) for $50 and I got them to throw in one black and one green bezel inserts. At that time Elsa told me the new style bracelets were available, but I opted for the original style.
Lume is bright, and very white. Not as bright as Seiko or Omega, but whiter.
Great bang for your buck if you want a true Swiss watch.
Another thing I like about this watch is the way the dial fills the face, makes the watch appear even bigger.

BadBoy

:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Hey BB! Nice to see you around. I figured you got lost in World of Warcraft or something!

 

[Scott D]

I second Bos's comments on the Grovana.. I bought mine about 5 months ago or so & love it. Fit & finish is great for the cost. Only complaint I have is it's hard to get the crown to start on the threads when screwing it back down. I have to go back about 1/2 a turn, then forward. But it's a minor issue...

Here's a shot of mine...