Fresh from the dynamic Singaporean brand Boldr comes the Expedition Enigmath Trio. Unified by their design and available in a variety of colourways, these watches are undoubtedly tool-oriented, catering to those with a knack for mathematics or anyone in search of a slide-rule watch. If you've been contemplating the addition of a slide-rule watch to your collection, read on, as these might tempt you.
This is Boldr's first attempt at a slide-rule bezel watch and on first impressions, I was a little dubious. I wasn’t aware of any dimensions beforehand, as I didn’t want any preconceptions to cloud my first thoughts. However, once on my wrist, I was pleasantly surprised.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath Coconino Blue. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
Amid our digitalized lives, where we heavily rely on Wi-Fi and phone signals, this watch provides a nostalgic alternative—a return to a simpler era when calculations were scribbled on paper. A glance at the slide rule, and you're ready to crunch numbers. If you're curious about its usage, though, you might need an internet connection to access the instructions—quite ironic. You can click here and see how to use this.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
William Oughtred, in the 17th Century, pioneered the invention of the circular slide rule. This innovation bestowed upon us the capability to conduct a diverse array of calculations on the go—an invaluable tool for adventurers. With just a few clicks of the bezel, one could effortlessly compute speed, distance, ascent/descent rates, fuel consumption, and more.
Boldr goes beyond the ordinary blue, black, and green; instead, you have the Coconino Blue (inspired by the blue lakes at the Coconino Forest Reserve in Arizona), Schwartzwald Black (after The Black Forest in southwestern Germany), and Sinharaja Green (named after the Sinharaja Forest Reserve in southwest Sri Lanka). These names are not arbitrary; they pay homage to places of exceptional beauty and adventure. With meticulous attention to detail, the watches grow on you the more you wear them.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
The dial features a subtle ombré gradient, fading towards the outer edge to black, revealing the white inner bezel housing the slide rule.
The 316L sandblasted stainless steel case showcases meticulous craftsmanship. The highly polished bezel and case details subtly stand out, complemented by a tall chamfered anti-reflective Sapphire Crystal, creating a striking profile when viewed from the side.
Equipped with two screw-in crowns, one at 4 o'clock for adjusting the time and another at 2 o'clock for rotating the inner slide bezel, the Expedition Enigmath offers a user-friendly experience.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
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- £24.00
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The busy dial remains surprisingly readable, with partially lumed skeletonized hour and minute hands sitting perfectly on the dial. A tiny aircraft on the tip of the second hand and an equilateral triangle with two dots (this 12 o’clock triangular index enables the pilot to quickly figure out the 12 o’clock position in relation to the upright orientation of the dial) at 12 o’clock highlight its pilot watch capabilities, blending functionality with style. Arabic numerals at even hours, bar indexes, a well-proportioned Boldr logo below 12, and the Enigmath name and depth rating just above the 6 contribute to the dial's clarity. The abundance of SuperLuminova ensures legibility in low light.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
Powering the watch is the Miyota 9039, a 28,800 bph automatic movement with self-winding and hacking seconds, offering a 42-hour power reserve for extended adventures. Printed on the clear case back, we see the maths theme continuing. With the Fibonacci Spiral and various diagrams and formulas, this isn’t something you see every day.
Wearing smaller than its 41mm x 47.5mm x 12.8mm frame suggests, the watch fits snugly on the wrist and becomes even more comfortable as the strap softens over time.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
Each watch has its own distinctive look, with the Coconino standing out as a personal favourite due to its appealing blue hue. The canvas straps, matching the dial colours, feature a leather-lined backing and metal eyelets for the pin buckle. However, the strap's hole spacing might be slightly off, leading to a somewhat loose or tight fit—a minor inconvenience. Also, I feel a quick-release pin bar option should have been included for the convenience of swapping the strap.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
The Sinharaja (green) has a military vibe to it whilst the Schwartzwald (black) has a very monochromatic and stealthier vibe.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
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- £88.00
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- £88.00
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- £44.00
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There is an option to add a matching stainless-steel bracelet which is quite a nice touch. It will look very different on a bracelet and be a far sportier option. The bracelet matches the case perfectly with the same sandblasted silk finish. It features not only quick-release pin bars but also a micro adjustment on the clasp, which I commend Boldr for. The clasp has a similar mathematical theme inscribed with the Boldr logo. This comes in at around £173.00 and would be an additional purchase. Also included is a handheld Slide Rule for you to get to grips with.
While marketed primarily as a tool watch, I see it fitting seamlessly into the Pilot or Field Watch subcategories. Priced at only £481.00, this watch offers excellent value for money. Even if the slide rule remains a seldom-used feature, the cool aesthetics make for a great conversation starter. Whether or not you'll utilize the slide rule, this Boldr Expedition Enigmath deserves a closer look for its overall appeal.
Boldr Expedition Enigmath. Credit: @realwatchbrothers
ZULUDIVER 1973 British Military Watch Strap: ARMOURED RECON - Military Black, Polished
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- £12.00
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Technical Specifications:
- Case: 316L Stainless Steel with sandblast and polished finishing
- Movement: Japan-made Miyota 9039, automatic, self-winding, hacking seconds, 42-hour power reserve, 28,800 bph.
- Water Resistance: 200m (660ft) / 20ATM
- Crown: Dual screw-down crown with custom embossed BOLDR logo
- Bezel: Inner rotating bi-directional bezel
- Dial: Ombre Blue, Green or Black matte dial with Swiss Superluminova BGW9
- Hands: Custom hands with Swiss Superluminova BGW9
- Lens: Chamfered edge sapphire crystal with Anti-Reflective coating
- Strap: Dark-Navy Blue, Jungle Green or Matte-Black canvas strap
- Case size: 41mm (Diameter of dial)
- Case thickness: 12.8mm with glass
- Lug size: 20mm
- Lug to lug: 47.5mm
- Case Back: See-through case-back with custom artwork
- Individually numbered.
