When I was asked to review this watch recently, I had to admit I wasn’t aware of Sphaera as a brand. Sphaera has been running since only 2023 and is the first watch brand to come out of Salzburg, Austria. They currently have 3 models available, the Epoch Sport, Epoch Classic and the one I have to review today, the Desk Diver.
The trio at the helm of Sphaera are watch enthusiasts Martin Ebner, Danial Deák and Michael Jug and they have pooled their skills to create watches built for adventure. The Desk Diver was successfully floated on Kickstarter in May 2023 and from there, the brand has now added two more models.
Sphaera Desk Diver. Credit: WatchGecko.
"Sphaera, derived from Latin for Sphere, embodies the entirety of time, signifying its significance in our lives. Time shapes our experiences, and it is up to each individual to seize their potential. We believe that everyone holds the power to design their happiness. It is the narratives of our journeys and encounters that shape our identities."
This is the ethos and meaning behind the brand and it is great to see such honesty and openness from them. We need a backstory to be able to have connections with brands, which I feel is so important.
Each Sphaera timepiece is meticulously assembled in Saltzburg, where the brand draws inspiration from its picturesque surroundings. With an annual production of around 300 watches, Sphaera emphasizes quality over quantity, ensuring that each piece meets its exacting standards.
Sphaera Desk Diver. Credit: WatchGecko.
Let’s start with the 40.5mm Sandblasted 316L stainless case, it only has a 48mm lug to lug and is 12.5mm high, so it fits and hugs the wrist well. It features both a screwed-down bezel (this has a nice straight grain finish to its upper face) and case back, it has a triptych case design, which I quite like, although the purists will squirm at the screws not all aligned the same way and as it’s classed as a diver’s watch, we don’t have a rotating bezel that we’re used to. But when you look at the inspiration for this model, vintage diving helmets from the 19th century, that have a steampunk industrial design, then this Desk Diver does seem to work.
The case, finished to resemble titanium, exudes a softness and comfort seldom found in stainless steel counterparts. Its non-reflective surface adds to its allure, offering a subtle yet refined aesthetic.
A standout feature of the Desk Diver is its Hesalite domed glass, evoking nostalgia for vintage timepieces. One thing that does stand out is the two-piece sandwich dial, it has a faded velvet black finish to the upper section, and the lower one is filled with SuperLuminova C3 X1, which makes this extremely legible during both the day, with its nice vanilla hue and night when it glows.
Sphaera Desk Diver. Credit: WatchGecko.
The dial has Sphaera’s signature bullet-shaped indexes and the 12, 3, 6 & 9 number markers and their logo sits just below the 12, printed in a soft grey. There is a nice balance between the hands and indices, and they seem to have the proportions about right. The oversized crown lets you adjust the time with ease, although it does unscrew further than most, slightly exposing the stem, which I found a slight concern. However, I love the overall look and feel of this watch.
It offers a water resistance of up to 100m/ 10ATM so it should be enough for you to go for a dip in the pool or wash your hands in the staff bathrooms. It’s powered by the Swiss-made Landeron 24 movement, beating at 28,000 BPH and comes with 40 hours of power reserve.
Complementing the watch is a 20mm olive green handmade strap crafted from ripstop nylon, featuring a leather backing and meticulous stitching that mirrors the dial's design.
They have put in the effort too when it comes to packaging, as the watch comes in a nice, sealed tin, which you open with a ring pull. Inside you will find a small hessian-style bag with wood shavings - a nod to its alpine origins.
Sphaera Desk Diver. Credit: WatchGecko.
I really do like what Sphaera have done here; they haven’t just followed what others have done before. Maybe it doesn’t need a bezel to be a desk diver, as they are perhaps aiming this watch at a different audience. Those who just don’t dive, but want the look and feel of a watch that could? Have they achieved something that bigger brands haven’t? Perhaps, by playing on the words “Desk Diver” they are saying do we need a 300m dive watch at the photocopier? The sense of amusing the wearer is apparent too, holding a mirror up to those who feel the need for such depth ratings when the truth is they perhaps don’t even swim. The Desk Diver's appeal lies in its versatility, bridging the gap between field, pilot, and diver watches.
In conclusion, the Sphaera Desk Diver offers a refreshing take on traditional watchmaking, blending heritage-inspired design with modern innovation. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a novice enthusiast, the Desk Diver is sure to make a lasting impression.
Sphaera Desk Diver. Credit: WatchGecko.
These are priced at €1.200,00 and for some, you may ask why so high. I guess originality comes at a cost, they haven’t just copied what we have seen before and much time has gone into the development of this watch, so in the end, it is up to you, the punter. Do you like it enough to own one, perhaps you should at least give it a try. I must admit, I am quite taken by it.
You can check out our interview with the team at Sphaera Watch Co. here:
Specifications:
Dimensions:
- 40.5 mm Diameter
- 48 mm Lug to Lug
- 12.5 mm Height incl. Domed Hesalite
- 20mm Lug Width
Case:
- Hand Finished, Sandblasted 316l
- Stainless Steel
Glass:
- Domed Hesalite
Dial:
- Velvet Black Dial with
- Super-LumiNova C3X1
Strap:
- Handmade olive-green Rip-Stop Strap
Water Resistance:
- 100 Meters / 10 ATM
