Obris Morgan is a brand that continues to impress me. Some might say I could be a fanboy of them, and for the most part, I would say that is probably true. But there is a reason. Obris Morgan continues to build a fantastic replica watch for what might be the best value when it comes to micro brand dive replica watches.
The Explorer 2, is an update to the Explorer model released in 2013. While there are not a ton of upgrades, ( the case and bracelet are basically the same, and still a Miyota 9015 movement), there are some nice improvements. One of them being something I have been saying to Justin, the owner of Obris Morgan, for quite a while, date window. Some of their previous offerings (Branco, Nevon, and even the Explorer 1) were lacking a date window, so it is nice to see one here with the Explorer 2. Some of the other differences are a thickness of 12mm as opposed to 10, and a 3.4 double domed sapphire crystal.
Here is a video below to get a nice real time look, and also the full specifications.
Obris Morgan Explorer 2 Specs:
- 200 meters water resistant Tool Diver
- 28,800 BPH High Frequence Movement (Miyota Cal. 9015)
- 120 clicks Unidirectional Bezel
- Automatic Helium Escape Valve
- Thick Printed Superluminova Lumed Indices and hands
- Horizontal Brush Dial
- 3.4mm Double Domed Sapphire , Anti-reflective Coated
- Super Engineer 4.6mm thickness 5 links Bracelet
- Stainless Steel Movement Holder
- Triple Seal Screw-in Crown
- 42mm diameter excluded Crown
- 12mm thickness included caseback
- 51mm lug to lug length
- 20mm lug width
- 216g net weight
- Price $279 for Brushed version ( as shown)
The running theme of this review, will be value. In the video I give a good look at the replica watch and point out many of its key features, so here I thought I would talk about what I really love about the Explorer 2, and what little changes I would have made.
The case is a brushed 42mm with 20mm lugs. Except for the added height, which comes from a thicker case back and thicker sapphire crystal, it is still that great Explorer case with its chunky body and slightly curved lugs. As with the first iteration, there are no crown guards, which might make the crown susceptible to damage, but it also allows for easy manipulation and setting. The dial is the same as the first as well, but this time with a thicker lume application all around, which is easy to see to the eye, a date window located at the 3 position and some nicer font and coloring for the text on the dial. There is nothing overly flashy with the dial, but it has that tool diver look many of us have come to enjoy from many brands, and it is crisp and clean, easy to read with its brushed chrome hands against a beautiful brushed blue dial. The dial was hard to capture with my studio lights, but if you look at the photos that were taken outside, you can see the true deep blue of the brushed dial, and matching aluminum dive bezel. If you are a fan of blue in replica watches, you really need to check this replica watch out in person, it is just that nice.
The case back, as always with most Obris Morgan replica watches is a nice combination of brushed and frosted finishes, but the engraving has changed, now along with the usual specifications, it has 2 dive tanks in the middle, offset by the brushed horizontal lines. While it is not the most spectacular case back ever, Obris Morgan could have easily used the older case backs, instead they decided to make something new, and anytime that you do something new, that means more money for the molds. Yet still this replica watch comes in at the same price as the first version did.
The bracelet is the very comfortable 5 link engineer style bracelet with dive clasp, (but still no dive extension). The bracelet has no rough edges, is easy to size with the one sided screw bars and just wraps around the wrist. If you are not a bracelet person, the Explorer 2 also includes a natural rubber, vintage isofrane style strap, which is another great addition to the Obris lineup. I believe these straps are $20 if purchased separately, and look and feel great, and honestly Obris Morgan could probably charge $40 for them if they wanted to. The straps are meant for people with about 7 inch wrists or more, so if you have a smaller wrist, you might be in the very last hole on the strap. I show the Explorer 2 here in pictures on the bracelet, but you can see it on the strap on my 7.5 inch wrist in the video.
As I mentioned at the top, one of the key upgrades was more lume application. The lume on the Explorer 1 was on the weak side, and Obris Morgan listened to their customers and added more lume compound to the dial and hands. And I would say they did a damn good job, as you can see the lume is very bright, and also lasts many hours in the dark, I would say from about 4-5 hours of easy readability in complete darkness. Now, some people will argue that, and I have always said it depends on your eyesight. My eyesight is pretty decent and adjusts to the dark allowing me to see the lume on most of my replica watches for hours. While the Explorer 2 does not retain the initial brightness after about 45 minutes (most don’t), I still had no issue seeing the time at 4 am after hitting the sheets at Midnight.
Like I said in the beginning, overall the Obris Morgan Explorer 2 is another excellent value. At $279, I am not sure if there is another dive replica watch out there at this price that can compete. You are getting a very nice brushed case, a great dependable automatic movement with the Miyota 9015, sapphire crystal, solid link bracelet and natural rubber strap, and it all comes housed in a pelican style case with extra lug screw bars, screwdriver, and a polishing cloth. Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention, the $279 price includes shipping!! If I sound emphatic with this review, its because I am. With so many of us on a budget these days with the prices of necessities going up and up, it is nice to see you can still get a great quality replica watch with all of the bells and whistles, for under $300.
Thank you for reading, you can look at all examples of the Obris Morgan Explorer II on their website HERE.
