As a middle-aged adult (and I’m applying both terms pretty loosely), I’ve found it is easy to forget the magic of summer. My job is the same in July as it is in January. The warm weather means I now worry about things like “heat domes” and decide if it is better to repair or replace our ailing HVAC unit (don’t ask). But then, I look at my kids and remember when summer held the promise of adventure and leisure. I think I have found a way to recapture some of that — in a watch. The Seaborne Surfer Wavecatcher GMT ($437.97) sparks the same kind of joy that comes from cruising to the beach with the windows down, blasting your summer tunes of choice. For me, it was the B52s; if you are older, maybe it was the Beach Boys; if you are Gen Z, then I have no idea. I’m at the point where popular new things are weird and scary, but you get the drift. The Surfer is a cool watch that is also good for your soul.
The Seaborne Surfer Wavecatcher GMT ‘s stainless steel case measures 38mm wide, 45mm long, and 13.7mm thick with an 18mm lug box. Each surface is brushed in its own direction: circular on top, short and vertical on the sides, and horizontal on the lugs. All the edges are crisp, and the transitions are sharp, creating a sense of both solidity and dimension as the light catches each plane differently. Match that with the wide fluting on the bezel, and a small yet grippy crown, and you get one satisfying case.
While I hesitate to say that the watch wears small, I will note that the character line between the main barrel and the sharp drop-off of the lugs keeps your focus on the face, thereby minimizing its overall length. I found it to be a tidy fit on my 6.75″ wrist and a refreshing change from some of the bigger divers I typically grab on my way to the beach.
Of course, while the Wavecatcher may not be a “diver” in the ISO 6425 sense of the word, nothing would stop you from taking it down to your local shipwreck. The crown screws down, and the case seals for 200m of water resistance.
Flipping it over reveals a Seiko NH34 automatic GMT movement with a signed rotor. This is a relatively new unit based on the familiar, rock-solid NH35 architecture, so one can reasonably expect a long and trouble-free life. There are no specs or serial numbers back here. Instead, the watch reminds you to “Find Me Where The Waves Are,” leaving no doubt as to its intended purpose.
Does a surfer’s watch need a GMT complication? You can argue that for those of us who do not live in close proximity to gnarly waves, a surfing trip requires travel, and travel may mean a time zone change, and GMTs are traveler’s tools. Or, you can take Seaborne’s approach and say, “Sure, ’cause it’s cool,” and then do something utterly unexpected.
Yes, they’ve printed the obligatory 24-hour, day/night index on the dial, but the real fun is in that worldtimer bezel, which eschews cities for beaches. The top center isn’t New York or London, but Uluwatu-Kuta in Indonesia. We American east-coasters will have to align with Hyboria, which is apparently in Florida. Rotate the firm, 120-click, unidirectional bezel to check the time at Supertubes, Ha’Atafu, or Pipeline. I’d imagine that the number of people who can tie all these spots to their geographic location and time zone are few, and the number who actually have any need to do so are fewer still. I am certainly not among them, and I absolutely do not care. I love that Seaborne has done this. It’s fun, a little silly, and absolutely delightful.
Oh, and I should mention that the insert is sapphire, just like the AR-coated crystal lens and case back. On this particular colorway, it is fully lumed with the same C1 Super-LumiNova that lights up the cardinal markers, handset, and crown. So if you are thinking, “Dude, it’s getting dark here in P-Pass. I wonder if it’s too early to check in with my bros at The Bubble?” The Wavecatcher has you covered.
All three of the Seaborne Surfers wear colors and patterns inspired by retro surfboard designs. The green, tan, and red of the “Seagrass” version is arguably the most conservative with its muted tones and central stripes. The turquoise and white “Blue Lagoon” combines a classic summer combination with asymmetric graphics and just a pop of red from the date disk.
The “Old School” colorway I sampled is the most complex, presenting faded red, tan, and brown stripes on a warm white background. It’s a palette reminiscent of the early 1970s that looks as if it has already seen a few seasons in the sun to bleach it out. Despite its busy layout, the bold, brushed hands provide ample contrast, the red GMT has just enough pop, and the navy second hand is unmissable. Somehow, in all of this, they added three wedge-shaped applied markers too.
Now, check out the typeface used for the model name. It’s got a hand-drawn quality, top-heavy, and slightly irregular with a strong. mid-60s California vibe. The word “tiki” springs to mind. Was it used on a surf-rock album cover? Or a beach party movie poster? Or the label of a can of board wax? If it wasn’t, it should have been all three. If you buy the Blue Lagoon, you’ll get it on the numbers as well.
The Seaborne Surfer’s dial packs the same visual wallop as that strobe-painted 1973 Dodge Tradesman van your older brother’s weird friend used to drive. Stare too long, and you might catch the faint scent of weed and hear the opening bars of The Doors “Light My Fire” played through an 8-track. Ok, the Proustian memories triggered in your brain may vary, but you catch my drift. The watch conveys a potent sense of time and place and this is a very good thing indeed.
There is only one strap option: tapered 18mm soft silicone that is color-keyed to your dial and fitted with a 16mm signed buckle. I particularly like the mellow blue on the Old School. Some might lament the absence of a bracelet, but not every watch needs one, especially if you are planning to take it to the beach, where those steel links will become unpleasantly crunchy sand traps. No, the soft waterproof strap is definitely the way to go.
Seaborne has always been committed to the waterfront. As such, 5% of its profits go to organizations that preserve coastal communities, like the Cape Cod Commercial Fisheman’s Alliance. That commitment is also reflected in the brand’s packaging, a simple yet attractive and sturdy compostable cardboard box. Bravo!
I loved my time with the Seaborne Surfer Wavecatcher GMT. It is brilliantly designed and cleanly executed. It is entirely practical except for the city bezel, which is an exceptionally endearing kind of crazy. The whole watch is just bags of funky fun, and isn’t that what summer is supposed to be?
Head over to seabornewatch.com to choose yours.
