Selten Meteorite Watch
The Selten meteorite watch is a very unique, or as they call it “out of this world,” and welcome addition to the microbrand sphere. To say I haven’t seen anything else quite like it is an understatement, which is why I bought one. In the review video, I discuss initial pros and cons after wearing it a few days and also share the unboxing experience. Of course I include plenty of pictures.
Here, you will find some photos and a dab of context. Some pictures are provided by Selten. Finer details are in the review video.
Specs:
- Model: Series 00.00
- Diameter: 40mm
- Height: 13.4mm
- Lug Width: 20mm
- Lug-to-lug: 47.8mm
- Weight: ~134g (on bracelet)
- Case: Stainless steel
- Crowns: Regular push/pull
- Movement: Miyota 9132 automatic
- Accuracy: -10 ~ +30 sec/day
- Power Reserve: ~40 hours
- Crystal: Sapphire, inner AR
- Water Resistance: 5atm/50m/160ft
- Lume: n/a (is available in other Series)
- My Kickstarter Price: $299 + $49 bracelet + $10 serial #
- Preorder/Retail Price: $349-499/$599-799
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Overall design
- Price point for meteorite, especially at the Kickstarter price. Take advantage of pre-order while you can.
- Brushing
- 24-hour subdial design
Cons:
- Rotor noise
- Bracelet (also has a couple pros)
- Legibility
- Ghost complications
The Video
https://youtu.be/dFkpXNU0HOA
Timeline:
- 0:00 Intro
- 2:53 Background & Kickstarter
- 5:15 Initial Pros
- 8:27 Initial Cons
- 17:42 What’s in the Box?
- 19:39 Unboxing the Watch
- 25:40 Final Thoughts
Pros
The overall look of the Selten is something that stands on its own and makes it at least worth taking a look at. Meteorite watches can cost a pretty penny, so the price point is reasonable, and especially was at the Kickstarter prices. These factors make it an attractive entry level meteorite watch.
The case brushing, horizontal on the sides and vertical on the bezel, is very well done. I really like the bezel. The transitions and finer edges are polished. But what really brings this design home is the superbly done 24-hour subdial. A 24-hr subdial is probably one of my least favorite complications, you really don’t get much from it other than AM/PM and usually the designs are wanting. The Selten has a raised polished rim, a deep blue plate with light and dark discs representing the sun and moon, accompanied by polished stars. Very cool.
Cons
Miyota automatics can be loud and the 9132 in this particular Selten model is an example. This is one of the loudest watches I’ve had and you will hear it. Question is…is the juice worth the squeeze? Right now, the answer for me is yes. On the topic of the movement, you see that the watch has three-hand main time and the 24-hr subdial. But the 9132 also has the date and power reserve complications, meaning ghost complications. I understand why microbrands choose particular movements and cost factors in, but I still find ghost complications wonky and perhaps a better option exists or something could be modified.
Having worn the Selten several days at the time of this writing, I can also say that legibility can be an issue due the shades of grey, blue, and light. Legibility will probably vary some from watch to watch and model to model since every dial will be a little different (it’s meteorite), but I expect most wearers will have to do double takes or a longer stare to tease out the time. A random, not intentional picture from the day it arrived, shows the Breguet sytle hour hand with the circle just over the sun disk on the subdial. It took me a moment for it to hit me, and it illustrates the point.
Then there is the bracelet, which has some nice features. It is quick release, good spring action, and some perlage on the interior of the clasp. But, when you pick up the watch, the bracelet just doesn’t have a solid feel about it. Having tried a lot of bracelets on a wide variety of watches, I’d rate this toward the lower end in terms of fit and feel. Looks good in pictures, looks good in person, just doesn’t feel as good in hand and getting it on the wrist.
The Selten does have screwed links, which makes resizing easy, but the application of adhesive and tightness seemed inconsistent. I have had other Kickstarter and lower-cost watches with bracelets in which the screws tend to work themselves out if you leave it as-is. Jury is still out on this one, but I’d say it’s a potential risk. Also note that there is no micro-adjustment.
As with any watch, if a bracelet is offered I go with that and then get other straps as desired. This also came with a dark blue leather strap from a company called Has No Bounds, which at least initially has a great look and feel. The collaboration also included some nice tools in the package.
Final Thoughts
A couple more positive considerations to conclude on are that although the rotor is loud, it does look nice and is far removed from the typical. Just like the front, the overall case back design is a feast for the eyes with the varied but complementary finishing types. Also, having a serial number plate subtly hidden behind the bracelet at 6 (visible with strap) is a nice touch.
All in all, I like the watch. The Selten meteorite “out of this world” watch is a nice deviation from the repetitiveness of the industry. As with all watches, it has pros and cons, but if you are looking to add a meteorite watch to your collection, Selten is worth considering and I’m glad I backed the Kickstarter campaign. I say more about Kickstarter in the video and will have more content soon on wait times. I’m out!