Recently, I had the opportunity to sample not one but two products from the Swiss watchmaker, Davosa: the Argonautic Lumis and the Ternos Sixties U.S. Special Edition. I’ll write the Argonautic review soon. I’m giving you my take on the Davosa Ternos today because they have offered to give this watch away at the upcoming District Time show, which you should absolutely attend.
As you can see, the Ternos is a diver in the classic Submariner style. It’s an almost irresistible design but also one that can be somewhat fraught, as Rolex homages, clones, and outright fakes are a dime a dozen. While there are certain elements one expects from such a watch, nobody (or at least most watch enthusiasts) wants a 1:1 copy. The trick for any watch manufacturer is to take that template and make it their own. With this model, I’d say Davosa understood the assignment.
In traditional diver form, the Ternos’s stainless steel case is 40mm wide, 48mm long, and 12mm thick with a 20mm lug box. As such, it fits exactly as you expect, occupying the right amount of space on your (or at least, my) wrist and tucking smartly under a buttoned shirt cuff. If your idea of a dive watch requires something bigger, Davosa will gladly sell you a 42mm version. I find 40mm is all my 6.75″ wrist requires, and the smaller case makes the Ternos much more versatile.
Flipping it over, you will discover a very patriotic seahorse, a fun touch for a U.S.-specific model. Behind it beats a DAV 3021 automatic, Davosa’s version of the Sellita SW200, which is itself a 26-jewel unit based on ETA 2824 architecture. It’s a tried and true movement, smooth (28.8k bph), accurate, and easily serviced.
On the top, Davosa combines a vertically brushed surface with polished sides, bezel, and crown. Although the case flanks have no curvature or chamfer, the slim midcase and bright polish make the watch appear wafer-thin in profile. The crown is decorated and screws down; however, I question why when the watch is only rated for 100m. That extra bit of compression on the gasket is good insurance against intrusion, to be sure, but I would expect a higher level of water resistance with that.
Bezel action is tight, requiring some effort to snap it through its 120 positions. You needn’t worry about slippage. Once set, it will stay that way. A coin edge on the bezel provides ample grip. The insert is black aluminum.
Under the AR-coated sapphire box crystal is a traditional diver’s layout with no date. The markers are raised ever so slightly and well-lumed with SuperLuminova, as are the polished “Mercedes” hands. For me, the real standout is the color, a lovely blue fade that darkens as you get lower, just like the ocean. That inky lower section provides the right contrast for the aqua “Terenos Sixties” model name. While the rest of the watch is very tasteful, it is not necessarily unique. The dial, on the other hand, is familiar yet refreshing.
The Davosa Ternos ships with a three-link-style bracelet and a leather strap. The bracelet has brushed side segments and a polished center that ties nicely with the case. The three sections are not individually articulated but, rather, a single link. I love how thin each link is, maintaining the low profile established by the case. I did not size the bracelet out of respect for the eventual winner (they do not need me to strip, scratch, or lose anything) but did note the screw heads on either side of the pins and the matching decorative rivet on each. It tapers to 16mm, where it enters the signed, locking clasp for a period-correct look.
The strap is a weathered slate blue leather with a single row of stitching at the top. This is the strap I’d pull out to wear the Ternos on the weekends with jeans. It complements the dial colors and provides a laid-back look very different from the buttoned-up appearance of the bracelet.
Overall, the Ternos Sixties U.S. Special Edition is a quality piece. Fit and finish is top-notch, and it is undeniably handsome. You can order yours directly from Davosa for $919, and if you do it before March 6, you can take 10% off with code DSwiss4DC in honor of our D.C. watch show. As mentioned at the top, if you attend the event, you will have the chance to win this very watch at our prize drawing at 3:00 pm Sunday.
Join us and check out the Davosa for yourself! District Time by Tsao Baltimore will take place March 4-5, 2023, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the District Architecture Center, at 421 7th Street NW, Washington, D.C. We will have over 30 brands in attendance, several prize watches in addition to the Davosa, and loads of like-minded watch fans. It is free and open to the public. See you there!
