Believe it or not, this is the third time around at The Time Bum for the Second Hour Gin Clear. First released via Kickstarter in 2020 and then revised in 2023, the Second Hour Gin Clear Mk3 represents another step forward for the brand’s vision.
As a purpose-built dive watch, it has all of the usual refinements: 200m water resistance, screw-down crown, tool-less microadjust on the bracelet, and BWG9 Superluminova on the hands, bezel, and dial. Extra features Second Hour carried over from the Mk2 include 1200 Vickers surface hardening on the case and bracelet and six layers of AR coating on the flat sapphire crystal. The dimensions largely remain the same, with a wearable 40mm case diameter, 12.2mm thickness, and 47mm lug to lug.
As always, the differences are in the details, and some of them are particularly difficult to spot. Unless it’s literally your job to play “spot the difference.” One detail that’s listed right on the spec sheet is the switch from an ETA 2824 to a Sellita SW-200. From one excellent workhorse to another, Second Hour compromised nothing. The Gin Clear performed as reliably as we’ve come to expect from Sellita movements.
Second Hour has also changed up the color options for this iteration of the Gin Clear. The Sunburst Black and Arctic White are holdovers from the previous version, but the orange and light blue colorways of the Mk2 give way to the more mature Emerald and Dark Rhodium for the Mk 3. However, Second Hour continues their practice of absolutely drenching the dials and bezel in color. The date disk is, of course, a perfect match.
One feature I was sad to miss in the Mk3 was the striped markers at 12, 4, and 8. I liked the unique touch of whimsy it added to the previous versions. The hands have grown up as well. Out with the logo’d counterweight on the seconds hand, and in with diamond-cut baton hands matching the Gin Clear’s signature 4/8/12 hour markers.
Now on to the more subtle changes. Second Hour has further refined the already excellent case, smoothing the transition from lug to crown guard. The MK2 case had a three-line transition as the right-side lugs moved to the crown guards. With the MK3, those three lines smooth out into a single curve – addictive to run your finger along.
It’s been remarked on before, but I’ll add my voice to the choir: the case and bracelet finishing is superb. The transition between brushed and mirror surfaces is as sharp as you can ask for. The mirror finish on the interior chamfer of the lugs to match the bracelet must be seen to be believed.
The five-row bracelet has zero play but flows smoothly around my 6.5” wrist. (Author’s Note: My husband and his 7” wrist modeled for the photos. Taking your own wrist shot with a manual focus macro lens on a DSLR is harder than it looks). The polished undercut chamfer and curved lugs on the mid-case make the Gin Clear fit securely but comfortably on my wrist.
The crown got a smidge bigger, with 6 lines of knurling to improve grip, up from five. As with the previous model, the crown is easy to operate and snaps into position with ease. The metallic red band at the center provides a nice accent to match the bezel and second hand. Second Hour tops it all off with their signature sea turtle embossed on the case back. Who doesn’t love a good turtle?
With the third iteration, Second Hour has plainly articulated their vision: a sophisticated dive watch with a touch of whimsy, superbly finished. At $925, I have to say that’s a winning combination. Second Hour made what was already an excellent dive watch even better, without taking away what made the Gin Clear unique in the first place. Check it out either at Second Hour’s website or at Virage, their US authorized dealer. Hurry up, though, as of writing, the Second Hour Gin Clear Mk3, Arctic White has already sold out.
