Draken Benguela - coming soon

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Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Regular readers will be aware that I have a soft spot, as in owning multiple watches, of a Kiwi micro-brand Draken.

As such I like to keep my ear to the ground on up and coming developments and, back in December last year I posted a CAD pic of a new, forthcoming model the Benguela.
Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 9:49 pm . . . . .. .

Mike @ Draken posted an early design for a 500m Diver he's working on for next year, the Benguela.

Image

Gets my vote. Image

Guy

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Good progress has been made, despite the C-19 pandemic, on the development of the Benguela and some pictures of prototypes have recently been released;-

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image


Basic specs on the watch are;-

43mm case width
Bead blasted 316L stainless steel case
500m WR with HEV
Sapphire crystal with AR
Hooded lugs
Black, Blue or Green three layer sandwich dials
Seiko NH35A or ETA 2824-2 (limited number) movement

Further details may be found in Draken's various blog posts, the most recent of which from 21st July is Making of the Benguela - The Prototypes

Much as Draken has been around for quite a few years now and they might do a simple release on their webite, they have chosen to stick with the tried and tested (with their previous models) method of using Kickstarter, the launch of which is due on Friday 14th August 06:00hrs NZT / Thursday 13th August 19:00hrs BST (GMT + 1)

I'll be there; for a green dial version. :thumbup:

Guy
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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by jkbarnes »

I’ve never seen, nor even heard of, hooded lugs before. Is that purely decorative, or does it serve a practical, functional purpose?

That’s a sharp looking watch!
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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

jkbarnes wrote:I’ve never seen, nor even heard of, hooded lugs before. Is that purely decorative, or does it serve a practical, functional purpose?

That’s a sharp looking watch!
Admittedly the hooded lugs on the Benguela are fairly prominent, as in long, but an example of hooded lugs may be found on the Speedmaster Mk 2 and Mk 4.5
gaf1958 wrote: Mon Apr 13, 2020 7:58 am Mk 4.5 Speedmaster today.

Image

Image
What purpose do they serve, other than aesthetics? I don't know.

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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Macca »

Lovely thing the Benguela I’ve also been following this one, the green dial would be my pick too


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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by albionphoto »

Interesting but only for the ETA.
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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Macca »

Ironic you say that because I know the NH35 models will last longer it’s bullet proof and hacks and winds too


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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Macca wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 2:35 pm Ironic you say that because I know the NH35 models will last longer it’s bullet proof and hacks and winds too


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. . . .and it will be cheaper.

OK, the NH35 has the potential to be not quite as accurate, but when I wear a watch for no more than a couple of days at a time that's not crucial.

My view is that I do not need the additional expense of an ETA in a Micro-brand Tool watch.

Guy
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And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)

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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Macca »

Completely agree with that, there’s plenty of watches with the nh35 in there for a reason, keeps cost down. Reasonable accuracy and lasts ages.


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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by TheBeatles »

Macca wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 4:16 pm Completely agree with that, there’s plenty of watches with the nh35 in there for a reason, keeps cost down. Reasonable accuracy and lasts ages.
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Totally agree with you and Guy.

Nothing wrong with the NH35. Two of my most recent acquisitions have the good old NH35. The Hamtun Kraken from Kickstarter and the William Wood Valiant. For 2/3 days wear, you can’t go wrong.

Plus, any pennies saved go towards my next CW.
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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

TheBeatles wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 4:23 pm . . .. . . and the William Wood Valiant. For 2/3 days wear, you can’t go wrong.
.
.
.
Is that the new Fireman's watch?

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In small proportions, we just beautie see:
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)

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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by TheBeatles »

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 4:49 pm
Is that the new Fireman's watch?

Guy
Yes Guy,

It had so much personal attachment, I had to go for it.

To quote Rick from Casablanca “Of All The Gin Joints In All The World, She Walks Into Mine."

My wife actually worked in the same fire station control room as Jonny’s grandfather “William Wood” Because of this Jonny gave me a better deal than the early bird Kickstarter backers. It’s a great looking watch on both strap and bracelet. And the fire hose strap does smell smoky, a great touch.

Good story, as the picture of his grandfather and rest of Blue Watch is taken in front of the bar where my wife had her 21st birthday party.
Basically, I'm for anything that gets you through the night. Be it prayer, tranquilizers or a bottle of Jack Daniels, Frank Sinatra

All You Need Is Love, The Beatles

Too much of anything is bad. But too much of good whiskey is barely enough, Mark Twain
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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

TheBeatles wrote:
Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 4:49 pm
Is that the new Fireman's watch?

Guy
Yes Guy,

It had so much personal attachment, I had to go for it.

To quote Rick from Casablanca “Of All The Gin Joints In All The World, She Walks Into Mine."

My wife actually worked in the same fire station control room as Jonny’s grandfather “William Wood” Because of this Jonny gave me a better deal than the early bird Kickstarter backers. It’s a great looking watch on both strap and bracelet. And the fire hose strap does smell smoky, a great touch.

Good story, as the picture of his grandfather and rest of Blue Watch is taken in front of the bar where my wife had her 21st birthday party.
Hard to find a better reason to buy a watch and, presumably, no grumbles from your wife.:wink:

Top notch. :clap: :clap:


Guy

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In small proportions, we just beautie see:
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)

Inscription on the Longitude Dial
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Macca

Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Macca »

Just on the subject of Draken..
I always fancied this one but sold out in a flash

https://www.drakenwatches.com/shop/tugela/tugela-red/


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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Macca wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 7:48 pm Just on the subject of Draken..
I always fancied this one but sold out in a flash

https://www.drakenwatches.com/shop/tugela/tugela-red/


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I think I read, either on Draken's website or more likely on Social Media, that Mike is hoping to do another batch of Tugela 2.0 in the Autumn.

Guy
In small proportions, we just beautie see:
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)

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Re: Draken Benguela - coming soon

Post by albionphoto »

As I donated my last Draken to charity (the Kraken I think) I'm unlikely to go for this anyway.
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