Today, I have the pleasure of examining RLG’s prestigious model, the Odyssea Diver. Throughout my experience, I’ve never found a green timepiece that truly captivated me, hence my anticipation for a different hue. Just a little over a week later, a carefully packaged parcel from RLG Watches arrived at my doorstep. Excitement surged as I eagerly unboxed the contents, only to discover that they had indeed sent me the green variant. Disappointing, to say the least. Nevertheless, I will don my reviewer persona, setting aside my personal color preference, and imagine that RLG had graciously provided the blue iteration. Let us now embark on the journey of determining the quality of their flagship timepiece.
Case & Crown
The RLG Odyssea Diver timepiece showcases an appealing case with a diameter measuring 38.9mm. With a lug to lug distance of 46.1mm and an overall thickness of 12.3mm, including the captivating domed sapphire crystal, this watch exudes elegance. The watch is made of high-quality 316L stainless steel, which gives it a durable and polished look. The brushed finish on the case, caseback, coin edge bezel, crown, and bracelet adds a touch of sophistication. Additionally, the polished chamfered accents along the top edge of the case enhance its overall appeal. The meticulous attention to detail truly sets this watch apart, exuding a certain charm that is hard to define.
The RLG Odyssea achieves a remarkable water resistance rating of 200m, and its proportions are exceptional, providing a superb fit on the wrist, falling within the desirable range of 39-40mm. Thanks to a thoughtfully designed bracelet, the watch offers impressive comfort, a feature we will delve into later in this review. The signed crown, measuring 6.5mm, exhibits a tasteful embossed RLG logo, enhancing its visual appeal, while its user-friendly design ensures ease of operation with its excellent grip. Notably, there is no wobble when the crown is utilized, and a satisfying sensation accompanies its unscrewing. The caseback, featuring a screw-down mechanism, showcases an intricate design at its center, portraying a dual anchor and a classic diving helmet motif.
Strap and Bracelet
The RLG Odyssea boasts a standard 20mm brushed and polished 316L stainless steel bracelet that exudes a true sense of luxury. This bracelet surpasses the mediocre offerings often associated with microbrands and encompasses all the desirable features one would expect from a high-quality wristband. Each link is solidly constructed, while the inclusion of female end links allows for effortless articulation. The pin and collar system, although generally dreaded, remains easily adjustable and sizable, thanks to the accompanying tools provided.
Interestingly, the bracelet showcases a cleverly designed 3-piece construction, cleverly mimicking a 5-piece arrangement. This unique aesthetic not only enhances the overall appeal of the timepiece but also adds a subtle touch of elegance without becoming overwhelming. Furthermore, the clasp exhibits polished chamfered edges that harmonize flawlessly with the bracelet’s visual allure. For added convenience, the micro-adjustment feature includes three holes, enabling a personalized fit. It’s worth noting that the bracelet tapers gracefully from 20mm at the lugs to approximately 17mm at its smallest point before widening back to around 20mm at the clasp, contributing to its overall refined look.
Movement/Accuracy
The RLG Odyssea has been equipped with the remarkable Miyota 9039 movement, renowned for its high beat and smooth sweeping motion. This Japanese movement, distinguished by its slender profile and absence of a date feature, possesses the convenience of self-winding capability. With 24 jewels adorning its intricate mechanism, the oscillating weight spins energetically, granting an impressive power reserve of up to 42 hours. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), the movement also incorporates a hacking function. After subjecting the Odyssea Diver to a rigorous test spanning three to four weeks, I eagerly examined its precision using a timegrapher. To my delight, the final results surpassed my expectations, as the RLG Odyssea Diver demonstrated an average daily deviation of merely +4 seconds, accompanied by minimal beat error. Truly remarkable!
Dial, Bezel & Hands
The RLG Odyssea Diver showcases an exquisitely crafted 120-click unidirectional bezel adorned with a coin edge design. Its sapphire insert, slightly domed and luminescent, adds a touch of elegance. Emblazoned on the sunburst fumé green dial is the model name Odyssea, presented in an italicized font. Just below, in white print, proudly resides the depth rating of 200m/660ft. At the customary position beneath the Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock, the new and improved RLG logo is skillfully applied. The hour markers, in addition to the Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock, are meticulously applied as well. To enhance their aesthetic appeal, each marker and Arabic numeral features chrome surrounds.
Despite the captivating green color choice, the overall dial design remains a masterpiece. However, it would have been delightful to have a date feature incorporated into the Odyssea, preferably with a white on black date wheel positioned at 6 o’clock. Moving onward, the watch boasts hands with a captivating fence post style. These meticulously crafted hour and minute hands exhibit well-balanced proportions and an exquisite overall design. The illuminated arrow-shaped part of the seconds hand is a pleasant addition, reaching all the way to the outer edge of the minute track printed in white.
Conclusion
I must express my admiration for the Odyssea Diver timepiece created by RLG Watches. Its dimensions, precisely 39mm, complement my wrist perfectly. Although any smaller, it might appear slightly undersized to me. The selection of movement is exceptional, and the craftsmanship is truly remarkable. The watch exhibits exquisite details, such as the polished accents, which add to its overall appeal. Remarkably, the Odyssea gives off an air of luxury that surpasses its actual price. At a retail price of $429, it remains readily available in stock, eliminating the need for lengthy waiting periods or pre-order delays. Shipping was prompt, with a mere three days for delivery to the UK. Undoubtedly, the Odyssea serves as an ideal everyday timepiece. If only it featured a date option and came in different colors, I would unquestionably be a fully convinced buyer. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
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