Astor + Banks: The Sea Ranger
By: Kaz Mirza
Very proud to have spent some initial hands on time with the new Astor + Banks Sea Ranger at Wind-Up SF 2019. The Chicago-based microbrand just unveiled their new diver with 3 dial options: blue, white, and black.
Initial impressions of the Astor + Banks Sea Ranger are incredibly positive. At 40mm the wearing experience is quite strong. But for me what tipped my wrist-time over the edge was the design. The Sea Ranger’s design combines classic field and dive watch tropes in an effort to bring folks a proper GADA watch (Go Anywhere Do Anything watch).
The Sea Ranger is rated for 30 ATM WR (300 Meters) and also features a sunken interior military hour track. Plus (and what I found most fun), there’s a 12H bezel rather than a dive bezel so you can track a second timezone with the watch. Functionality profile aside, aesthetically, I think the Sea Ranger is a blast. Very fun to wear and a great visual look. Aside from the bezel and the military time track, I love how bold the pop of color and presence is on the seconds hand. What does everyone think?
Astor + Banks Sea Ranger Specs:
- 40mm in diameter
- Sapphire Crystal (AR Coating)
- 316L Stainless Steel case (also available in DLC)
- Screw-down case back | screw-down crown
- Movement will be either an ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200
- Drilled through lugs
- $Final Price: $850 – currently $275 off on their site ($575)
Check out Astor + Banks for more info!
Co-Founder and Senior Editor
Kaz has been collecting watches since 2015, but he’s been fascinated by product design, the Collector’s psychology, and brand marketing his whole life. While sharing the same strong fondness for all things horologically-affordable as Mike (his TBWS partner in crime), Kaz’s collection niche is also focused on vintage Soviet watches as well as watches that feature a unique, but well-designed quirk or visual hook.
ordered a blue one on the metal bracelet. I love the design of this watch.