I Have the Smiths Everest myota high beat by Timefactors you should give it a try it is in 36mm that I have and in 40mm larger case,mine has the radium look
Jody the quality of your videos goes from strength to strength. The integration of macro is seamless and really enhances the review. Hope you feel better.
Even if I could buy a Rolex I doubt I could justify spending that amount on a watch. Good as it is Rolex is all about the marketing and hype. They are good at it. Ordered the black dial, with commando hands and like my Sea Storm it will be a great watch. Snobbery in the watch world is to be ignored. Buy what you can afford and enjoy. Great review as always 👍
True. They also have a lot of hype. But, in the words of Ben Clymer, "Rolex is Rolex for a reason". You can wear the damn thing everyday for the rest of your life. In other words, Rolexes were, and still are, built like tanks.
A homage will always be a homage. With a Rolex or a Seiko, Orient, Hamilton and so on you buy also a rich watch history. Imagine this conversation in 10 or 20 years. The watch people will ask Borealis? Maybe it will not exist anymore. But i bet my whole money that people will talk about the watches from Rolex, Seiko and so on.
@@pranaviyer971 Please, will you post something to verify that statement? Do you realize how much they charge to service the watches? Do you realize that life long AD's have verified that if you leave a new Rollie in the box for half a year, then send it in for service, they WILL replace half the parts. And once your watch starts to become vintage they will gladly charge you several thousands to steal your vintage hands and dial and replace them with brand new worthless parts!
430$ + 19% VAT =512$ = 452EUR... for me the price is OK, but I would rather put the money into a Hamilton or Seiko and not wait until Feb2020. Watch looks good, but a homage is a homage is a homage.
what a pisstake. It should be $200 tops. The chinese companys are really milking it. They are selling stuff really expensive now. San martin make copies of oris and other watches that they sell for $500-$600. They have one for $1100. They think they can get away with selling at western prices, but we can always buy spares of hamilton, seiko, steinhart etc. If something breaks the watchmaker can order parts from the respective companies. Good luck getting parts for your borealis.
How I imagine the conversation going in Scotland: "Hey Jimmy, you must be well minted, you got yersel a tidy wee Explorer? Eh, no quite pal, it's a Borealis... A Bory whit?" 😂
just got my white dial one in the other day and love it! my first borealis and am impressed by the build quality. ordered it thinking it was gonna have a ghost date and was pleased to see they changed the movement. the white dial with the black indices looks great as well (though the lume is week, but its there!)
By my eye the commando handset best suits the indices and dial on this one... agreed that no date is the way to go for best balance, therefore I went with the no-date, Old Radium with Commando handset combo 🔥
Bought the black dial, old radium with Mercedes hand. Now sold out. Thanks for the heads up; it’s a beautiful homage. You can’t buy an Explorer for $6500. Bob’s in Los Angeles has used ones for that price. Good review as always.
Just ordered the last Adraga pre-order remaining after watching your video. Looking forward to seeing in person. Looks very nice and very similar to a watch that I just put together from parts. How long does it typically take from order to shipping? Do you know?
I’d personally love to own a decent quality quartz explorer homage. Something hardy and inexpensive enough that I’d feel comfortable actually, yknow “exploring” with.
I actually think the Borealis looks better than the Rolex Explorer it's homaging. Wider bezel means it will wear better on the wrist at 39mm than its more famous cousin. Better lume and water resistance as well. No date versions will have the upgraded Miyota 90S5 movement. Can't beat that value! I bought this the instant it went on pre-order. Superb looking watch!!
I'd struggle with this when I could pick up a Parnis Explorer for a quarter of the price. Also my latest purchase, is an Oris Propilot 41m which although it's a non flieger pilot watch, I've found its scratched that explorer itch as well. Although Bark and Jack may choke on his (too milky) coffee at such a heretical suggestion.☕
No difference vs parnis. Borealis is custom badged chiense oem available on alibaba for fractions just like the rest of microbrands...they don't make squat.. they pick a watch from the cataligue , order it with their logo and sell it for multiples of cost.
This is more of a replica than a homage :/. They could at least change the hands or perhaps the markers. If it's likely to attract the classic, "hey is that a Rolex?", then I won't be wearing it.
A replica would have Rolex on the dial. Aka a fake. An homage can look pretty much identical as long as they aren't trying to pass it off as the real thing. Im not sure if there is any way a "replica" could be legally made.
I was thrilled to see this review on the no-date, blue dial version, which I ordered immediately on getting the announcement email from Borealis last month. Also thrilled about the 90S5 movement news. Can't believe it's not sold out yet, but this video may remedy that quickly.
Thanks for one more great review. I ordered the black dial, no date, old radium, mercedes hands version precisely because it so closely resembles the Rolex Explorer 1 at a mere fraction of the price. It's a tribute to Rolex's marketing gurus that they can sell a Borealis "homage" for 20 times the price. Definitely worth the difference to some, but Borealis seems to know their market as well. And in spite of the protestations from some, in the end, each is "just one more watch."
It seems I am very late to the party. Their site shows them all sold out. Is my only option their site or are they on the grey market? I cant find one anywhere 🤔
I messaged Borealis and they said the Adraga will return next year, exact time TBD. They pop up on eBay but they go for $500+, which I am unwilling to spend. I have a Tisell Explorer, they're pretty good and available for about half the price.
Now that you've pointed out your "wrist knuckle" I'm freaking out a little bit. I don't have that anatomical feature at all! As a result I always wear watches right at the wrist bend. Gotta get me one of them knuckles!
Just seen the new amazing looking waffle / flag Grand Seiko style dial variant on Random Rob's channel - so came here to get your lowdown on this prototype from 2 years ago. Now very tempted!! It may not be cheap - now $450 - but it's the least expensive watch I've seen with a 4HZ movement and beat rate / hand sweep is one of the first things I look for personally.
Interesting how they are using the Miyota 90S5 which is designed for open heart watches. They must have had a deal in bulk! :} Nice watch but for the price I rather get a a Smiths or something else with more character.
Kandi Pantel other than Rolex using real gold I don’t see anymore reason they should be priced as high as they are other than just paying a premium price for the name I by no means think they are the best watch available
Like this watch but they are all sold out in every variant. They also have a new stunning diver the Borealis Olisipo unfortunately it won't be available until next May!!!
Jody, did your watch arrive? Mine has more of a slightly domed crystal, not as high and boxy as it looked in the video 🤔 Great quality and really like the piece!
Just One More Watch Fantastic! maybe a keeper? (don’t see myself splurging on an Explorer in this lifetime) Really enjoyed your 2019 SOTC- All the best to you!
How do you manage to find the most accurate mechanical watches in existence?! My Eta2824 runs about 20secs a day slow, and my 4R35 runs about 20 fast and they definitely cost more than a lot of your featured chinese specials running within COSC😂
Thought I would take a few minutes to look into the Rolex Explorer($6,770.00), service in 10 years($1,000.00,est.). Great watch and possibly a great investment if taken care of. The Borealis Adraga you feature gives the look of the more expensive watch at a fraction of the price and future service costs. A Miyota 90S5 new costs $125.00 so buy the Borealis and a couple of new movements and be set for 30+years for under $800.00. Unless you treat your watches like your investment portfolio a the homage is the better purchase.
Timothy Mckee I’m talking about the automatic ETA version... I’ve seen some new ones for about 800€... it’s kind of the watch I’m really considering right now.. 39, 41 or 43 I’m thinking 41 with black dial.. the new ones with lume.. I love Longines and think they are quite under rated considering their history...
Timothy Mckee yeah it’s nice, but I have a lot of divers, I prefer the conquest over the hydroconquest to be honnest, it looks way cleaner without the diver bezel and the date complication. The conquest is really in the explorer 1 segment of sports/versatile watch, but a great affordable alternative with pedigree. I hope Jory reviews it...
@@augustinf i had a conquest and loved it. But the lugs are quite long so do try it on before you buy it if u can. It was my first watch, a 43 mm but around 51mm with lugs. Sold it as it wore too large but planning to buy the 41 mm again
Unimaginative? Maybe. But Borealis is delivering a quality product to a market not being served by Rolex. Plus there are many variations of the Adraga. I ordered the Black/old lume/combat hands/date version. I plan on making this watch my daily wearer and, sadly, I need to be reminded of the date (mercifully, not the day of the week . . . yet).
Yeah I don't care to enrich the Chinese copy shops these micro brands get subbed out to. Nor do I wish to reward Carlos & team for such an unimaginative effort at a cash grab.
Competition is all about offering an alternative for a lower price. We are all free to NOT PURCHASE any alternatives, but there is a market for those who are attracted to the aesthetic but can't/won't part with $6K for the original. "Can't Afford it?! Then do without!" can never be enforced in a Market Economy.
Borealis make some great affordable pieces. To be honest I don't mind that it's an explorer homage, as it's nowhere near as overdone as the sub. But if you're going to copy it this closely then go the whole hog, or do something different like make it 36mm.
Love the channel. Much more my budget than TGV. Lol. Totally agree with you about most things and definitely about the straps. So... here a video ode for you. .. can you do a straps video, especially affordable and best metal straps with great buckle. So i can replace the crappy ones that come with most watches, especially SEIKOs?
Nice but nothing available. I do fancy their white texture face dive watch that's available as a pre order. Might get that one. An interesting looking watch with a classy unique look. Neptuno white icy face no date.
I'm shocked as well the date versions are sold out. I think having the date on a watch is a must, but not for the Explorer. Even though the price is pretty high, I have the brown one on preorder and am pretty excited. The Explorer is my dream watch and this Adraga will fill that hole nicely until I can afford the actual Explorer.
Thank you for sharing this one; it looks fantastic. I am amazed at how good the lume is, I love the Jubilee too...I am very interested in this watch. Thank you for such an amazing review :)
Dear JOMW: Another excellent review! What a find! What fortuitous timing! My old eyes actually think the Borealis Adraga Looks better than the Rolex Explorer - that case and dial are beautiful! I also appreciate the drilled lugs. I really like the one you picked for yourself - the old lume and Mercedes hands have a classy look. The lume on the one reviewed here was awesome! I agree with you about the date vs no-date dial. I guess I better get to the Borealis site before I miss out - AGAIN!
@@hinchman101 I've been considering the 214270 for my 50th, as well. As such, I have to do the mental math of how far in advance I'd have to start the process. My comment was a tongue-in-cheek swipe at Rolex. I'm with you, though... my current collections is just fine without one!
@@UGA.D For me I plan to just save one year in advance. I make good money so saving 10k a year is not out of the question 😉. So if I were you do the math on like 10k so that way your safe in whatever route you chose. I plan to buy new I only need one Rolex in my collection. 😉👍🏿👌🏿✌🏿
Very nice. I have a few Borealis Divers. I really like them. This looks to be along the same quality. Personally, I will be passing on this. I can think of 1 other Rolex Explorer Homage, the Armida A6. Armida are Hong Kong based and I believe are part of the Same Company that makes Helson. Hey make it in 36mm and 40mm. They use the ETA 2836, so some of the models have a Day/Date at 3.
I've been wearing a Tiger Concept 1016 homage to scratch the (36mm) Explorer itch... mostly to see if I can live with a small watch on my big wrist. Didn't cost much and is a nice little time keeper despite being a Chinese Miyota copy movement. I do have plans of getting a 14270 at some point for my first "proper" Swiss watch as they can be found for reasonable (in the world of Rolex watches... so, still costly) price. As nice as this watch is... I don't think I can accept the price point of Borealis watches. Rather pick up a vintage chrono for similar money.
Hey Jody been watching your videos and saw this one and have now subscribed. I did not realize this was an older video clicked the link and of course all these type of watched are sold out. So do they not make more or did they only make a certain amount and then that was it?
Hey mate! Thanks for subscribing! Borealis make small batches, but they will probably do a V2 if there is demand. Contact Carlos via Instagram and tell him I sent you!
Nice but if you have $400 to spend there are a lot of great originals out there ,Think the Parnis or similar that go for between $75 and $150 are well worth it tho .
I like it. Interesting how similar it is and great lume. My only gripe is the price. Tisell managed to make a near copy of the (R) submariner for 235 dollars with the high beat Miyota 9015 I think that's the right movement, and this one is like 430.00 USD. The bracelet is probably a lot better than the Tissel. But not for 200 dollars more. So I will pass on this. I appreciate the review though. Thanks for sharing it. It sure is better than the Parnis look alike.
At a sunny BBQ, an You dash in for the Beer run and You catch a glimps of Your Blue Lume as You Explore, Deep into the Dark Cold Eski. Everyone asks, as You shake Your wrist attempting to gain feeling in it again, "Where The Hell did You Go Mate, We all thought You went Home?" Unreal Review JOMW, excellent Watch.
Is it the current trend for microbrands to use unnecessarily high water resistance as some kind of feature to pump up the price of their generic homage? I noticed it with both the Axios sub homage and this Adraga explorer homage. For all we know, they're all just a rebranded Parnis with a different crystal and crown. This Adraga even uses a Miyota just like the Parnis Expedition. And those Parnis cost a fraction of these watches.
Looks beautifully finished for the price. I think the attention to detail and used market value justifies the price. Not a fan of the Explorer look but keeping my eye on Borealis for other new releases.
I Have the Smiths Everest myota high beat by Timefactors you should give it a try it is in 36mm that I have and in 40mm larger case,mine has the radium look
Jody the quality of your videos goes from strength to strength. The integration of macro is seamless and really enhances the review. Hope you feel better.
Even if I could buy a Rolex I doubt I could justify spending that amount on a watch. Good as it is Rolex is all about the marketing and hype. They are good at it.
Ordered the black dial, with commando hands and like my Sea Storm it will be a great watch.
Snobbery in the watch world is to be ignored. Buy what you can afford and enjoy.
Great review as always 👍
they have their own foundary and forge and make their own magic oystersteel.
True. They also have a lot of hype. But, in the words of Ben Clymer, "Rolex is Rolex for a reason". You can wear the damn thing everyday for the rest of your life. In other words, Rolexes were, and still are, built like tanks.
A homage will always be a homage. With a Rolex or a Seiko, Orient, Hamilton and so on you buy also a rich watch history. Imagine this conversation in 10 or 20 years. The watch people will ask Borealis? Maybe it will not exist anymore. But i bet my whole money that people will talk about the watches from Rolex, Seiko and so on.
@@Sebastian85 Why do you care what other people will be talking about in 20 years? I do not understand why people are smitten by branding.
@@pranaviyer971 Please, will you post something to verify that statement? Do you realize how much they charge to service the watches? Do you realize that life long AD's have verified that if you leave a new Rollie in the box for half a year, then send it in for service, they WILL replace half the parts. And once your watch starts to become vintage they will gladly charge you several thousands to steal your vintage hands and dial and replace them with brand new worthless parts!
430$ + 19% VAT =512$ = 452EUR... for me the price is OK, but I would rather put the money into a Hamilton or Seiko and not wait until Feb2020. Watch looks good, but a homage is a homage is a homage.
Also the website is so misleading ! They put 215 $ and then you're hit with the other 215 and VAT.
Personally I find Zelos the best bang for the buck micro brand. There business model is much better as well.
Yeah it's nice but pretty steep price. I have an alpha Explorer. Much the same style but less than a hundred and fifty euros.
what a pisstake. It should be $200 tops. The chinese companys are really milking it. They are selling stuff really expensive now. San martin make copies of oris and other watches that they sell for $500-$600. They have one for $1100. They think they can get away with selling at western prices, but we can always buy spares of hamilton, seiko, steinhart etc. If something breaks the watchmaker can order parts from the respective companies. Good luck getting parts for your borealis.
@@zackarovegothico Yeah I agree its a bit disingenuous
How I imagine the conversation going in Scotland:
"Hey Jimmy, you must be well minted, you got yersel a tidy wee Explorer?
Eh, no quite pal, it's a Borealis...
A Bory whit?" 😂
I picked up a sterile Parnis explorer in the last sale. It's actually well made and running at +2/3 seconds a day.
Parnis it seems have generally better QC and are better well made than your Paganis etc
Wowser 😳
just got my white dial one in the other day and love it! my first borealis and am impressed by the build quality. ordered it thinking it was gonna have a ghost date and was pleased to see they changed the movement. the white dial with the black indices looks great as well (though the lume is week, but its there!)
Bought the white dial without the Mercedes.
Interesting that the date and vintage lume sold out first.
Mind blowing that the lume is better on the Borealis LOL
The Lume segment was interesting. Well done.
This is the version I got! 😍 I can’t wait for January. Thanks for the review, I’m just overjoyed they did the lume justice!
Jody, can you review by Jacob & Co Astronomia, when it arrives from Ali Express?
@Cool Crush Ice Killa :D
Cool Crush Ice Killa go check! There are a ton of people selling “them” on there. Kinda tempting lol
For the price I would buy a smiths everests 36mm. You should do a review of that one. There is a new updated model coming out soon
Nice to know! Where did you read about this update?
Jody, I've already ordered one. It does look good. You miss the fact that it is a 30 ATM compared to Rolex 10 ATM
I got mine in bronze earlier this year. It’s a strap monster too and looks fantastic on a army green nato. One of my favourite watches.
By my eye the commando handset best suits the indices and dial on this one... agreed that no date is the way to go for best balance, therefore I went with the no-date, Old Radium with Commando handset combo 🔥
Bought the black dial, old radium with Mercedes hand. Now sold out. Thanks for the heads up; it’s a beautiful homage. You can’t buy an Explorer for $6500. Bob’s in Los Angeles has used ones for that price. Good review as always.
I hope this review is positive because I just preordered my Adraga last weekend
Just ordered the last Adraga pre-order remaining after watching your video. Looking forward to seeing in person. Looks very nice and very similar to a watch that I just put together from parts. How long does it typically take from order to shipping? Do you know?
I’d personally love to own a decent quality quartz explorer homage. Something hardy and inexpensive enough that I’d feel comfortable actually, yknow “exploring” with.
Be N S O N sign me up for one if you ever find it...
I think timex has an explorer homage, might wanna check that out!
I think vaer has one coming out soon
Frankly, an homage with a Miyota 9000 - may as well get a Parnis or Corgeut and save 3/4 of the cash.
3 still available, the rest is sold out. How can a pre-order be sold out? Oh well, they're not getting my money then..
I actually think the Borealis looks better than the Rolex Explorer it's homaging. Wider bezel means it will wear better on the wrist at 39mm than its more famous cousin. Better lume and water resistance as well. No date versions will have the upgraded Miyota 90S5 movement. Can't beat that value! I bought this the instant it went on pre-order. Superb looking watch!!
Interesting that you still have that explorer from "mr. X".
I'd struggle with this when I could pick up a Parnis Explorer for a quarter of the price. Also my latest purchase, is an Oris Propilot 41m which although it's a non flieger pilot watch, I've found its scratched that explorer itch as well. Although Bark and Jack may choke on his (too milky) coffee at such a heretical suggestion.☕
No difference vs parnis. Borealis is custom badged chiense oem available on alibaba for fractions just like the rest of microbrands...they don't make squat.. they pick a watch from the cataligue , order it with their logo and sell it for multiples of cost.
Can I have a link to the Parnis explorer model?
This is more of a replica than a homage :/. They could at least change the hands or perhaps the markers. If it's likely to attract the classic, "hey is that a Rolex?", then I won't be wearing it.
You do not know the replica definition. Unfortunately, this watch is not a replica, it is a copy.
Regular people think an SKX is a Rolex
A replica would have Rolex on the dial. Aka a fake. An homage can look pretty much identical as long as they aren't trying to pass it off as the real thing. Im not sure if there is any way a "replica" could be legally made.
@@gilbertoflores7397 Ahh, the Nathan For You "Dumb Starbucks" marketing technique. I would like to place a deposit for a Dumb Rolex DateJust
Wow, shocked by the lume head to head. I give it to Borealis. I wear all my watches below the knuckle.
I was thrilled to see this review on the no-date, blue dial version, which I ordered immediately on getting the announcement email from Borealis last month. Also thrilled about the 90S5 movement news. Can't believe it's not sold out yet, but this video may remedy that quickly.
Aaaand it's sold out. Great job!
Got a v2 blue fumed dial on pre-order ..... All sold out again now .... Have to get in while they're available.
Damn that Lume wars result was surprising.
That dial color goes with the leather color that you chose really well. What's not to like!?!
That is honestly the nicest looking watch you've ever reviewed. Now I want one.
Thanks for one more great review. I ordered the black dial, no date, old radium, mercedes hands version precisely because it so closely resembles the Rolex Explorer 1 at a mere fraction of the price. It's a tribute to Rolex's marketing gurus that they can sell a Borealis "homage" for 20 times the price. Definitely worth the difference to some, but Borealis seems to know their market as well. And in spite of the protestations from some, in the end, each is "just one more watch."
It seems I am very late to the party. Their site shows them all sold out. Is my only option their site or are they on the grey market? I cant find one anywhere 🤔
Scott Lauren Me too,still looking for the right homage.
I messaged Borealis and they said the Adraga will return next year, exact time TBD. They pop up on eBay but they go for $500+, which I am unwilling to spend.
I have a Tisell Explorer, they're pretty good and available for about half the price.
I have never felt such a deep and abiding desire for a Parnis before.
Now that you've pointed out your "wrist knuckle" I'm freaking out a little bit. I don't have that anatomical feature at all! As a result I always wear watches right at the wrist bend. Gotta get me one of them knuckles!
That is an impressive homage, and timepiece overall. I love the case shape, and damn, Rolex, that lume shot was embarrassing for your brand lol
Just seen the new amazing looking waffle / flag Grand Seiko style dial variant on Random Rob's channel - so came here to get your lowdown on this prototype from 2 years ago. Now very tempted!! It may not be cheap - now $450 - but it's the least expensive watch I've seen with a 4HZ movement and beat rate / hand sweep is one of the first things I look for personally.
Interesting how they are using the Miyota 90S5 which is designed for open heart watches. They must have had a deal in bulk! :} Nice watch but for the price I rather get a a Smiths or something else with more character.
Astonished by the lume comparison... the more I learn about watches, the less respect I have for the big R 🤭
Blasphemy! Rolex is above all!
@@GinoMarks Well, we certainly are under them, and they are above us 😨
Kandi Pantel other than Rolex using real gold I don’t see anymore reason they should be priced as high as they are other than just paying a premium price for the name I by no means think they are the best watch available
Like this watch but they are all sold out in every variant. They also have a new stunning diver the Borealis Olisipo unfortunately it won't be available until next May!!!
That boxed sapphire looks so clean, I'm very tempted on this one.
Nice review, as always Jody.
A different hour hand and another font on the arabics and I would be interested.
East or West Vostok Amphibia is Best
Jody, did your watch arrive? Mine has more of a slightly domed crystal, not as high and boxy as it looked in the video 🤔
Great quality and really like the piece!
Yes! Mine arrived and looks great. Better than the proto!
Just One More Watch Fantastic! maybe a keeper? (don’t see myself splurging on an Explorer in this lifetime)
Really enjoyed your 2019 SOTC- All the best to you!
Time Factors PRS-25 Smith?
This thing has been sold out since you uploaded this video. Cool homage, but awfully pricey for all that it is. Do they plan to restock it???
Hard to go this direction when you can get a Glycine Combat 6 with a more unique dial and proper Swiss movement... and for less money
Jody can we please have an Aqua Terra update video?
300mm water resist. I'm sold. I can wear this pretty much everywhere I would a explorer.
Looks great, but not a fan of the jubilee for this case. Personal preference I suppose
How do you manage to find the most accurate mechanical watches in existence?! My Eta2824 runs about 20secs a day slow, and my 4R35 runs about 20 fast and they definitely cost more than a lot of your featured chinese specials running within COSC😂
@Tony Hill That's great. Where is your watchmaker based in London UK?
@Tony Hill Cheers
I like the Smiths Everest in 36mm by Timefactors and they now have a white dialed version. Great review Jody.
You can't go wrong with that design, an absolute belter, perfect weight and dimensions, that lume....⌚🏴⌚🏴
Ordered this one also the white one with the black loom
Interesting I think I need to sell a few before you get your commission
Would you suggest getting this or the Time Factors Smiths PRS-25?
Thought I would take a few minutes to look into the Rolex Explorer($6,770.00), service in 10 years($1,000.00,est.). Great watch and possibly a great investment if taken care of. The Borealis Adraga you feature gives the look of the more expensive watch at a fraction of the price and future service costs. A Miyota 90S5 new costs $125.00 so buy the Borealis and a couple of new movements and be set for 30+years for under $800.00. Unless you treat your watches like your investment portfolio a the homage is the better purchase.
If you're looking for an explorer homage, tisell are making one wich looks good on paper. Don't forget to chek it !
Great review as always... Agree with your points about the date and price
I pre-ordered the blue one and also the white one good value for money good review Jordi
I’d rather go for a Longines Conquest and put a bit more money... a real brand and a genuine design for under a thousand
Timothy Mckee I’m talking about the automatic ETA version... I’ve seen some new ones for about 800€... it’s kind of the watch I’m really considering right now.. 39, 41 or 43 I’m thinking 41 with black dial.. the new ones with lume.. I love Longines and think they are quite under rated considering their history...
Timothy Mckee yeah it’s nice, but I have a lot of divers, I prefer the conquest over the hydroconquest to be honnest, it looks way cleaner without the diver bezel and the date complication. The conquest is really in the explorer 1 segment of sports/versatile watch, but a great affordable alternative with pedigree. I hope Jory reviews it...
@@augustinf i had a conquest and loved it. But the lugs are quite long so do try it on before you buy it if u can. It was my first watch, a 43 mm but around 51mm with lugs. Sold it as it wore too large but planning to buy the 41 mm again
Augustin Fabre .... I read your mind. Not your post. Trust me. Longines all around in my family.
Unimaginative? Maybe. But Borealis is delivering a quality product to a market not being served by Rolex. Plus there are many variations of the Adraga. I ordered the Black/old lume/combat hands/date version. I plan on making this watch my daily wearer and, sadly, I need to be reminded of the date (mercifully, not the day of the week . . . yet).
That looks incredible, I wish I were ready for a new watch!
Yeah I don't care to enrich the Chinese copy shops these micro brands get subbed out to.
Nor do I wish to reward Carlos & team for such an unimaginative effort at a cash grab.
but you have pre-ordered one? Interesting
Yeah, you rather pay Rolex and their charity registered company who ask you to wait a year if you are lucky.
@@shino8854 that's a false dichotomy, you can chose neither as I did.
Go for something original in the same price bracket
@@shino8854 I'm suprised Rolex watches can be sold out
Competition is all about offering an alternative for a lower price. We are all free to NOT PURCHASE any alternatives, but there is a market for those who are attracted to the aesthetic but can't/won't part with $6K for the original. "Can't Afford it?! Then do without!" can never be enforced in a Market Economy.
Nice video, borealis is good quality... Btw Jody FPL is back is the JOMW league back as well this year? What did the previous year's winner get?
Very nice video. The lume part was great !
How does the quality compare to the Tissot sea star 1000?
Borealis make some great affordable pieces. To be honest I don't mind that it's an explorer homage, as it's nowhere near as overdone as the sub. But if you're going to copy it this closely then go the whole hog, or do something different like make it 36mm.
Love the channel. Much more my budget than TGV. Lol. Totally agree with you about most things and definitely about the straps. So... here a video ode for you. .. can you do a straps video, especially affordable and best metal straps with great buckle. So i can replace the crappy ones that come with most watches, especially SEIKOs?
So, 430$ for a SNKL23 lookalike with a miyota movement and modded explorer dial... :/
How did you get to the conclusion that this is a seiko snkl23?
SNKL has a shitty, basic movement that does not hack or hand wind. Does not have a sapphire crystal and has the worst quality bracelet known to man.
Does anyone know if it's possible to buy this in 2023?
Nice but nothing available. I do fancy their white texture face dive watch that's available as a pre order. Might get that one. An interesting looking watch with a classy unique look. Neptuno white icy face no date.
God, this watch looks perfect 😍
this watch looks like a certain Seiko 5 which I duh cant remember the reference number lol and explorer
I'm shocked as well the date versions are sold out. I think having the date on a watch is a must, but not for the Explorer.
Even though the price is pretty high, I have the brown one on preorder and am pretty excited. The Explorer is my dream watch and this Adraga will fill that hole nicely until I can afford the actual Explorer.
Thank you for sharing this one; it looks fantastic. I am amazed at how good the lume is, I love the Jubilee too...I am very interested in this watch. Thank you for such an amazing review :)
Dear JOMW: Another excellent review! What a find! What fortuitous timing! My old eyes actually think the Borealis Adraga Looks better than the Rolex Explorer - that case and dial are beautiful! I also appreciate the drilled lugs. I really like the one you picked for yourself - the old lume and Mercedes hands have a classy look. The lume on the one reviewed here was awesome! I agree with you about the date vs no-date dial. I guess I better get to the Borealis site before I miss out - AGAIN!
Thanks Jody, liked this so much I ordered the blue dial... using your link, obviously! Kind regards, Alex
I wonder how Tisell's "Explorer" compares to this one. It's nearly half the price, but the bracelet's mid links appear to jut more...
Does anyone know how radium compares to the more modern lume types in terms of brightness?
Hiya.I can't remember how bright radium was but it tended to last for hours.Cheers.
No, that's not your knuckle! That's your ulnar styloid.
Could you please send me a link where to buy wall watch like the one you have in the video?
This is a good looking watch , but I agree its to much of a rolex copy.unimaginative design for the price.
Great review
Check out the Bernhardt Binnacle Anchor. Good micro-brand that could fit the need for an Explorer.
How can i order a borealis adraga 36mm in jubilee bracelet? I wish to have this watch come Dec 2020...help!
I love the Explorer I in 39mm. I'm waiting until my 50th to get mine 👍🏿✌🏿👌🏿
@Timothy Mckee Still have to little guys in the house 13yr & 3yr. 😉😂🤣👌🏿✌🏿👍🏿 Still providing experiences for them. 😉👌🏿✌🏿👍🏿
Better get on the waiting list now, then.
@@UGA.D Not worried about it. I have a nice collection already 👌🏿😉👍🏿
@@hinchman101 I've been considering the 214270 for my 50th, as well. As such, I have to do the mental math of how far in advance I'd have to start the process. My comment was a tongue-in-cheek swipe at Rolex. I'm with you, though... my current collections is just fine without one!
@@UGA.D For me I plan to just save one year in advance. I make good money so saving 10k a year is not out of the question 😉. So if I were you do the math on like 10k so that way your safe in whatever route you chose. I plan to buy new I only need one Rolex in my collection. 😉👍🏿👌🏿✌🏿
Very nice. I have a few Borealis Divers. I really like them. This looks to be along the same quality. Personally, I will be passing on this.
I can think of 1 other Rolex Explorer Homage, the Armida A6. Armida are Hong Kong based and I believe are part of the Same Company that makes Helson. Hey make it in 36mm and 40mm. They use the ETA 2836, so some of the models have a Day/Date at 3.
I've been wearing a Tiger Concept 1016 homage to scratch the (36mm) Explorer itch... mostly to see if I can live with a small watch on my big wrist. Didn't cost much and is a nice little time keeper despite being a Chinese Miyota copy movement. I do have plans of getting a 14270 at some point for my first "proper" Swiss watch as they can be found for reasonable (in the world of Rolex watches... so, still costly) price.
As nice as this watch is... I don't think I can accept the price point of Borealis watches. Rather pick up a vintage chrono for similar money.
Hey Jody been watching your videos and saw this one and have now subscribed. I did not realize this was an older video clicked the link and of course all these type of watched are sold out. So do they not make more or did they only make a certain amount and then that was it?
Hey mate! Thanks for subscribing! Borealis make small batches, but they will probably do a V2 if there is demand. Contact Carlos via Instagram and tell him I sent you!
Nice but if you have $400 to spend there are a lot of great originals out there ,Think the Parnis or similar that go for between $75 and $150 are well worth it tho .
I really wanted it pick one of these up but $430 plus UK VAT and import duty just makes it too pricey for me. Shame because it looks awesome.
Nice Kickstarter! Good review Jody. 👍
If only this was 36mm, and didnt have the terrible swishy wobbly Miyota movement it would have been a winner - Even I would have bought one. Probably.
Try the Armida A6, it's an absolute beast.
I like it. Interesting how similar it is and great lume. My only gripe is the price. Tisell managed to make a near copy of the (R) submariner for 235 dollars with the high beat Miyota 9015 I think that's the right movement, and this one is like 430.00 USD. The bracelet is probably a lot better than the Tissel. But not for 200 dollars more. So I will pass on this. I appreciate the review though. Thanks for sharing it. It sure is better than the Parnis look alike.
At a sunny BBQ, an You dash in for the Beer run and You catch a glimps of Your Blue Lume as You Explore, Deep into the Dark Cold Eski. Everyone asks, as You shake Your wrist attempting to gain feeling in it again,
"Where The Hell did You Go Mate, We all thought You went Home?"
Unreal Review JOMW, excellent Watch.
Is it the current trend for microbrands to use unnecessarily high water resistance as some kind of feature to pump up the price of their generic homage? I noticed it with both the Axios sub homage and this Adraga explorer homage. For all we know, they're all just a rebranded Parnis with a different crystal and crown. This Adraga even uses a Miyota just like the Parnis Expedition. And those Parnis cost a fraction of these watches.
I believe they could push it to 300 usd in total ..... Anyway great review :)
Looks beautifully finished for the price. I think the attention to detail and used market value justifies the price. Not a fan of the Explorer look but keeping my eye on Borealis for other new releases.