Erebus Ascent (Jody JOMW brand)

Many of you are probably familiar with Jody from Just One More Watch, generally undertaking reviews of value watches at the lower end of the market and IMO one of the most likable Watch YouTubers.

He and his business partner started their own watch brand, Erebus, earlier this year I think. Their first watch was a diver (the Origin), which was a decent attempt but didn’t really float my boat, but there was a very interesting vid where they went to the factory in Hong Kong to see the production process first hand. They’ve just released their second watch, the Ascent, which they claim as a GADA style, and I have say I’m much more impressed with this effort.

I think Jody has alway said this type of watch is his favourite, and I’d say you can tell the Ascent has been developed by an enthusiast. The hand set and case profile remind me a lot of the old Seiko Sarb 033/035’s. A nice touch is the lumed counterbalance on the ‘needle’ seconds hand. According to Jody there is stacks of lume and AR coating. The application of the logo and date frame look good. Crown us screw down, watch is 39mm with 20mm lugs and 11mm thin, with a Miyota 9015 movement.

Bracelets have quick release and on the fly adjustment, comes in J or O style (think we can all guess what those letters represent!). I like the plain enamel dials, but I’m a bit boring like that - there’s also fume, helix and mineral dial options. The enamel dials are £289 + shipping and most likely import duty, which on paper (having never held one in hand) seems to offer very good value. Am definitely tempted to get a preorder to see what they are like.

Anyway just thought I’d share as couldn’t see they’d been discussed anywhere else.

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https://erebuswatches.com/collections/ascent


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"Heeeeelllloooo, and walecum to just one more watch!"


They look quite nice, Grand Seiko vibes.

These are what I call "safe designs". Nothing to see, really.

I'm tempted by the blue enamel. Decent price even with tax added.
My hunch is they'll do a GMT with a miyota next.

Thanks for sharing that. I'd never heard of the brand or the person but I've had a look at their shop and I really like a lot of both models they have.

I think that's a little bit harsh. They could have done diver and DJ clones but I feel both models are different enough to be attractive, especially the divers.

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Originally Posted by abraxas

These are what I call "safe designs". Nothing to see, really.

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They're definitely 'safe' designs, but I think there's a real value to a safe design executed well at a good price (which this is likely to be). The Origin is also a pretty 'safe' design, and it's a very nice piece (I picked mine up here 2nd hand).

I think I quit out half way through his unveiling video as they didn't really do much for me, but on closer look I rather like the helix dials. I don't think the mock-ups do the actual texture justice either! I think that overall they're still a bit too bland for me, but that dial on something else then maybe!

Not sure GADA applies to a 100m WR microbrand watch, they tend to be pretty conservative about what you can actually do with them.

I watched the video on these and some of the dials look amazing. I might be tempted to get one one day [emoji848]


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Originally Posted by davidj54

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Anyone who habitually sneers at microbrands should take a close look at the details of this watch - especially things like the multiple, polished facets of the hands and applied indices. That's a lot of difficult machine work for something many won't even notice...

By contrast, earlier I was looking at Cartier's latest 'Tortue' incarnations - I like them very much, but up close they have Cartier's usual very simple hands and dials - the hands are pressed from sheet metal, and the dials for the YG version are simply pad-printed, i.e. exactly the same way your golf balls get their logos! Nothing wrong with it, it's incredibly accurate nowadays, but it's hilariously cheap and easy to do.

https://hodinkee.imgix.net/uploads/i...Tortue_046.JPG

The Cartier cases, too, are exceptionally simple and rather clumsily proportioned, albeit also a slightly awkward shape to machine... You do get a precious metal case, and of course an artificial gemstone set into the crown (the sort of stunt that would attract tremendous derision if a microbrand had done it first!) - and that'll be £50,000 please.

Obviously the Erebus gets a stainless steel case, and a very basic movement - but one well regarded for robustness and capable of to-the-second calibration with a bit of patience. Zero brag-factor of course...

If the Chinese ever get as good at marketing and advertising as the Swiss, then the latter will be in a LOT of trouble...

It’s quite Seiko Sarb. Nothing wrong with that, just nothing new.

I’ve never been a fan of the cat flap date window at 6. If they’d tapered the window’s top edges I think it would have been more in keeping with the indices.

200m water resistance would probably then justify the GADA moniker.

Not bad effort.

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Originally Posted by abraxas

These are what I call "safe designs". Nothing to see, really.

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Really? You call this "safe"?!

https://erebuswatches.com/cdn/shop/f...O-Style_ro.png

Sure the styling is a mite derivative - but that's a lose-lose bet anyway: do something different and the exact same people will complain it's too out there!

Like it or loathe it, it's a far-from lousy riff on Grand Seiko' schtick, but for £300 - pretty ballsy move - and unlike 95% of the brag-factor brands, they've even bothered to colour-match the date wheels!

This watch is competing with things like the Ch. Ward C63; a watch multiple times more expensive. Both mostly made in China, with similar specs. I'd rather have the Erebus as it doesn't have a bloody trident on the seconds hand.

They do look good, def giving off Seiko Sarb & Omega Aqua Terra vibes....

I like it. Hated the first one they produced. This one really reminds me of my Grand Seiko SBGF019 (though automatic rather than quartz), which is a very versatile watch.

I'm sorely tempted to either try the Aventurine or the flat blue on a jubilee style. But do I really need another watch?


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A welcome and affordable addition to Sports options at least, even though the divers he released were truly dull and uninspiring.

A solid effort even if they are not for me.

Reading other threads I think it's great that SM are allowing other micro brands to use their facilities to design more "original' pieces.
So who is getting one? Or how long do I have to wait for a black enamel to turn up on SC?)

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Originally Posted by earlofsodbury

Really? You call this "safe"?!

https://erebuswatches.com/cdn/shop/f...O-Style_ro.png

Sure the styling is a mite derivative - but that's a lose-lose bet anyway: do something different and the exact same people will complain it's too out there!

Like it or loathe it, it's a far-from lousy riff on Grand Seiko' schtick, but for £300 - pretty ballsy move - and unlike 95% of the brag-factor brands, they've even bothered to colour-match the date wheels!

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I expected the NH36 to be fitted, but no, it’s a Miyota 9015, even better for that price.

Love the purple version.

If anyone wants to make me like a watch, slagging off Cartier isn't the way to go about it, all it does is tell me that we appreciate different things.

Also, chippy af.

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Originally Posted by Der Amf

... Also, chippy af.

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:glee: Pot: meet Kettle...

Pity that its only really a bargain if you are in Australia.

As they are charging the price including Australian Sales Tax on exports, so we pay VAT on top of the Australian tax too. Plus international shipping at cost, with no deduction of the domestic (inclusive) shipping costs.

Clearly making a fatter margin on exports, which puts me off.

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Originally Posted by bmpf

But do I really need another watch?

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Go on, just one more watch.

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Originally Posted by M1011

Go on, just one more watch.

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You always need 1 more watch. [emoji1787]


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How to turn a 'possibly' into a 'no'.

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Originally Posted by JasH

Pity that its only really a bargain if you are in Australia.

As they are charging the price including Australian Sales Tax on exports, so we pay VAT on top of the Australian tax too. Plus international shipping at cost, with no deduction of the domestic (inclusive) shipping costs.

Clearly making a fatter margin on exports, which puts me off.

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An oyster or jubilee on a GS Heritage/SARB case with a GS-alike spiral dial.
Microbrands smashing boundaries.

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Originally Posted by verv

An oyster or jubilee on a GS Heritage/SARB case with a GS-alike spiral dial.
Microbrands smashing boundaries.

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You missed the bit where they were doing it for £300 instead of £3,000...

You also missed the bit where they're pulling themselves up by their bootstraps from nothing instead of using the resources of a decent-sized corporation to keep doing cookie-cutter watches in an ever-changing roster of on-trend Farrow & Ball 'colourways'...

Grand Seiko: famous for...

{"Ah-aah-Zaratsu!" :onthego: - bless me}

...smashing boundaries :encouragement:

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Originally Posted by verv

An oyster or jubilee on a GS Heritage/SARB case with a GS-alike spiral dial.
Microbrands smashing boundaries.

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I know, right? It seems only yesterday that Rolex stunned the watch world as they increased the diameter of the Sub by 0.2mm.
Luxury brands, pushing the design envelope, 200 micrometers at a time.

Erebus though?

Force of darkness, married to his sister, progenitor of death, misery, envy and retribution and the offspring of Chaos.

All a bit Greeks do Jeremy Kyle but even if that's your thing, I just don't like the name of the brand on the watch.

The watch itself is okay and you can tell he's spent time on it to get the details right, but they could do with some discipline. More choices of dials and bracelets also means less focus and crucially for a new entrant, weaker brand identity. There are endless anonymous Chinese offerings in that space. I wish him well nonetheless.

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Originally Posted by Tokyo Tokei

Erebus though?

Force of darkness, married to his sister, progenitor of death, misery, envy and retribution and the offspring of Chaos.

All a bit Greeks do Jeremy Kyle but even if that's your thing, I just don't like the name of the brand on the watch.

The watch itself is okay and you can tell he's spent time on it to get the details right, but they could do with some discipline. More choices of dials and bracelets also means less focus and crucially for a new entrant, weaker brand identity. There are endless anonymous Chinese offerings in that space. I wish him well nonetheless.

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Agreed on all points

Wasn't a huge fan of the name either when I first heard it, all sounded a little generic and LOTR: Dark Lord Erebus of the Northern Realms, or perhaps his horse. But give it a couple of years to embed in the general consciousness and it'll seem fine.

When you consider case thickness, shortness of lug-to-lug, even lug width, bracelet taper, quick release spring bars, on-the-fly adjustment, saphire glass and lume quality, I can't think of a standard gripe he hasn't addressed. It's clearly an enthusiast's watch and I suspect, as an enthusiast, he couldn't resist producing that variety of dials, possibly at the slight expense of profit even. Great for the consumer, though. That said, a similar approach has worked for Zelos and I suspect he very much has their business model in mind, albeit his two offerigs to date don't have the clear design identity of Zelos.

Behind the nice-guy image, I suspect he's a guy who's pretty driven having found his niche / passion in life. Neither watch quite does it for me but I hope he does well, and would bet he will.

I'm very tempted to the orange fume one.

The Origin was nice enough, but looks far too much like a Helm Vanuatu to appeal to me (having one of those already!).

This may not be very radical, but as someone said earlier, the devil is in the detail and there's a lot of detail here for not a lot of money. All the dials are pretty special, the hands are detailed, the polishing isn't simple or, worst still, universal or bead-blasted.

No, the watches aren't avant garde ground breakers, but no-one would buy them if they were.

What they're offering, for those who can see past the You-Tuber/new microbrand/Chinese made means AliExpress sub $100 prejudices is a lot of quality in an attractive watch for a very decent price.

I really need another watch like another hole in my head, so I probably won't buy one, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for a nice used example after September.

Personally, I like Jody and think he and his partner are doing good things with their fledgling brand and I wish them a lot of luck.

M

I like the Ascent. Great detailing and proportions. I wish them well, hope they make the venture fly.

The supply chain, and who is actually making the watches at this price point, has me a little nervous.

Not for me.


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Originally Posted by Tokyo Tokei

Erebus though?

Force of darkness, married to his sister, progenitor of death, misery, envy and retribution and the offspring of Chaos.

All a bit Greeks do Jeremy Kyle but even if that's your thing, I just don't like the name of the brand on the watch.

The watch itself is okay and you can tell he's spent time on it to get the details right, but they could do with some discipline. More choices of dials and bracelets also means less focus and crucially for a new entrant, weaker brand identity. There are endless anonymous Chinese offerings in that space. I wish him well nonetheless.

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Your first point was my first thought. Like the designs, but not the brand name.


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Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli

How to turn a 'possibly' into a 'no'.

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Exactly my own decision making process on it too.

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Originally Posted by boris9

The supply chain, and who is actually making the watches at this price point, has me a little nervous.

Not for me.


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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnQXSIraR4I&t=478s

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Originally Posted by stix

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnQXSIraR4I&t=478s

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I stand corrected.


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Hi

I really like the new Ascent watch: clipped hands, applied indices, blue lume, option for O or J bracelet.

At the price, even with duty I think its a good purchase.

Thanks
deano

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Originally Posted by ColDaspin

Agreed on all points

Wasn't a huge fan of the name either when I first heard it, all sounded a little generic and LOTR: Dark Lord Erebus of the Northern Realms, or perhaps his horse. But give it a couple of years to embed in the general consciousness and it'll seem fine.
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I only recently learned of the full etymology, I first heard of Erebus as one of the Antarctic mountains near Scott’s hut, along with Terror named after the lost ships from an earlier expedition.


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Out of curiosity I bought an unused Origin from a UK Ebay seller. Its been said already that its about the details and overall these impress on this watch. The fit and finish cant be criticised, the bezel is just right, perfect alignment and solid feel. Nice big crown and dial is clear with very good lume. The bracelet feels premium and the on the fly clasp adjustment works well. On my 7 and a qtr inch wrist it sits very well and wears nicely. Whats not to like is that movement, I dont like cheap Seiko movements and would have preferred a Miyota or even China ETA clone - as expected this one arrived with the usual positional variation but had reasonable beat error and responded well to a minor adjustment, now running about +5 secs/day (was about -10 secs when it arrived) it could likely be better but thats good enough for me. Its worth the sub £300 that I paid and is much better than the usual stuff in this price range - with a better movement it would be a top contender below £500 IMO. I forgot to mention that it ships with a two watch travel case, like Eddie does (or did), its well made and finished and unlike most watch boxes can actually be used.
Keith

Starting a new watch brand with some fairly safe designs seems like a good idea. Not everyone is Studio Underdog after all. I think this latest offering is pretty good. Perhaps Erebus will spread its wings with more unique offerings in the future?