SēL D42T Initial Impressions:
I will start out by saying this is my first watch review in all of the years of this insane hobby so be gentle[emoji4]. This watch I am reviewing is the SēL D42T, a new model from this small US watch manufacturing company. To me this is a culmination of a hobby that has spanned about 12 years – from a one in one out rule (blown after two years in) to chasing rare Doxas incessantly, and rarely wearing them when I got one. I have owned a lot of different micro brand watches and have enjoyed all of them (Helson, BaliHai, Benarus, Boschett, H2O, etc.) along with a number of Sinns and Doxas. While I never had more than 7-10 at a time, I never seemed completely satisfied with what I had (with the exception of a few – Sinn UXs and a few of my Doxas), probably due to my WIS tendencies. My current collection includes an Omega PO my father gave me and a carbon H2O.
Back in December I stumbled on SēL Instruments after reading a review of their 48mm Omnidiver titanium dive watch on Oceantime. I started digging for more information and found a great review by the Great_Mazinger on WUS (who also runs timetoblogwatches.com). The watch sounded like everything I wanted – Grade 5 Ti, amazing engineering and otherwise bombproof manufacturing – all parts made in house (except for the movements) out of a small company in Arizona. While the Omnidiver is a wearable size, it was a little bigger than I would normally wear at 48mm (15mm case thickness), but doable. After poking around the SēL website (selinstrument.com), I noticed they were also making a smaller version called the D42 – a 42mm case with a 43mm bezel. I then reached out to Andrew – the owner and engineer behind the brand.
Before I get into the watch specs and review, I think it is important to talk about Andrew. He started SēL after getting tired of his watches breaking while working as an independent contractor and SAR medic, and decided he could build a better tool watch. The company was started in 2016. I am not going to lie, these are expensive watches (mid 4K for the D42 and close to 6K or more for the Omnidiver) so this would be the most I have spent on a watch in my collecting history. Before I pre-ordered, I peppered Andrew with questions about the watches - all were quickly answered, usually within a minute of sending it. His responsiveness to my never-ending questions sealed the decision to get one. Since then, I have only been more confident in my decision based on his amazing commitment to customer service – I really cannot say enough about that – it has exceeded any other experience in my watch buying hobby (or any other major purchase for that matter). While I am sure it can be tough to answer the many PMs and emails he gets, he seems to always do it with a smile on his face, even when faced with some of the setbacks he dealt with this year during the development and manufacturing of these watches. He listens to customers and made some changes to the watches based on feedback during development (tweaks to dial design, hand design, etc.) Based on his commitment to customer service, he had a lifetime customer in me even before I received the watch and even more so now - buy the company.
OK on to the watch finally[emoji4]
As I mentioned, the D42T is a brand-new model this year and is essentially a smaller version of the Omnidiver.
For the 42s, there were options for optional case back engraving, bezel design (full knurl, no knurl or partial knurl – I chose the partial), dial and bezel colors and hand colors. I chose the blue/blue combo, fluorescent yellow second and minute hand with a white hour hand (hands also made in house). For the case back, I asked for a few custom engravings (more on that later). I also separately ordered a custom leather strap with lug adapters and a zulu (the lug adapters allow for easy strap changes for his lug design). To change straps, undo the 4 lug screws (Allen wrenches included), connect the new strap with adapters and good to go. There is not an adapter for isofrane style straps yet but they are planned.
Here are a few unboxing photos – the watch comes in a wood box (made in the US – for every box they make, they plant a tree and include a code to see where that tree was planted - a very nice touch) with recycled foam inserts. Shipped via registered USPS (arrived in 2 days from AZ).
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So far in the few days I have had this, it has exceeded even my highest expectations. From the workmanship to the engineering, I have to say it is well worth the cost for me. The bezel action is the best I have ever seen on any watch I have owned – period. No play, great feeling and the partial knurling on the bezel is very grippy, even with gloves on. The lume (a proprietary in-house blend) seems to be very long lasting and bright and should satisfy even the most serious lume fans. The height and weight are perfect – not too tall or bulky and the lug to lug is great for small to medium wrist sizes (for reference I have a 7.25 wrist and typically wear a 44mm watch). The weight for a Ti watch is great. I have had a few and this hits the sweet spot – light but not too light. If you leave the crown out accidently - it is still water resistant.
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Lume - lasts all night easily.
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Now to the bracelet – I have never been much of a bracelet person and tend to wear my watches on Isofranes, Erika’s or natos, usually within a day of receiving it. This one has been on since I got it. Before the watch ships, Andrew sends a wrist measurement tool via email which you cut out to measure your wrist. Once you email that back, he pre-sizes the bracelet for you so when you get it there is no messing around to size it – a nice touch. This bracelet is an engineering marvel which took 6 months to develop – it is also amazingly comfortable – no pinching, not heavy and easy to adjust. I am now a bracelet fan. The clasp is a work of art and allows for very fine tuning of fit using his wave lock clasp.
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As I mentioned earlier, there were options for the case back design. I was able to pick my serial number and for a nominal fee he offered to engrave other personal things (important dates, etc.) on the case back (which I did). Probably the coolest thing was the custom case back design I received. Due to some delays with the watch, Andrew offered to engrave all case backs for the 42s with a cool diver scene if you wanted (for free - usually a higher upcharge). Since I don’t dive, I asked if he could change mine to humpback whale – literally later that day, I had a design graphic to review. I asked for a small tweak, and it was done. And it turned out amazing. Again, the small things he does that made the experience very special. I don’t believe he is doing these for the new Omnidivers but I am glad I was able to get one.
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So if you are on the fence, I would highly recommend one of Andrew’s watches - he has a few D42s in the inventory and is currently making the new Omnidiver along with a Ti field watch which will be priced in the mid 2K range. He also makes an aluminum watch called the OptX which uses an exoskeleton case and movement insert. He is very active on Instagram and will respond very quickly to any questions. He also has some cool videos showing the abuse he puts his watch through to show how well they hold up (drop onto rocks, hammer a nail into wood (crystal and caseback versions), golf club hit, and many more.
Djpharoah, a member here, has an Omnidiver Mk1 and is waiting for his new Mk2s. In the meantime, he has done a great series of youtube videos on his watch which explain some of the features. I would urge you to check them out. His channel is Evolving Time and videos are linked below
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 1 Design & Specs - YouTube
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 2 - The Bracelet - YouTube
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 3 - The Clasp - YouTube
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 4 - Lume - YouTube
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 5 - Bezel - YouTube
Happy to answer any questions you might have
Best
Dan
I will start out by saying this is my first watch review in all of the years of this insane hobby so be gentle[emoji4]. This watch I am reviewing is the SēL D42T, a new model from this small US watch manufacturing company. To me this is a culmination of a hobby that has spanned about 12 years – from a one in one out rule (blown after two years in) to chasing rare Doxas incessantly, and rarely wearing them when I got one. I have owned a lot of different micro brand watches and have enjoyed all of them (Helson, BaliHai, Benarus, Boschett, H2O, etc.) along with a number of Sinns and Doxas. While I never had more than 7-10 at a time, I never seemed completely satisfied with what I had (with the exception of a few – Sinn UXs and a few of my Doxas), probably due to my WIS tendencies. My current collection includes an Omega PO my father gave me and a carbon H2O.
Back in December I stumbled on SēL Instruments after reading a review of their 48mm Omnidiver titanium dive watch on Oceantime. I started digging for more information and found a great review by the Great_Mazinger on WUS (who also runs timetoblogwatches.com). The watch sounded like everything I wanted – Grade 5 Ti, amazing engineering and otherwise bombproof manufacturing – all parts made in house (except for the movements) out of a small company in Arizona. While the Omnidiver is a wearable size, it was a little bigger than I would normally wear at 48mm (15mm case thickness), but doable. After poking around the SēL website (selinstrument.com), I noticed they were also making a smaller version called the D42 – a 42mm case with a 43mm bezel. I then reached out to Andrew – the owner and engineer behind the brand.
Before I get into the watch specs and review, I think it is important to talk about Andrew. He started SēL after getting tired of his watches breaking while working as an independent contractor and SAR medic, and decided he could build a better tool watch. The company was started in 2016. I am not going to lie, these are expensive watches (mid 4K for the D42 and close to 6K or more for the Omnidiver) so this would be the most I have spent on a watch in my collecting history. Before I pre-ordered, I peppered Andrew with questions about the watches - all were quickly answered, usually within a minute of sending it. His responsiveness to my never-ending questions sealed the decision to get one. Since then, I have only been more confident in my decision based on his amazing commitment to customer service – I really cannot say enough about that – it has exceeded any other experience in my watch buying hobby (or any other major purchase for that matter). While I am sure it can be tough to answer the many PMs and emails he gets, he seems to always do it with a smile on his face, even when faced with some of the setbacks he dealt with this year during the development and manufacturing of these watches. He listens to customers and made some changes to the watches based on feedback during development (tweaks to dial design, hand design, etc.) Based on his commitment to customer service, he had a lifetime customer in me even before I received the watch and even more so now - buy the company.
OK on to the watch finally[emoji4]
As I mentioned, the D42T is a brand-new model this year and is essentially a smaller version of the Omnidiver.
- Grade 5 Titanium case, bracelet and other parts – all made in house in the US by Andrew
- 42mm case, 43.2mm bezel and 13.5mm case height
- 5100-meter water resistance (because why not[emoji4])
- Ball bearing bezel with dual piston controlled unidirectional indexing
- 6 O’clock crown (re-designed for the D42 and MK2 Omnidiver)
- Very unique Ti bracelet with amazing Wavelock clasp
- Swiss ETA HAQ or Swiss auto and date or no date option
- 135 grams on the bracelet (about 100 on a Zulu)
For the 42s, there were options for optional case back engraving, bezel design (full knurl, no knurl or partial knurl – I chose the partial), dial and bezel colors and hand colors. I chose the blue/blue combo, fluorescent yellow second and minute hand with a white hour hand (hands also made in house). For the case back, I asked for a few custom engravings (more on that later). I also separately ordered a custom leather strap with lug adapters and a zulu (the lug adapters allow for easy strap changes for his lug design). To change straps, undo the 4 lug screws (Allen wrenches included), connect the new strap with adapters and good to go. There is not an adapter for isofrane style straps yet but they are planned.
Here are a few unboxing photos – the watch comes in a wood box (made in the US – for every box they make, they plant a tree and include a code to see where that tree was planted - a very nice touch) with recycled foam inserts. Shipped via registered USPS (arrived in 2 days from AZ).
So far in the few days I have had this, it has exceeded even my highest expectations. From the workmanship to the engineering, I have to say it is well worth the cost for me. The bezel action is the best I have ever seen on any watch I have owned – period. No play, great feeling and the partial knurling on the bezel is very grippy, even with gloves on. The lume (a proprietary in-house blend) seems to be very long lasting and bright and should satisfy even the most serious lume fans. The height and weight are perfect – not too tall or bulky and the lug to lug is great for small to medium wrist sizes (for reference I have a 7.25 wrist and typically wear a 44mm watch). The weight for a Ti watch is great. I have had a few and this hits the sweet spot – light but not too light. If you leave the crown out accidently - it is still water resistant.
Lume - lasts all night easily.
Now to the bracelet – I have never been much of a bracelet person and tend to wear my watches on Isofranes, Erika’s or natos, usually within a day of receiving it. This one has been on since I got it. Before the watch ships, Andrew sends a wrist measurement tool via email which you cut out to measure your wrist. Once you email that back, he pre-sizes the bracelet for you so when you get it there is no messing around to size it – a nice touch. This bracelet is an engineering marvel which took 6 months to develop – it is also amazingly comfortable – no pinching, not heavy and easy to adjust. I am now a bracelet fan. The clasp is a work of art and allows for very fine tuning of fit using his wave lock clasp.
As I mentioned earlier, there were options for the case back design. I was able to pick my serial number and for a nominal fee he offered to engrave other personal things (important dates, etc.) on the case back (which I did). Probably the coolest thing was the custom case back design I received. Due to some delays with the watch, Andrew offered to engrave all case backs for the 42s with a cool diver scene if you wanted (for free - usually a higher upcharge). Since I don’t dive, I asked if he could change mine to humpback whale – literally later that day, I had a design graphic to review. I asked for a small tweak, and it was done. And it turned out amazing. Again, the small things he does that made the experience very special. I don’t believe he is doing these for the new Omnidivers but I am glad I was able to get one.
So if you are on the fence, I would highly recommend one of Andrew’s watches - he has a few D42s in the inventory and is currently making the new Omnidiver along with a Ti field watch which will be priced in the mid 2K range. He also makes an aluminum watch called the OptX which uses an exoskeleton case and movement insert. He is very active on Instagram and will respond very quickly to any questions. He also has some cool videos showing the abuse he puts his watch through to show how well they hold up (drop onto rocks, hammer a nail into wood (crystal and caseback versions), golf club hit, and many more.
Djpharoah, a member here, has an Omnidiver Mk1 and is waiting for his new Mk2s. In the meantime, he has done a great series of youtube videos on his watch which explain some of the features. I would urge you to check them out. His channel is Evolving Time and videos are linked below
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 1 Design & Specs - YouTube
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 2 - The Bracelet - YouTube
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 3 - The Clasp - YouTube
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 4 - Lume - YouTube
SeL Omnidiver MK1 || Part 5 - Bezel - YouTube
Happy to answer any questions you might have
Best
Dan
. 
