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UNDONE Basecamp – A Truly Affordable and Customizable Tool Watch (Review)

UNDONE follows its "accessible bespoke" strategy with a new tool(ish) piece, the Basecamp.

calendar | ic_dehaze_black_24px By Erik Slaven | ic_query_builder_black_24px 7 min read |

UNDONE is a true case study in bespoke. A microbrand to be sure, but one that’s continuing to offer intriguing, customizable mechanical watches at affordable prices. We recently reviewed its Aqua dive watch and customization for that piece was pretty impressive. Multiple case finishes, bezels, over two dozen dial options, with or without date, over 30 hand combinations ensured that you could order exactly what you wanted, right down to the colour of the date disc on the movement. I walked away impressed. The story doesn’t end here, as there’s a new watch following this rather cool strategy. It is named the UNDONE Basecamp and here’s our review of this new watch.

The UNDONE Aqua was clearly a dive watch. The new Basecamp is a bit more versatile. It’s smaller and lighter for starters, and via customization options can act as a field watch or a diver, depending on the bezel (although I’ll touch on the latter further down). Regardless of options, it has a vintage military aesthetic that harkens back to the 1950s and brands like Rolex. This is the third line in UNDONE’s portfolio, following the Urban and Aqua collections, and it’s a unique offering that still maintains the brand’s identity. It’s also an excellent value proposition that sits somewhere between a Seiko 5 and Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. Let’s take a closer look at UNDONE’s latest tool watch.

Background

Founded in 2014 by Michael Young, this emerging brand is all about customization. Prebuilt models are available for each line, but digging in with the sizeable, itemized list of options allows for a piece as unique as you. Young was never impressed by brand labels, believing that true luxury involves a product being tailor-made, whether it’s a suit, piece of furniture or a timepiece. Young restored vintage Rolex watches prior to UNDONE, so he also knows a thing or two about luxury timepieces. The company is based in Hong Kong and, unlike the majority of microbrands, most of the operations are completed in-house. Research and development, component manufacturing and assembly are finished within the brand’s facility, leaving little more than the crystals and movements being outsourced. This commitment to in-house development and production is more in-line with brands from Switzerland and Europe, yet prices are surprisingly reasonable, especially with such a bespoke setup.

UNDONE Aqua Dive Watch automatic, customizable - review
UNDONE’s previous watch, the Aqua, another customizable sports watch

The two previous collections, the Urban/Mystique chronographs and Aqua divers, are very distinct.  The former uses quartz (hybrid) movements, while the latter uses a proven Seiko NH35A automatic. The same Seiko calibre runs the UNDONE Basecamp and while customization options remain aplenty, like the new design itself, they’re toned down a bit. That may be a good thing as the Aqua diver’s options were almost overwhelming. Simplicity is the name of the game with the Basecamp and I think UNDONE found the perfect balance with its latest piece. The watch I have for review is almost exactly as I would’ve ordered, save for a couple of minor details. As I had recommended with the Aqua, don’t be in a rush when designing one online (and perhaps design several variants before committing).

Case and design

The 316L stainless steel case is a comfortable 40mm in diameter and 15mm in height. It’s certainly not ultra-thin but wears slimmer than the height suggests. This is down from the Aqua’s 43.5mm diameter and 16mm height, and the weight is reduced significantly (the Aqua was a hefty tank). The Basecamp is much better suited for daily wear and can go from the boardroom to the hiking trail to a night on the town without skipping a beat.

The reviewed piece has a polished steel case, although either a PVD-coated black or gold finish is also available. A nice chamfer also spans the top edges from lug to lug. The bidirectional bezel is a sterile black ring with a single triangular marker (with lume), although a standard graduated “diver’s” bezel is available as well (starting in May 2019). It rotates silently and smoothly without a ratcheting action and is both tight and precise. The case is rated at 50 metres of water-resistance, making it a questionable choice as a true diver’s watch, but rumour has it that UNDONE tests these to 100 metres and rates them conservatively. The signed screw-down crown, like the Aqua, is a smooth octagon and there isn’t a crown guard this time around.

The crystal has a tall, 3mm dome that contributes to the retro vibe, comprised of LEXAN Polycarbonate instead of sapphire (perhaps explaining the conservative water-resistance rating). What is LEXAN exactly? Well, it’s a polycarbonate thermoplastic found in headlamps and motorcycle helmets with 250 times the impact strength of glass. I do like the vintage look and feel, and the high arch creates cool distortions at angles, but I worry how it will hold up to pits and scratches over time.

The screw-down exhibition caseback is made from sapphire and shows off the Seiko automatic movement, and a personalized image can be printed on the underside of the crystal. Classy and understated, the Basecamp’s vintage-inspired case and domed crystal were two years in the making.

Dial and hands

There is currently only one combination of dial and hands, although customization options will be available in the coming weeks. What we currently have is a matte black dial with vintage tan/brown indices and large Arabic numerals printed at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. Tan Super-LumiNova covers the four numerals and main indices every five minutes, which glow in a bright green. You can also have your initials printed under 12 o’clock (up to three letters/numbers) with the choice of a few different fonts.

The hour hand is a large orange triangle the company proudly admits is inspired by the Rolex Explorer II. It seems fitting given Young’s background with Rolex. There is lume inside the triangle and the minute hand, and the white lollipop seconds hand has a spot of lume in its circle. A date window sits diagonally between 4 and 5 o’clock, and there’s a choice of either a black or white date disc.

Movement

The aforementioned Seiko NH35A automatic runs the show and is UNDONE’s only automatic calibre, also powering the Aqua series. It has 24 jewels, beats at 21,600vph (3Hz) with a 40-hour power reserve. It includes shock-resistance for the balance and functions include central hours, minutes, hacking seconds and date. This well-proven workhorse is reliable, easily serviced and an affordable alternative to off-the-shelf Swiss movements.

Its rated accuracy is within 20 to 40 seconds per day, although my watch averaged only 15 seconds fast per day over a two week period. It’s certainly not a chronometer, but more than accurate enough for most wearers and generally comparable to a standard grade ETA automatic (accurate to within 30 seconds per day).

Strap

My piece is fitted with a 20mm Cordura olive green NATO strap with a matte steel buckle and loops, and orange and black are also available specifically for the Basecamp. If there’s one thing I don’t like about the watch, it’s this strap – but to be fair with UNDONE, I don’t like NATO straps in general… However, this strap does fit the overall aesthetic well and is water/corrosion-resistant and easily removed. UNDONE has a wide variety of 20mm straps available with dozens to choose from when ordering, so this is really a non-issue.

Conclusion

I’ve been fortunate enough to wear watches from all three of UNDONE’s collections and the new Basecamp is definitely my favourite. I really enjoyed reviewing the Aqua diver, but it was a heavy, purposeful beast that favoured serious water adventures over daily wear. This one is an excellent everyday piece with a cool, vintage style and easy 40mm diameter. Notwithstanding my concerns about long-term durability, the high-domed LEXAN Polycarbonate crystal is awesome in person and complements the tool-ish military vibe perfectly. There are design cues from Rolex and Blancpain (the unmarked bezel mimics a vintage Fifty Fathoms for combat divers), but these are simple nods and not shameless copies. The Basecamp is its own unique piece and a cool, affordable addition to UNDONE’s lineup.

The UNDONE Basecamp starts at only USD 295 and adding initials to the dial or an image to the rear sapphire glass adds USD 20 for each. That’s a real value proposition for such a customizable piece with a proven Seiko automatic and unique high-domed crystal, and the build quality is great for the price. The Basecamp ships worldwide for free within 7-10 business days, comes with a one-year warranty and has a 14-day return window. For more information and to place an order, visit www.undone.com/hk.

https://mowa.dev/review-undone-basecamp-affordable-customizable-tool-watch-price/

9 responses

  1. Great watch and thankfully it will also be available without a date window.

  2. Very similar ethos to Belfast based micro-brand Enoksen. In fact same movement is used. Enoksen just makes quality, robust tool watches affordable…what really makes them stand out for me is that they refuse to put any branding on their watches. Check them out http://www.enoksenwatches.com

  3. This is almost perfect. Sandblast or brush the case, give it a solid case-back and get rid of the date complication and it IS the perfect field watch. As for the crystal, I personally have no doubts about durability. This is what Timex should be producing.

  4. Oh and change the crown to a nicely knurled one.
    🙂

  5. just got mine today. probably one of the best vintage pre-diver style sport watches i’ve seen. of course i wish it were more than 50 meters, and i’d love a Swiss movement in it just because i have so many NH35’s, but i can’t think of too many watches that have a better look and sport functionality. per the non-racheting pilot style dual-direction bezel, at first i thought ‘oh, too bad’. i do love racheting bezels. but the pressure on this is xlnt (not kinda wishywashy like too many vostoks). it holds very firmly, but has a nice smooth glide to it.

    the bezel is classic and great, and the high impact super dome crystal is like going back to the 50s (i know, i have my Dad’s old 1954 eternamatic).

    the only watch i could go more for is the new retro certina ph200, which this very much has a kindred spirit with. some day i’ll get the certina, but until then, this is one of the nicest, fun pieces i have.

  6. i apparently left the last comment here about 7 months ago and feel it’s worth following up after that time.

    as stated in my first comment, this watch was reminiscent of what i really hankered for, which was the certina ph200. i did get that watch and it is phenomenal. and definitely a touchstone from the 60s for much of what the basecamp is/does, altho there are clearly other influences.

    for the longest time after getting the certina ph200 i put the basecamp aside, viewing it as a precursor to my getting what i really wanted, and thus had no hankering to wear it.

    as time went on i kept seeing my basecamp sitting there, looking very cool. i got my fill of the wondrous certina ph200, and went on to wear my other pieces. then a week ago i picked up the basecamp, put it on, and finally appreciated it for what it is unto itself. it really isn’t any other watch, despite it’s marvelous blend of influences. it is also light, easy on the wrist, and super nice looking.

    i now have no problem appreciating it and wanting to wear it for itself. it had been sitting on my desk and having a problem with fruit flies, i’d often spray them out of the air. my watches were pretty well covered up, and i used ecological plant oil spray, so there was never a problem with my watches as they wiped clean. HOWever…

    i found the natural plant oil, ecologically sound spray had, over time, left marks on the lexan crystal and black bezel insert.

    i tried to wipe it off with moisture and zilch. the crystal was now frosted and the black lexan bezel had spots of frosted areas and a couple of what look like pits from micro spray droplets.

    at some point i was using some crystal polish on something and thought, why not try that. well, that was the key for the crystal, which polished back to new in no time.

    the bezel insert on the other hand took more effort with the crystal polish. i don’t want to use anything harsher so as not to polish the top of the steel actual bezel. after a few polishes most of the marks on the insert have muted quite a bit.

    for a moment i liked the ‘tropical’ quality of the bezel, as it not only looked as if designed in the 50s, but manufactured then too. still, i wanted it as spiffed as the crystal and continued polishing. i’ve got it mostly back, and hope to spot polish with a toothpick wrapped in microfiber cloth, and crystal polish, to get the small pits out.

    i did contact Michael Young to see if i could buy the other bezel, the one with the numbers on it, since it wasn’t available when i originally ordered, but he said he was still waiting for it. disappointingly, he wrote that i couldn’t just remove the insert myself by prying it up, as on other divers, but the entire bezel/bezel insert unit had to come off to get the insert out.

    while generously offering to do that for me, i did not want to have to send my watch back to Hong Kong to do this. i hope he misunderstood me, and that something as common as replacing a bezel insert does not involve removing the entire crystal and bezel unit.

    that aside, i think this is an amazing and truly enjoyable watch in the purest sense, and quite surprisingly should over time become a little microbrand collectible.

  7. Mine scratched badly after 4 days. The crystal is garbage.

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