Aqua Terra Meets Grand Seiko for $350 - Erebus Ascent Review

Puple helix on a jubilee actually looks amazing.. I just worry that I have practically no clothes that would match that colour.
The thing that makes it difficult for me to choose is that I already have a watch to fill the shoes of "the blue watch" and in fact, two watches that have black dials. (Admittedly, one of them is the golden version of the Casio Duro, which also functions as my "golden" watch.
Probably should go for white at this point, but that doesn't come in helix pattern. Argh, so many options!

I admire the effort, but haven't felt a wow factor with either of their designs. Plus they are pricing them significantly more than San Martin, and I'm not sure that's justified.

I think they played it safe again but I honestly feel this is a much better timepiece than their first model. I really like this one. Another top review as always Dave.

I like it, there will be one, or two, on my wrist. A white enamel on J style and probably an aventurine on O style. 😎

Me gustan , pero me dan miedo las aduanas españolas

So is this watch currently available or not?

It's not clear to me if this watch is available now or not

I can’t decide between the black enamel and the green malachite.

Looks like another winner. I'm a fan of purple dials, but that green fume looks so elegant and smooth, I think I'll go with that one. Or black enamel. I still don't have a simple black watch.

I am so tired of seeing you reviewers hawking watches for receiving a promotional consideration! That is BS that because a FREE WATCH is the ONLY consideration, that there is zero undue influence. You completely abdicated on your integrity on "your buddy" Jody's original watch by claiming "not a dive watch enthusiast". This kept you from HONEST discussion about the complete lack of creativity or distinction compared with a hundred other watch brands in the same space. You (and others like Jody himself) need to stop with the "completely objective" label for yourselves. There is absolutely no way that you are providing a credible and honest review of this watch given your consideration. I am becoming completely disgusted with you (and Jody) and others who insist on taking this route to marketing a product. SInce when is $350 a gigantic value for a bunch of parts designed/created by others and put in package??!! This is shameful and you need to reconsider your approach to "reviewing" watches.

Nice Watch, good value with great specs. The only thing missing for me is a Display / Exhibition Case-Back (with that is a go).

Great review Dave your content and video is excellent as usual. Maybe u missed the Power Reserve on the Miyota 9015 ? (42hrd).

My first impression is a budget version of a Chris Ward Sealander, including the quick adjust clasp. Hard to say on dial choice, but I think first would be the sparkly one, and last would be the spirals.

Thanks for the review. With a wristwatch, it is pretty difficult these days to offer anything "original". With this watch, Erebus has taken design elements from high end watch brands and then added their own unique dials. I love that purple helix design and am probably going to order one.

I always fail to see the correlation about this watch not being "finished as well as luxury brands", or being as "unique as luxury brands", or having a "Swiss movement like luxury brands". Simple reality, these watches are not positioned to complete with luxury brands so comparing them on any level seems silly to me. That of course is a great thing though for people like me who don't have the cash for a luxury brand but would like something far superior to a China brand or the like. I just wish Jodie had simply gone with that beautiful applied logo and forgone the Erebus text.

I intend to order one on a 'J' band, but the dial options have confounded me thus far. Not a bad problem to have.

The Blue helix is the clear winner

I really dig it

It was so hard to decide but I went for the aventurine with the O bracelet and the black leather strap pack. I am very very close to ordering a white enamel also! 😅

As usual, great review, great shots and sensible comments. Keep it up!

This watch is getting a lot of buzz, thanks to the great reviewers we are fortunate to have. Lots of good comments here, but I will add my take on a couple of things people are saying. First, regarding originality, I agree with those who say it is very difficult to execute a design that is original. Most all designs are derivative. Some are blatant copies, but pretty much anything you can do with a face and a few hands has already been accomplished. To me, the art is to blend existing things into something special, if not unique. Something that when you see it, you pause, and then look at it again. It just "looks right". And I believe Erebus nailed it here.
Regarding choices, it is old conundrum of how many are too many and how many are too few. Like the restaurant with 8 pages of entrees, it becomes confusing. However, there are also times when the choices seem wanting. I am with those who are having a hard time deciding. For example, I love green dials, and here there are three options if you choose to go with that color.
In the end, it is a tremendous offering, both in style and value, and a marked improvement over their debut. The real question is where will they go from here? If they improve yet again, it will really be something! I wish them luck!

Wondering if I should get this watch, a Citizen Tsuyosa small seconds or a Tissot PRX. I know they are all different but if you guys had to pick one watch to wear everyday which one would you choose ?

The fume green is a gorgeous watch.

Exhibition case back would have been great

Moans and niggles though??

These are beautiful, and they somehow knew I'm a sucker for green dials haha.

Glad you review it. To small for me. I buy two if they make it in 41-43. Sorry i can't buy it...🙁

Pastor Dave, the word Erebus means Hades. Why are you reviewing this?

Erebus, in Greek religion, the god of a dark region of the underworld and the personification of darkness.

Seems like a weird name choice and I think we should get a statement from Jody on it.

I will never buy a watch with Miyota movement. If they plan to make it cheap let it be at least Sellita

Very nice watches absolutely terrible name .Why anyone would name themselves after a God of the Underworld and the personification of darkness is beyond me .

What i miss are two things:
1) A NoDate Version with a Miyota 9039
2) A Blue Fumé dial like the green one...
So maybe we see this in the future? Nobody knows...

For $350 you can buy yourself a really nice glycine combat sub or dress watch from ashford or jomashop. There is some really tough competition at this price point and me personally I’d go with the glycine or a tissot at this price point . To me it just makes sense to buy a really nice watch from a tried and true company that’s been around for a very long time. And I’d rather have a selita or eta Swiss made automatic movement over a miyota nine thousand series movement. The rotor weight and instant date change are just way better in a selita or eta movement over a miyota nine thousand series movement where the date change takes like half a day to flip over and isn’t instant.

Great shots in this review, revealing the absolutely awful finishing!! I have a similarly priced Citizen nb1050 and the polish is leagues better than that pockmarked polishing. I was close to buying the green fumé as I love the design and features, but that finish is giving me second thoughts

This watch is a good alternative to the Tissot gentleman.

wow I waited for my birthday to purchase it and as of yesterday it wasnt sold out... I go to purchase it today and looks like im saving $429+

If only these Erebus watches had a Tudor Kenesis movement!

If it were not for the brand name and what it means (which is demonic), I would have purchased three watches from this brand. However, I am a Christian and I could never own this brand. as much as I like the product. Did you guys not take that into consideration when choosing your brand? The brans name will be avoided by hundreds, if not thousands of potential buyers simply because of your poor choice of brand name. The name represents demonic gates of hell, which Christians will never go along with. You may have some luck with the progressive left, however they are more likely to not wear watches and depend on their apple watches. You really need to talk to your marketing consultants; they did not do a good job. Sad, because although I love your watch designs, I can never purchase the brand to wear on my wrist simply because of the name. So please reconsider your brand name. Not very well thought out. Or, maybe thats what you wanted?

Hey Dave, have you thought of doing a video on shopping for watches while visiting Japan? I'm planning a visit for the Osaka Expo next year and is particularly interested in Japanese microbrands.

You showed the two dial options that I was torn between...the black enamel and the green fumé. Ultimately, I decided on the clean classic black enamel and placed an order last week. The Ascent just ticks all of my boxes and all for a very reasonable price.

Be interested to see how you find your production Ascent and which colour you choose. Mine just arrived today a few hours ago and I'm happily checking it out.

Received by Blue Helix with J style bracelet yesterday . Imported to uk via DHL when smoothly and cost me £72, VAT £61 and DHL fee £11 but no import fee.
Initial impression very good ( apart from one issue) , the Case is very nice and well finished, bracelet very good quality, the dial hands and indices really are of a very high quality and look real class. The movement seems quite accurate and runs about +6 to 7 secs on initial tests.
The issue I have is the date numbers in the date frame are not centred and sit towards the right o f the frame . The date numbers look to touch the right side with a gap to the left. I know the date frame is not huge but it’s very noticeable. It’s a huge pity because I love the watch but know this error will bug me. From my limited knowledge the date disc sits in notches on the movement and may not be adjustable ie it’s made off centre on the actual disc .
Will I return, well I’m not sure I can bear the return process customs and return postal costs . If it was a Christopher Ward I would have returned for a new watch being a UK resident it would be simple.
I’ve owned 5 San Martins and Similar quality Ali Express watches and the quality control on these was on the whole very good.
Concluding a very nice well designed watch of a quality exceeding the cost but spoiled by quality control mistakes.

Fantastic Review!! Mine is on way to uk should have it on 16th Sept.😂

i think they nailed it,a very nice design,very balanced . an exhibition case back would've been great tho

How I regret not buying the sarb

Great video

It seems like San Martin type or made by them! I wonder why people buy from these micro brands when San Martin makes better watch at this price point.

I love the purple one

HI Dave, factory has commented that all slight dial perfections will be erased on production units when final case moulds are created. Great film work on the Ascent!