Hands-On With The Titoni Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition

I was surprised when I was first presented with the new Titoni Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition. The first impression it gave me was that it’s a stealthy piece, but the bright orange dial is definitely there to make anyone think otherwise. When I thought about that in relation to the watch’s name, I think Titoni did a very clever job choosing the name to go with the aesthetic. Usually, when I think of a color-blocking watch, I think of bright colors all over. But this Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition uses a different way to bring the concept to life. It only uses its bright orange dial to draw attention. And it does it well.

Dive watches with an orange dial are somewhat of an acquired taste. They have been part of the world of dive watches for a long time. The Doxa Sub 300 is famous for its orange dial in combination with its characteristic case shape. Other brands like Seiko, TAG Heuer, and Breitling are also known to have released some instantly recognizable dive watches with orange dials. Now, in all honesty, an orange dial would never be my first pick. I prefer orange more as an accent color. Think of the famous Omega PloProf as a good example. Orange contrasts very nicely with black and matches well with white. So, could this new Seascoper change my opinion on orange dials? Time to find out.

The Titoni Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition

The Color Block Edition is the second model of the Seascoper 300 series that comes with a sleek-looking black case. The first was the Seascoper 300 Black Edition, which Gerard reviewed a few months back. I really liked that all-black version as it simply looks cool — even cooler than the regular stainless steel version that I reviewed last year and found quite impressive. Would I pick it over the stainless steel version, though? Call me traditional, but I would go for the regular version, unlike Gerard, who preferred the black DLC coating of the Black Edition.

So, where does this Color Block Edition fit in? As Gerard already mentioned, the Black Edition and the Color Block Edition can be seen as a set of two similar releases. Essentially, only the dial color is different. On top of that, this new Color Block Edition comes in a very limited run of only 100 pieces, whereas the Black Edition was a limited edition with a run of 500 pieces. Still, the overall story remains the same.

An impressive set of specs

Let’s remind ourselves of some basic specs. The watch comes with a 42mm stainless steel case that is 12.55mm thick and 52mm from lug to lug. The 300m-water-resistant case has a black DLC coating that gives this Seascoper 300 its stealthy presence. Sizable crown guards protect the screw-down crown on the right side of the case, and the black case is paired with a shiny black ceramic bezel insert with light gray markings. The watch comes with a flat sapphire crystal with an AR coating on both sides.

As I mentioned in my review of the regular stainless steel version of the Seascoper 300, the case shape is reminscent of the Rolex Super Case of the previous-generation Submariner. It’s a case shape that I like and is very comfortable on the wrist. While not necessarily original, it provides a very good canvas for Titoni to come up with different versions. Overall, the proportions of the case are a great fit, although the substantial lug-to-lug might prove to be too big for smaller wrists.

The bright orange dial of the Color Block Edition

The bright orange enameled dial pops. It is nice and vibrant and is contrasted by applied hour markers with stark white lume. The markers feature black edges and match the black minute track and black hands, which are also filled with white lume that lights up blue in the dark. The date window at 3 o’clock reveals a white date disc with black printing. The execution matches the markers perfectly and reveals a great eye for detail. This is a nice exemption in a world where we tend to love seeing the date disc’s color match the main tone of the dial.

In my review of the stainless steel version of the Seascoper 300, I mentioned the font used for the text on the lower part of the dial. The modern font ensures that the text forms a perfect block, but it also affects readability. With this orange and black combo, it works a lot better. The contrast is greater, making it easier to read. While I would love to see a font with more elegance and emotion, it works here. The Titoni word mark is still a bit too big, in my opinion. By making it a bit smaller, I believe that the dial would look substantially more refined. But overall, the layout works well, and the color combination ensures that the dial pops and the different elements are easy to read.

A dial and rubber strap that ooze quality

If we zoom in on the dial, you will see the applied Titoni logo executed in matte black. It matches the matte black grainy texture of the hands quite nicely. It is more proof that Titoni is keen on getting the small details right. The handset has a lot of character, making the time easy to read. However, I can’t stop thinking about what a solid/non-skeletonized set of hands would look like. It’s all a matter of personal taste, and I consider it a good thing to have those thoughts. It proves that Titoni has made a watch design that I like, and these details could make it a watch that I love.

The Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition has a comfortable black rubber strap and a black DLC folding clasp. As I have come to know from Titoni, the quality of the strap and the clasp is really good. This is something that can be said of the watch overall. Titoni makes watches that really stand out in terms of quality. The Seascoper 300 series is among the absolute best in class under €2K when it comes to build quality and finishing. For the Color Block Edition, this is no different.

A COSC-certified Sellita SW200-1

Inside the black case, as for all the Seascoper 300 models, Titoni equips the watch with a COSC-certified version of the Sellita SW200-1. The automatic movement operates at a 28,800vph frequency, has 26 jewels, and delivers roughly 40 hours of power reserve. It is hidden behind a black DLC case back that has the same porthole design as the stainless steel version. But as this is a limited edition of 100 pieces, the center of the porthole features the text “Limited Edition – One Out Of One Hundred.”

As it turns out, all of the hundred watches feature the same text. So you will not buy a numbered edition but simply a limited edition without a unique number. I am on the fence about whether I would want a unique numbered edition. I think it is a nice detail, but it will only bother me with specific watches that are meaningful to me. So, for a watch like this Seascoper 300, I probably would be fine with the solution the brand has chosen. But I can understand if people are not so happy with it.

The Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition on the wrist

I expected a lot from wearing this Seascoper 300. As I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the stainless steel version, I was looking forward to wearing the Color Block Edition too. And again, the Seascoper 300 did not disappoint. The proportions of the watch fit me perfectly. It just sits super comfortably on my wrist, and it makes wearing the watch an absolute joy. The bezel action feels crisp and solid, which is more proof of the incredible quality.

And on the wrist, you will also feel how well made the watch is. The clasp is easy to adjust to fit your wrist and closes with a firm click. The rubber strap is comfortable but sturdy enough to balance the watch on your wrist perfectly. On the wrist, you will also see that all the info you need is easy to read. The bright orange dial provides more contrast compared to the all-black version and is, therefore, slightly more practical. That said, it’s all in the details because the black-dial version has no flaws when it comes to readability.

Final thoughts on the Titoni Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition

Overall, the experience with the Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition was a very good one. It was like meeting an old friend and being reminded why you like him so much. I have a soft spot for the Seascoper 300 despite it not being overly original in its design or my wanting to see some details executed differently. But what you get for the €1,700 that this Color Block Edition costs is an incredibly well-made and good-looking watch. On top of that, I think the Seascoper line is very hard to beat in terms of value for money.

Do I like this black and orange Color Block Edition better than the all-black version? I have to say that the stealthy look of the Black Edition appeals to me a bit more. But I do like the concept of an all-black watch with a bright orange dial, and when it comes to the Seascoper 300, there is no going wrong. There is only the choice of your preferred version. While mine is the stainless steel version on a bracelet, I am sure there are easily 100 people who would love to add this Seascoper 300 Color Block Edition to their collection.

For more information, visit the official Titoni website.

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