Creativeness is on the coronary heart of any good spy story or thriller, and MKII appears to know that properly; with their newest launch, the Fulcrum 39, they’ve crafted a watch match for a speculative undercover mission within the Seventies. A diver-style piece that favors practicality and sophistication over extra visually militarized counterparts, the Fulcrum 39 is designed to convey MKII’s “imaginative and prescient of the right instrument watch”.
The Fulcrum 39 is a revised and sized-down successor to MKII’s Fulcrum, initially launched in 2013. Aptly named for its discreet 39.50mm case dimension, the Fulcrum 39 is a watch that might have been made for army and covert ops; MKII has crafted a form of horological fiction with the watch’s design and heritage. Whereas primarily impressed by timepieces issued to the US Navy within the Vietnam Battle period, the Fulcrum 39 additionally tags in components of extra civilian-oriented designs, therefore the smaller case dimension and understated look. The concept of a watch with a grounded but fictional background is exclusive and lends an air of hushed intrigue to the Fulcrum 39 that helps elevate it from simply one other dive watch to a really purposeful gear piece for a theoretical (or actual) journey.
With all these stylistic options in thoughts, the Fulcrum 39 is unmistakably a instrument watch. It totes a 120-click unidirectional bezel, obtainable in both 12-hour or 60-minute diver configurations, maximizing its utility as a dive watch—notably when paired with its 200m water resistance. The bezel inlay is anodized aluminum, which calls to thoughts ruggedness over pure model, although the black-on-black bezel and dial combo, white numerals and printing particulars, and bead-blasted 316L stainless-steel case make for a good-looking and timeless look. The doubled-domed crystal, AR-coated on the inside, dual-wields the watch’s classic inspiration and tough-built aspirations.
The 20mm lug width permits for straightforward strap-swapping, although the Fulcrum 39 comes with a number of strap choices. A fast-release fully-articulated stainless-steel bracelet with a NodeX extension clasp is out there, as is a pure rubber dive strap that tapers from 20mm on the lugs to 18mm on the buckle. The third possibility is a Nytex Sort I-M2 general-purpose strap created in reference to the MIL-S-46383, a mil-spec 1960’s dive strap. It options woven ribbed building, 2 fixed-position stainless-steel finish retains, and a stainless-steel buckle with a shoulderless strap pin attachment. Arguably essentially the most thematically applicable of the straps on supply, the Nytex strap is available in both black or khaki.
I used to be instantly reminded of one other watch once I first noticed the Fulcrum 39, and never in a disparaging manner in any respect; the dial, bezel, and sword arms are strikingly harking back to the Omega Seamaster 2254, albeit with a hearty dose of MKII’s personal styling cues. As an example, the Fulcrum 39 follows in its authentic iteration’s footsteps by that includes luminous paint solely on the 12, 3, 6, and 9 factors, to get rid of visible distraction. The MOD sword arms put on Tremendous LumiNova BW9, and a black background date wheel is elective for individuals who favor slightly further info on the dial. This mix of options leads to a clear and legible face that requires solely a look to learn.
One key distinction between the brand new Fulcrum 39 and the unique, nonetheless, is the motion. The unique benchcrafted Fulcrum used a Soprod A10 motion, whereas the 39 options both a Miyota 9015 or 90S5 caliber, for the date and non-date variations respectively. Each are computerized with manual-winding functionality and have a hack setting.
The Fulcrum 39 appears to be like to be an enticingly vintage-inspired and convincingly sensible instrument watch that successfully conveys the covert ops backstory that MKII has crafted for it. Its mix of fashion and performance, mixed with its eminently wearable case dimension and a myriad of strap choices ought to make the Fulcrum 39 a sensible choice for the would-be spy, or the do-it-all civilian.
On-line ordering for the MKII Fulcrum 39 is open now, nonetheless at press time, all variants are offered out. That stated, MKII has an possibility on their web site to register curiosity within the Fulcrum of your alternative in order that when restocks arrive, you’ll be within the know (the subsequent batch is anticipated in March or April). The retail worth is $995. MKII
