There are brands that just do their own thing. They don’t follow any particular trend, they don’t want to be the “first” at something. They simply create watches which interest them. They set an ideal price tag and figure out what is the highest degree of manufacturing they can get for it. They may create watches in all popular categories—e.g., divers, field, and GMTs—but with their own twist. And these brands generally are not the ones you hear about the most since, well, they don’t follow trends because they do their own thing. These are the types of brands I enjoy the most because they fully focus on the product and not the fanfare and glitters which typically surround new releases. A bit like obscure Swiss brands which in the 1960s/70s issued cool skin divers you’ve never heard of. 

Based in Australia, Second Hour is such brand and we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing a few of their models before: the Mandala Burst, the Gin Clear MkII, and the first generation of the Sattelberg. I say first because today we’re taking a look at the second generation of the brand’s field watch. The first model was already something of its own with a singular design and a long list of outstanding specs to boot. It displayed an unusual combination of matte Arabic numerals and polished triangular elements for the hour markers, a bespoke handset, and an extraordinarily soft and stretchy nylon strap. All of that for a meager sum of money which didn’t make sense. As we’re about to see, the MkII has quite a few things to show for itself as well and still remains extremely affordable (for what you get.) 

Specifications 

Generally we can agree what makes for “good” or “not so good” specifications and what constitutes good value in horology and what doesn’t. When you get X specifications for Y price (“X” equaling “Lots” and “Y” meaning “Reasonable”) then you got yourself a gem. And the Second Hour Sattelberg MkII is a precious stone as I will easily be able to prove in this article. What is subjective is what makes a watch fit your wrist as perfectly as finding your soulmate feels right deep down in your guts. For someone like me, having a 6.50”/16.5cm wrist, I typically feel that any watch with a case diameter of 40mm or below, a lug-to-lug of 48mm or below, and a thickness of 13mm and below will fit my wrist well. (This observation is made independently from how the case is designed which also factors in. But I’m trying to keep things simple here.) 

So you won’t be surprised to hear that the Second Hour Sattelberg MkII wears great on my wrist. Indeed, it comes with a 40mm diameter, a 47mm lug-to-lug, a total thickness of 10.5mm, and a lug width of 20mm. (The stainless steel bracelet tapers to 17.7mm at the clasp.) And there are three elements of its design which does make the Sattelberg wear really well: a more than reasonable case thickness, thin and short lugs which turn down towards the wrist, as well as a flat case-back. The latter is something I don’t often mention or see being mentioned in reviews although it plays a crucial role in the overall wearing experience. Case-backs generally sit more inward vis-a-vis the lugs, which is the case here. But Second Hour designed the case so that there is a minimal gap between the edges of the case-back (the lid that screws-down) and the lugs where they turn down and touch down on the skin. 

In other words, the case of the Sattelberg MkII perfectly espouses the natural contour of the wrist. 

Moreover, and this is perhaps something a bit more of a stretch to communicate here, the design of the case sides (which we will touch upon later on) as well as the seamless alternation of horizontally brushed and mirror-polished surfaces help in creating the visual wearing comfort of the watch. I know, I’m attempting to make a very big stretch here akin to “My name is Neo and I’m going to magically jump from the roof of one skyscraper to the one next door” type of thing, but you need to hear me out. Second Hour placed polished accents where they matter the most in order to make the watch appear thinner and smaller on the wrist—on the chamfers which run all alongside the case, the underside of the case flanks, the lower section of the fixed bezel, and the thinner links of the bracelet. And brushed elements everywhere else and in a way that creates perfect visual balance. But I hope I haven’t lost you there. 

In any case, this long side note was conceived with the goal of communicating the thinness and physical as well as visual wearing comfort of this piece. But we must go back to the spec sheet. So we find a Miyota 9015 caliber which beats at 28,800 BPH (4Hz) and has 42 hours of power reserve; a flat sapphire crystal with six layers of anti-reflective coating; a hardening coating of 1200Hv (Vicker’s Hardening Scale) on the case, bracelet, and clasp; hips of BGW9 lume on all three hands and hour markers; a seven-link stainless steel bracelet held together with screws, quick-release spring-bars and on-the-fly micro-adjustment mechanism; 100 meters of water resistance thanks a screw-down crown and case-back. All of this can be had for the meager sum of $563 USD. Very good, ain’t it? 

Design 

Just like the spec sheet of the Second Hour Sattelberg MkII gives us many things to enjoy—as well as its price tag—, so does the design of this modern field watch. Although it comes with good proportions, it does command a certain visual presence due to having a large dial opening, and therefore, a thin bezel. The first design element of the dial which jumps out the most are the molded and applied blocks of lume for the Arabic numerals which do indeed stand out given their size and placement on the dial. Yes they are large and well proportioned in relation to the dial and hands and located atop a thin, matte inner ring. Such background removes any kind of visual distraction which means they are indeed easy to read. This section of the dial contrasts with the inner portion the highlight of which is a mesmerizing sunburst finish. 

And now we get into a new territory of field watch design, and one which only Second Hour could have laid out. Typically, on this type of watch the hands would also have a matte finish to match the one found on the hour markers (or both would have polished accents) but here they are instead polished which creates an interesting, if not unusual, contrast. The hour hand has a sort of a minimalist shovelhead design while the minute hand reminds me of an obelisk. The seconds hand has a more traditional appearance and is easy to read thanks to having a red triangular element at its end. All three hands are lumed (the Sattelberg MkII is, after all, a tool watch.) Moreover, I would like to point out the white and bold minute track printed on the angled rehaut which is also something unusual for a field watch. 

Clearly here we’re dealing with a new philosophy for designing a traditional type of watch. The combination of the polished hands, large applied hour markers, a prominent minute track, and a dual finish on the dial gives us, the wearer, lots to look at. What is perhaps the most interesting to me from a design standpoint is the fact that Second Hour managed to both create an elegant design and one which is also perfectly functional and highly legible. Because I have no problem reading the time or checking the date—thanks to a discreet porthole date aperture located above the six—whilst also feeling comfortable wearing this watch for dressier occasions, though I don’t have many of those these days. 

The Heart of the Matter

At the heart of the matter therefore is the fact that Second Hour managed to create its own field watch, working from long-established design codes. Having a sort of sector dial with contrasting textures is unusual for this type of timekeeping device, so is having polished hands and matte hour markers, or such a large dial opening contained within a reasonably sized case. And I feel that this is a double-edge sword for the brand as its design would only appeal to a small group of watch enthusiasts who seek the perfect in-between for what is traditional and new. But however much success this model has, I applaud the brand for making such bold designs as it does take some big corones to revisit and refresh such a traditional type of watch design that is the field watch. 

But what is going on with the subtitle, you may ask? Well, this question brings up a second point which is at the heart of the matter. If you were to handle this watch in the metal, you will instantly realize that Second Hour punches well over its weight in terms of quality. Putting this watch under a microscope—which is not something I would know how to convey in photos—we find a spotless finish. Super crisp printing of the text, perfectly molded Arabic numerals, flawless polishing of the hands, and even to the point where the tiny porthole date aperture comes with a beveled frame. The quality of manufacturing and finish extends to the case and bracelet which are also really well executed. So, I don’t know how Second Hour makes any profit selling such good watches for $563 USD. Hence the subtitle. 

Conclusion 

Oh boy, I’m about to use a far-fetched phrasing we journalists love to throw around: I would be hard-pressed…..to find a better made and innovatie field watch at this price point on the current micro/indy market. I have reviewed many field watches before and I will continue to do so for as long as I can, but I have to say the Second Hour Sattelberg MkII is something quite special. This model comes in three colors—black, copper, and blue—but black is the only one currently available to purchase on the brand’s website. (That is as of October 26, 2024.) 

I invite you to check out the brand’s entire catalog as each collection is different from one another and that each offers tremendous value for your hard-earned cash. 

Thanks for reading.