When it comes to true watchmaking legends, the Rolex GMT Master is one of them. Not only as it was the first but because it wrote the pages of horological history, especially in the hearts of watch enthusiasts.
Its famous Pepsi bezel, with its red and blue livery, has become a watchmaking icon, so much that 70 years after its launch it is still in production in myriad watch models.
And since so many enthusiasts do not want to enter the realm of five digits to buy a watch, however iconic it might be, the world’s Maisons have set out to produce alternatives that have the same taste but “weigh” a little less on our wallets.
And among the many, here is this timepiece by Davosa, which among the homages to the model, represents one of the most faithful and well-made. We chose one with the color of the competition, namely the black and red hues of the Coke model.
The world of homages
Not all watch enthusiasts agree in their appreciation of homage watches, especially as, in this case, it is a watch that is very similar to the original.
Our judgement of this niche, however, is instead very positive. Homages are the legal answer to copies: the watch community does not need timepieces produced by the undergrowth of unscrupulous manufacturers who have no qualms about making counterfeit watches. They flood the market with copies that are often very similar to the originals and which are often sold as such to less experienced enthusiasts.
Homages, on the other hand, offer legal watches that come from a certified quality supply chain and allow those who buy them to experience the pleasure of having a watch very similar to a model that perhaps would be unattainable otherwise. So, long live the homages!
Davosa, the company
Those who have heard about it know that this Swiss Maison produces watches of excellent quality. The company began as a subcontractor for other Maisons and, over time, developed its brand, Davosa precisely, to sell its collections of timepieces directly to the public, mainly oriented in the homage world. However, there is no shortage of original designs.
The growing success and development of the lines it produces testify to the fact that its vocation – that is, to create watches that offer the same quality of the ones made by more famous Maisons – has a large number of admirers, and examining the watch, we have no trouble understanding why.
The Davosa Ternos GMT Coke 40 mm model
This watch arrives in a well-protected and well-executed box with counter-box, and contains an assortment needed to adjust the bracelet and the timepiece’s papers and instruction booklet.
Protection is manic: each item is covered with thick protective plastic that must be removed before use. So be prepared to lose a little time on this operation, but it’s worth it!
The case and finish
Once peeled back the plastics, this Davosa model shows itself with all its sporty yet elegant character. The watch looks handsome, solid, and well-finished in its 40 mm 316L steel case (it is also available in a slightly larger 42 mm size for the same price).
The case surfaces are spotless and well-polished with a satin top finish and mirror finish on the sides; the lugs are short and well connected, with a slight curve that hugs the wrist well. A pair of guards well protect the screw-down crown with the logo, and the case back, also screw-down, is decorated with a polished and satin finish where the Davosa logo stands out.
The bezel with a unidirectional ceramic insert in black and red is large and well-executed, with smooth, precise clicks and an excellent grip facilitated by the cut of its edges. Inside is a sapphire crystal with an applied date lens with anti-reflective treatment.
Dial and hands
A simple, slightly polished black dial fitted with applied metal hour markers generously filled with Superluminova represents the face of the watch. The hands are made in shiny metal, with hollowed inserts filled with luminova.
The logo on the dial is well-proportioned to the rest of the elements, and the hour window is visible thanks to the lettering used at the excellent magnification of the superimposed lens.
Movement
The Davosa Ternos GMT Coke 40 mounts a reliable automatic DAV 2893 GMT movement, produced on a Sellita base, with 28,800 A/h and a 42-hour power reserve, a modern and functional movement that animates legions of GMT watches.
This kind of movement is also fitted in brands much better known to the general public than Davosa not belonging to the Swatch group – so we are talking about the Swiss industry standard of excellence here.
Strap & Wearability
There are several strap versions, but I opted for this classic jubilee that perfectly matches the lines of the watch, and it must be said that the choice was apt. It is a solid, heavy steel bracelet with a beautiful polished and satin finish that contrasts with the case. The generously sized bracelet has a suppletive link and screwed-in pins that make it easy to fit.
The bracelet closure is the typical push-piece clasp used in diver watches with bracelets, with a fastener bearing the Maison’s logo. Unfortunately, of all the positive elements of this watch, this seems to be the least memorable part: it is a good choice but a bit plain. Perhaps a butterfly clasp closure would have been more elegant and appropriate to the class of this timepiece.
In conclusion
A review is not complete without a “road test,” and this Davosa passes it brilliantly. Carrying it around during my daily activities, I saw that this watch attracts people’s attention, drawn by its iconic shape and colors. And it is difficult to go unnoticed precisely because of its assonance with the models produced by the House of the Crown.
But as far as wearing is concerned, it is a watch that is not light, but with that reassuring weight, which conveys a sense of security; despite its height of 14.5 mm, it is, however, manageable, and does not have the bad habit of bumping into every corner thanks to its small size and the anatomical shape of the case back that makes it a snug fit.
Speaking of the final notes, the price of this model is not exactly an attack price of many competitors: it sits in the premium range of this particular sector precisely because of its high quality. It sits in a range around $1,500, where interesting models from better-known houses are starting to be found. But as we said, the Davosa Ternos GMT 40 mm easily holds its own.
And apparently, it does pretty well in the second wrist market as well: these are not out-of-this-world quotes, but it is hard to complain, especially since with a Davosa like this, you are buying not just a homage but a quality timepiece with excellent horological characteristics.
To learn more: visit Davosa.com or Davosa-usa.com
