Earlier I reviewed another Szanto watch, a chronograph. This dive watch model also caught my attention, since black dive watches are among my favorites. Lets take a closer look at the Szanto model 5122.
The 5120 series also includes the 5121 in brushed stainless steel and the 5123 in brushed stainless steel with a blue face. This model is powered by a Japanese quartz movement, which I believe is by Miyota. Accuracy of my example is outstanding; it has been less than a second a week fast. The watch is rated for 500 meters and made of 316L stainless steel. All outer metal surfaces on this model are ion plated black and the bracelet is a tight feeling three link design.
The watch’s flat hardened mineral crystal protrudes slightly above a 120 click black unidirectional bezel with one lume dot at the top. The bezel does have some play to it. All of the bezel markings are a gloss black on a flat black background. This looks great,but I doubt the bezel is easy to read under water. The edge of the bezel is finished in the same manner, with 24 alternating recessed flat and protruding glossy segments, making for a fairly easy grip. The hands and indices are Superluminova filled. All hourly markings are also filled with lume. Only the 6, 9 and 12 o’clock markings are rectangular, the rest are round. The hour hand is a slick looking rocket ship shape, edged in silver like the hour markers. The minute hand is arrow shaped, edged in bright orange. The thin second hand is silver, except for the top 25% of the tip, which is bright orange with a small lumed lollipop, also edged in bright orange, below the tip.
Minute markings on the outer edge of the dial are white and bolder at every indice. The 3 o’clock date window is black on white with silver framing. The upper center of the dial has the Szanto logo in white and the lower center spells the Szanto name and below it states the watch is rated for 500 meters. The beefy, partially protected large screw down crown also has the Szanto logo on it. The watch case has a nice bump out at 9 o’clock, which matches the 3 o’clock crown guard. The base of the lugs, where they meet the watch case, has a unique angle cut in. The solid end links on the bracelet fit tightly and the clasp is also engraved with the Szanto name.
The screw down back is tastefully engraved with information about the movement, case material, water resistance rating and the company logo and name. Oddly, the back of the watch is also engraved with the watch series number 5120, not the actual model number, 5122. The watch has a nice heft, is comfortable and very solid. It hits all of my buttons in the design, feature, construction and size department. I highly recommend the Szanto 5122 for the guy (or gal) that is looking for a great looking, solid black dive style watch. $287 on Amazon.com
Bert Kanne is a freelance contributor to MBWW with a love for well made dive watches and chronographs. All photos by Bert Kanne unless otherwise noted.
5 Comments
Nice review. How do you think that this watch compares to the Citizen Eco-drive BN0000-04H which is roughly the same price, and has been selected by the British Royal Navy as standard issue for its divers?
Good question! We’d need to get one in for a comparison review.
Thanks, I’d love to see it.
I’d also love to see a comparison to the much cheaper Casio MDV-106.
Perhaps you are referring to the Casio MDV-106-1A model. I have one and have worn it for a while.
IMO, it is an excellent piece. Well made and legible. I do have a small quibble with 2 (two) things though.
1) the lume could be much better
2) the crystal is hardened mineral glass rather than sapphire.
Both of these items may contribute to its’ very low (reasonable) pricing, so they are minor if even worth noting.
I like the Casio and it looks to be a very good long-term piece.