Watches with a black dial will always appeal to me.
There is something strangely attractive about a black dial set inside a black-coated case, preferably with a black strap or bracelet. Of course, I'm nowhere near participating in covert operations, and there are times when a sea of black can hinder telling the time at first glance. Nevertheless, I like this "tactical" look. The watch I'm writing about today possesses all these traits and more.
The Odyssey Black Dragonfish is Boldr's third offering to use the Superkuro Musou Black paint. Each time, the result is striking. Venture Singularity and Safari Vogelkop took their names and inspiration from a supermassive black hole and the bird of paradise, respectively. Because the watches are entirely black and follow Boldr's design language, finding all the differences between the trio isn't easy. However, the GMT function and accompanying dial markings make the Odyssey Black Dragonfish a more advanced watch.
Very Black Dial
A bit of background: the Musou Black paint used by Boldr absorbs 99.4% of light. There has been much talk about Vantablack paint (used by Moser), which absorbs even more (99.965%). However, it is more useful to compare it to regular black paint, which absorbs about 80%. Although the Odyssey Black Dragonfish dial is not the darkest in existence, it still significantly differs from a standard black dial.
Apart from the undeniably captivating nature, the practical benefit of the extra blackness is the enhanced contrast between the hands and numbers, improving readability. The distinctive white sections of all four hands float above the dial, and even the black frames are quite discernible. For the first time using this paint for the dial, Boldr introduced dial markers. Primarily, they are needed to read the GMT hand, but they also shift the focus from aesthetics to functionality.
Titanium - Material from Which Dragonfish Watches Are Made
Titanium grade 2 was chosen for the case and bracelet. To continue the dark theme, both elements are coated with black DLC. The unidirectional bezel with 120 clicks, finished with circular brushing, immediately appears brighter than the dial. The sharp lines of the case also reflect a bit more light. The complex and aggressive case would be the main conversation topic in any other watch of the Odyssey line.
Here, it is worth mentioning. Whether you focus on the bezel's ridges, angular lugs, or the slightly expanded middle part of the case - there are angles, surfaces, and curves everywhere. No matter how I move my wrist, the dial remains black. Nonetheless, the interesting shape surrounding the dial catches the eye.
In nature, the black dragonfish inhabits temperate ocean waters at depths of up to 2,000 meters. The Odyssey Black Dragonfish has a water resistance of only 300 meters. However, the watch mimics the bioluminescence of the sea dweller thanks to the generous application of BGW9 Super-LumiNova luminescent coating. Everything white on the dial and bezel glows, so what you see during the day is also visible in the dark.
Boldr Equips the Dragonfish with a "Flyer" GMT Movement
As mentioned earlier, the Odyssey Black Dragonfish feels like a more advanced watch than its black predecessors from Boldr, partly due to the GMT function.
The Japanese Miyota 9075 caliber used in the watch is a flyer GMT, meaning that the first position of the crown allows you to "jump" the local hour hand by one hour when crossing time zones, while the other hands remain in place. If you move the crown to the second position, the seconds hand "hacks," and you can set all four hands together.
The 9075 caliber, part of the 9000 series, operates at a frequency of 28,800 per hour, has a 42-hour power reserve, and offers efficient automatic winding, as well as manual winding if needed. In its standard form, Miyota is nothing special, but Boldr has added a signature dragonfish image to the exhibition case back.
Bracelet with Micro-Adjustments
The watch is equipped with a matching titanium bracelet with black DLC coating. It smoothly tapers from 20 mm at the lugs to 18 mm at the clasp connection. The angular shape of each link provides some continuity with the case. The large titanium clasp with a button is adorned with the "Great Wave off Kanagawa" motif, which Boldr uses in its ocean-oriented watches.
Although the clasp is a bit bulky, it features "on-the-fly" micro-adjustment, allowing you to size the watch or adjust it as needed throughout the day. The Boldr logo is also engraved on the clasp, which is absent on the dial (as well as other brand and model names, water resistance rating, movement type, etc.). The only places you'll see the Boldr logo are the crown and the counterweight of the seconds hand.
While the bracelet is decent, the black Superkuro Musou dial overshadows it, and the Odyssey pairs well with various 20-millimeter strap options. I enjoyed wearing them on white rubber to further accentuate the dark dial color and the watch's lightness.
Final Thoughts on Boldr Odyssey Black Dragonfish
I started this review by saying I like fully black watches. However, there is one caveat: they must be readable. Fortunately, the Boldr Odyssey Black Dragonfish passes this test and then some. The use of black Superkuro Musou paint combined with small yet strict indices ensures excellent readability. This brings the watch close to the top of the list of watches in this style. Only the bezel, with its limited use, is a blemish in terms of functionality. The angular 40 mm titanium case looks aggressive yet is very comfortable to wear. Best of all, I like getting lost in this watch. Luckily, functionality remains a priority. What more could you ask for?
Boldr Odyssey Black Dragonfish can be purchased for 799 USD (excluding VAT). For more information, visit the official Boldr website.