Quick Look: Spectre Time Frostbite
Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 8:54 am
Earlier this year Spectre Time announced a new Kickstarter project, Frostbite. This would be the second model for the small, Singapore based brand.
In April, the Kickstarter was canceled so Gulshan, the owner of Spectre Time could make some changes and improvements to the prototype. The project will be relaunched soon and you can follow it at this link.
A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to receive one of the pre-improvement prototypes. Even without the changes Gulshan wants to make, it is a solid piece straight out of the box. The dial plays with the light quite nicely, and I like the Bond movie-style classic opening sequence rifling. Fitting for a brand with Spectre in the name.
Frostbite has a unique, crab-like case design. Particularly eye-catching are the machined out indentations on the case sides and the lugs. They help to give some extra visual and definitely tactile appeal to the watch. A signed, screw-down crown at the classic 4:00 position (NH35A automatic movement) operates well.
Bezel action is accurate, very ratchety (which I like), and stiff, but not so much to make it unusable. Gulshan said the bezel tension will be adjusted.
Lume is impressive. Bright, legible, and well applied. Lume on the production model should be even better as Gulshan stated they will be going with a brighter material. I look forward to seeing how it compares!
The strap is custom-molded for Spectre Time, and is fitted to the case with quick-release spring bars. It is soft and pliable but does pick up some lint. It was also a bit too short for this reviewer, but that is not a knock at Spectre, and they mentioned it will be longer on the production pieces.
Below are the changes Gulshan and Spectre Time plan to make to the production model:
In April, the Kickstarter was canceled so Gulshan, the owner of Spectre Time could make some changes and improvements to the prototype. The project will be relaunched soon and you can follow it at this link.
A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to receive one of the pre-improvement prototypes. Even without the changes Gulshan wants to make, it is a solid piece straight out of the box. The dial plays with the light quite nicely, and I like the Bond movie-style classic opening sequence rifling. Fitting for a brand with Spectre in the name.
Frostbite has a unique, crab-like case design. Particularly eye-catching are the machined out indentations on the case sides and the lugs. They help to give some extra visual and definitely tactile appeal to the watch. A signed, screw-down crown at the classic 4:00 position (NH35A automatic movement) operates well.
Bezel action is accurate, very ratchety (which I like), and stiff, but not so much to make it unusable. Gulshan said the bezel tension will be adjusted.
Lume is impressive. Bright, legible, and well applied. Lume on the production model should be even better as Gulshan stated they will be going with a brighter material. I look forward to seeing how it compares!
The strap is custom-molded for Spectre Time, and is fitted to the case with quick-release spring bars. It is soft and pliable but does pick up some lint. It was also a bit too short for this reviewer, but that is not a knock at Spectre, and they mentioned it will be longer on the production pieces.
Below are the changes Gulshan and Spectre Time plan to make to the production model:
- Case finishing, in particular the cut-outs and lug edges.
- Update caseback artwork to that seen on Kickstarter.
- Lume to be brighter and more consistent.
- Frost white texture (dots) on bezel insert to be removed as it makes it look dirty.
- Improved packaging/presentation box.
