Disclaimer: this video/review was not sponsored by Synchron or any other entity. This watch was loaned to me by @watcheswithmukherjee.
Video
Review
In this review, we delve into the Synchron Poseidon Ice Diver, a timepiece that not only represents a remarkable synthesis of historical dive watch DNA and modern collaborations but also showcases the complex legacy of the Synchron brand name. Originally established in the late 1960s as part of the Swiss watch conglomerate ASUAG, Synchron became a stalwart in the dive watch market during the 1970s, enveloping brands like Doxa, Ernest Borel, Cyma, Auréole, Tavannes Watch Co SA, etc. This era was marked by a distinctive focus on robust, specialized timepieces that stood out through both innovation and design.
Today, Synchron has been rejuvenated under the stewardship of Rick Marei, best known for his dedication to revitalizing vintage watch brands (like Doxa, in particular). Marei’s efforts have breathed new life into Synchron, particularly through the resurgence of Doxa with its iconic Sub series, celebrated for their vibrant orange dials and pioneering no-decompression dive table bezels. This revival not only restored Doxa to its former glory but also positioned Synchron as a custodian of heritage in the contemporary watch market. In 1997, Doxa was purchased by the Jenny family, and over time parted ways with Rick Marei and operate the Doxa brand as an entirely independent entity. But Synchron, under Rick Marei, continues to revive legendary dive watch brand names like ISOfrane, TROPIC, Aquadive, and is also a distributor for brands like Traser, Aquastar, etc.
The latest offering from this storied entity is the Synchron Poseidon Ice Diver, developed in collaboration with Swedish diving equipment titan, Poseidon Dive Systems. This limited edition watch is part of a 1000-piece series to celebrate a partnership with the world of professional diving, blending traditional elements with cutting-edge design and functionality. And seasoned dive watch collectors will be familiar with a similar Doxa x Poseidon partnership. Priced initially at $990 during pre-order and escalating to a retail price of $1290, this brand brings with it complicated yet interesting baggage, dragging into light the highly interconnected and borderline incestuous relationships that gave birth to most of the watch brands we know and love today.
Let’s check it out!
Case
The Ice Diver presents a case that balances vintage diver styling and modern sizing preferences, marked by its 41.95mm diameter and 44.6mm lug-to-lug measurement. With a towering 14.5mm thickness and 20mm lug width, the watch maintains a commanding presence on the wrist. Drawing design influences from the cushion-case style dive watches and the robust profiles of beefier Doxa models, this watch shares a nearly identical case silhouette with the previous Synchron Military models, exuding a familiar yet distinct aesthetic.
The case is predominantly brushed, providing a utilitarian and industrially appealing finish, with the exception of the polished bezel teeth which add a subtle contrast. This design choice ensures a coherent visual theme that is rugged and ready for action, even if the action is just me sitting at my desk furiously typing away my watch opinions to anyone that will listen.
The bezel, a critical component for any dive watch and an important element for human-watch interaction, combines the elasticky satisfaction found in Seiko’s bezels with the precise, clicky interaction reminiscent of Omega. It houses a sapphire insert marked with luminous numerals and a triangle, enhancing visibility under various lighting conditions. Above this, a flat sapphire crystal, nearly level with the bezel, offers superb clarity aided by excellent use of anti-reflective coating.
The mid-case design cleverly attempts to reduce visual bulk through its curved shape, although the overall height remains prominent. The watch features a 5.5mm screw-down crown at the 3 o’clock position, embossed with the Synchron logo on its polished top, and is designed for easy grip and smooth operation, with a grip mirroring the bezel’s knurling.
The polished, flat case-back sits taller on the wrist, creating a floating effect for the mid-case that some may not enjoy given its rather top heavy wrist presence. The watch supports up to 300m of water resistance. Overall, the design feels refreshing yet very familiar – particularly for those that have owned or experienced a Doxa watch from the last decade or two. The case height is a point of contention, but the “brick on wrist” feeling has its charm too, and I think this watch delivers.
Dial
The Poseidon dial retains much of the design ethos of the Synchron Military, mirroring its bezel styling and dial layout but introducing subtle variations in color and co-branding to distinguish it. The minute track on the outer rim is crisply printed in white, offering excellent readability against the backdrop of the dial.
The hour markers are striking, composed of large rectangular blocks that blend white, beige, and black, leading visually towards the center. The beige segments are lumed, which, while not the most potent in low-light conditions, add a functional aesthetic to the overall design.
Distinctive branding elements include the Synchron logo placed just below the 11 o’clock marker and the Poseidon Dive Systems logo above the 5 o’clock, maintaining the heritage look shared with Doxa watches.
A departure from the Military, the Ice Diver features a redesigned set of hands; the hour hand is narrower, painted black with ample beige colored lume filling, while the minute hand is a bold, broad sword style, painted yellow and similarly lumed. This color contrast between the hands enhances dial legibility and aesthetic appeal. The second hand in black with a yellow lumed square and tip complements this scheme perfectly.
Overall, the dial of the Poseidon looks quite impressive in person and under a loupe with its meticulous attention to detail and quality control. Its construction might be straightforward – lacking any applied elements or intricate patterns – but the simple, printed features and high-contrast, legible hands coalesce into a cohesive and visually appealing design.
Lume
The Poseidon makes a strong initial impression with its dial and bezel lume, both featuring generously lumed beige/cream elements, including the hands. I will give credit to Synchron for choosing to lume more than just the customary bezel triangle, and the result is a much more pleasing low light visual experience. However, while these lumed elements emit a strong initial glow, their longevity leaves something to be desired. The dial elements in particular begin to fade rather quickly, followed by the bezel, with the hands proving more durable over time.
In a roughly 20-minute time-lapse alongside other notable dive watches like the Tudor Black Bay Monochrome, Seiko Samurai SRPL13, Certina DS Super PH1000M, Christopher Ward C60 Bronze, and a CWC Royal Navy 300, the Synchron Poseidon Ice Diver unfortunately ranked near the bottom in terms of lume longevity. The hands remained bright and legible throughout, but the dial and bezel elements struggled to maintain visibility, posing a challenge for readability in extended dark conditions. This aspect might be a consideration for the lume junkies among us.
Movement
The Poseidon Ice Diver uses a La-Joux Perret G100. I’ll echo some of my thoughts from other watches I’ve reviewed with this movement – I’ve had my fair share of gripes with Sellita SW200s in the past—nothing major, just repeated annoyances with the reverser gear and a winding experience that never quite sat right with me. So, learning that the La-Joux Perret was a direct swap for the SW200/ETA2824 made me very interested in this movement, and over the last 6-7 months I’ve had a lot of hands on experience with this caliber (Zelos Eagle 2 Ti ‘Arctic’, Kollokium P01).
Architecturally, it is nearly identical to a Miyota 9 series movement. But what that also means is that you’re essentially getting the reliability of a Miyota 9 series caliber with the added perks of better components, finishing, and power reserve, not to mention it runs (and spins) noticeably quieter than what I’m used to with the Miyotas. Synchron also went for the top grade variant of this movement . Operating the watch feels pretty robust, and it has been keeping excellent time too. I’m genuinely impressed with the movement and think it will be a standout feature for those that want something a little nicer than what is offered at the entry level, but also want to avoid the usual trouble makers in this price category.
On The Wrist
The Poseidon Ice Diver, with its 41.95mm case diameter and 44.60mm lug-to-lug measurement, fits surprisingly well on my 6.75″ wrist, sitting comfortably within typical size preferences. However, the 14.50mm thickness of the case does contribute to a top-heavy feel on the wrist, a characteristic often noted with robust dive watch designs. The substantial side profile is somewhat mitigated by the use of a thick Isofrane strap (20mm), which not only provides visual harmony between the case and strap but also helps balance the overall heft of the watch. This strap choice seems crucial in managing the watch’s bulk, and it makes me curious about the potential benefits of a bracelet option (I believe this is possible by using a third party bracelet and end links from SUPPAPARTS), which might offer better support and distribution of weight, particularly for smaller wrists.
The design includes a flat case back which lowers the center of mass slightly, aiding in stabilizing the watch against the wrist. However, the tall case back and what I describe as a ‘floating mid case’ design do emphasize the top-heavy nature of the watch. Nonetheless, for enthusiasts of beastly dive watches, the bold and somewhat unwieldy case is not just a caveat but part of the appeal – doubling down on the watch’s rugged, ‘bullet-proof’ construction that enhances its charm and authentic tool watch experience.
Wrapping Up
I’ll wrap this up quickly – the Ice Diver stands out as a robust tool watch that manages to balance beastly dimensions with a design that can comfortably fit narrower wrists, despite its noticeable height. The case and dial are well designed with excellent legibility, complemented by a high-quality Isofrane strap that enhances both comfort and aesthetics. The movement selection is great (I’m very much on team LJP G100), and the pricing is quite reasonable (which is something I find myself rarely saying these days), making it an attractive option for enthusiasts seeking a reliable dive watch without breaking the bank.
However, there are also some drawbacks that potential buyers should consider. The lume performance is only mediocre, lacking the longevity and brightness some might expect from a watch in this category. Additionally, the overall balance on the wrist might not suit everyone; it’s top-heavy and might feel cumbersome to those accustomed to more evenly distributed watches like the Doxa SUB 300. But if that doesn’t turn you away, I think you’ll enjoy the Poseidon Ice Diver.
