Disclaimer: this video/review was not sponsored by Zelos or any other entity.

Delugs CTS Rubber Strap (Grey) – https://delugs.com/collections/regular-straps-rubberised-leather/products/black-rubberised-leather-togo-signature-strap
Delugs Rubberized Leather Strap (Black, Togo) – https://delugs.com/collections/regular-rubber-cts/products/grey-rubber-cts-strap

Video

Review

The Zelos Eagle 2 Ti ‘Arctic’ manages to combine interesting design with exciting materials and excellent value. With a 39mm diameter that wears more like a 41-42mm watch, it is likely to be a comfortable fit for most wrists over 6.5″, complemented by a 48mm lug to lug length and an 11mm thickness excluding the crystal. The case is made from titanium, with this Arctic variant featuring a cerakote bezel and a gunmetal coated mid-case/lugs, that are treated to achieve a 1200Hv surface hardness for enhanced scratch resistance.

The watch is equipped with a versatile 20mm lug width, and though it comes with an FKM rubber strap and titanium buckle, I mostly wore it on my Delugs CTS Rubber Straps. At its core, there is a La Joux Perret G100 soigné movement,with a custom anthracite plating and ‘Turbine’ rotor. The Eagle 2 Ti offers 100m water resistance, which is pretty impressive for a watch with such a detailed case architecture. Legibility is not a problem, with the box sapphire crystal being coated with plenty of inner anti-reflective coating. The fully lumed dial delivers an incredible low-light to no-light experience, keeping the watch legible through the night. The Eagle 2 Ti ‘Arctic’ was launched at $849.00, and is still available at the time of writing this review.

Case

The titanium case of the Eagle 2 Ti truly excels in both construction and aesthetics, featuring a gunmetal coated mid-case that impressively combines visual appeal with functionality, thanks to its scratch-resistant surface coating. This design thoughtfully refines the original idea introduced back in 2016, and I particularly love the the hollowed lugs and meticulous case detailing that manages to give it a modern and technical appearance. Cerakote, a material coating usually not heard of in the watch industry, brings a distinctive look to the watch and also re-affirms Zelos’ commitment to offering new and exciting materials. Typically found in the firearms industry and on high-use equipment for its superior scratch and wear resistance, its application here, including on the crown, is both unusual but also somehow appropriate. The knurling on the coated crown is designed for ease of use, and is also screwed down giving the watch 100m of water resistance. The case not only serves as the highlight of this watch for me, but also makes its way onto my personal top choices in terms of quality and execution in this price category.

Dial

The dial of the watch features a fully lumed base layer, enhancing low-light and no-light legibility through a ‘negative’ contrast viewing experience. Despite the potential for simplicity with just black hardware and dial elements, Zelos goes a step further by incorporating black lume into the hands and indices, which emits a soft green glow. The quality control and finishing of the dial are exemplary for watches in this price range, showcasing what I think is the cleanest Zelos dial I’ve photographed/reviewed to date. In terms of design, the dial adopts a Type B flieger layout, unlike the Type A layout used in the previous 2016 version. This design choice not only updates the aesthetic but also contributes to the watch’s overall readability and visual appeal. Zelos is typically known for dials that adopt a more ‘maximalist’ design aesthetic, with generous use of color, bold textures, and fonts that tend to lean on the casual side of design choices. But with this Eagle 2 Ti, I am happy to see a transition towards a more restrained aesthetic, without bold use of color, fonts or textures. I know that a lot of the hardcore Zelos fans prefer the bolder design DNA of Zelos, but designs like this speak to me a bit more and I fully welcome it.

Movement

Choosing the La-Joux Perret G100 movement for this watch was an excellent idea in my opinion. 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, finding out that this watch boasted a La-Joux Perret was a key factor for me. It is essentially like 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. Zelos also went for the top shelf with the soigné grade, complete with a cool ‘turbine’ design rotor that ties back to the watch’s aviation theme. Operating the watch feels pretty robust, and it has been keeping excellent time too. Honestly, I’m relieved this watch steered clear of the entry-level Seiko movements and the all-too-common ETA2824/SW200. It feels like Zelos made a conscious effort to deliver something premium with this watch, and it shows, especially when you consider the price point. 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

On my wrist, this watch feels a bit more substantial than you’d expect from its 39mm size, leaning more towards the presence of a 41mm piece. I suspect it’s the straight lugs – they don’t have that typical curve downward, which probably adds to that bigger feel. But honestly, those lugs are part of why I love this watch’s design so much. The stock pilot-strap inspired FKM strap it comes with is quite good, complete with a matching buckle that fits the design perfectly. But I found myself gravitating towards my Delugs CTS Rubber Strap more. The length of the stock strap is also slightly better suited towards larger wrists, and my 6.75″ wrist resulted in a bit more excess length than I would’ve liked.

Despite its stature, the watch manages to keep a sleek profile, which might surprise some. I’ve heard a few comments about missing a bracelet option, but personally, I think adding a fitted bracelet would just take away from the impressive case design, especially those unique lugs. And a straight-end bracelet? It just wouldn’t do justice to the watch’s look in my opinion.

Wrapping Up

This watch shines with its case design, featuring unique lugs and a cerakote finish that you don’t see every day. The dial’s legibility is excellent, with its fully lumed dial and high-contrast elements that make reading the time very easy, even in the dimmest conditions. While priced higher than a lot of other Zelos watches, I believe it is an exceptional value offering; finding this level of quality and design at such a price point feels like a steal. The LJP G100 goes a long way in making this a good experience for me, and I love the slightly tamed down version of the Zelos design aesthetic in this series. If you’re on the fence about this watch, I can’t say enough good things about it. And this might be a rare occasion where I don’t have any real negatives to contrast with either.