Escudo Launch New Ocean Seacrest Preto e Bronze with Ambassador José Fonte

Escudo are a British-Portuguese microbrand who create watches inspired by the golden age of exploration. Now, they’re celebrating their Portuguese heritage by launching a watch with their new ambassador, Jose Fonte, a centre-back for the Portuguese national football team who helped them secure the Euros title in 2016: the Ocean Seacrest Preto e Bronze, an update to the Escudo Chocolate Bronze.

As with its predecessor, the Ocean Seacrest Preto e Bronze has a 39mm diameter case made from stainless steel with a bronze bezel. Bronze has been used by sailors since ancient times and the association holds true of the Seacrest with its 200m water resistance.

What makes the new edition of the watch different is the combination of bronze and black. Both the dial and 60-minute bezel counter are deep black, a classic colour for dive watches because of its high contrast to the lumed hour markers and hands, a contrast that makes the piece highly legible under water. Plus, it really makes the bronze elements stand out.

Beneath the surface is the Sellita SW200-1, which has been rebranded as the Escudo Calibre 1488, a reference to the year that Portuguese explorer, Bartolomeu Dias, became the first European to ever round the southern tip of Africa. The movement itself has a 38-hour power reserve and is a real workhorse.

On the wrist of Jose Fonte, the Ocean Seacrest Preto e Bronze looks great. It has a strong Tudor vibe that makes me think it wouldn’t look out of place on the wrist of that other iconic footballer-turned-watch-ambassador David Beckham. It’s presented on an Italian Vachetta leather strap and is priced at an accessible £1,600.