The world of horology is constantly evolving, with brands large and small striving to capture the attention of discerning collectors and casual enthusiasts alike. Among the rising independent watchmakers, DuFrane has carved out a niche for itself, focusing on thoughtfully designed timepieces with a distinct American heritage. The DuFrane Travis MkII, a dive watch that has recently undergone an update, exemplifies this commitment to quality and style. This review delves into the specifics of the Travis MkII, particularly its striking "40 Acres" burnt orange variant, examining its design, performance, and overall value proposition.
Evolution of the Travis Line: A Step Forward for DuFrane
While the specifics of the original Travis MkI are not detailed in this assessment, it is understood that the MkII represents a progression and refinement of the brand’s dive watch offering. DuFrane itself has been a player in the independent watch scene for over a decade, consistently assembling its watches in-house, a practice that imbues each timepiece with a personal touch and a sense of craftsmanship. The Travis MkII aims to build upon the foundation of its predecessor, introducing updated colorways and potentially subtle enhancements to its functionality. The brand’s decision to discontinue the MkI in favor of the MkII signals a strategic move to streamline its product line and focus on its latest advancements.
Design Aesthetics: The Captivating "40 Acres" Orange
The DuFrane Travis MkII is available in a trio of colorways: Saddle Brown, Slate Grey, and the particularly eye-catching "40 Acres" burnt orange. It is this specific iteration that garners the most attention and praise. The burnt orange dial, a first for the brand, is bold and vibrant, offering a striking contrast to traditional dive watch palettes. While the Saddle Brown and Slate Grey options possess their own understated appeal, the "40 Acres" variant stands out for its sheer visual impact and dynamic personality. This choice of color is not merely aesthetic; it aligns with the watch’s intended use as a casual, everyday companion.
The case of the Travis MkII, while not revolutionary in its design, adheres to a classic and functional form. Measuring 39mm in stainless steel and 12mm in height, with a 47mm lug-to-lug distance, it strikes a balanced profile for a 200-meter automatic dive watch. This relatively compact size contributes to its wearability across a range of wrist sizes and activities. The case’s surface is treated with an added hardness coating, a practical feature that significantly enhances its durability and resistance to scratches, a crucial element for any tool watch. This coating ensures that the watch maintains its pristine appearance even under rigorous use, a testament to DuFrane’s focus on longevity.
The Bezel: A Harmony of Color and Functionality
A standout feature of the Travis MkII, particularly the "40 Acres" model, is its sapphire bezel insert. The orange bezel is thoughtfully designed with minimalistic markings, featuring hashes only at the quarter-hour intervals and a subtle arcing line between the first two markers. This uncluttered design reinforces the watch’s casual demeanor. The bezel’s coin-edge grip ensures confident manipulation, and the tension has been expertly calibrated by DuFrane, providing a satisfying click with each turn.
The true brilliance of the bezel lies in its perfect integration with the dial and date window. The sapphire insert is a masterful match in color to the dial and the surrounding date aperture, creating a cohesive and visually unified aesthetic. The seamless color transition across these elements, despite the inherent differences in materials, is a significant achievement and contributes immensely to the overall appeal of the watch. This attention to detail in color matching elevates the Travis MkII beyond a mere functional timepiece to a well-crafted accessory.
Dial Details: Clarity and Thoughtful Execution
The dial of the Travis MkII is designed for optimal legibility, a paramount requirement for any dive watch. The white ring encircling the dial serves a dual purpose: it breaks up the dominant orange hues of the dial and bezel, and it provides a clean backdrop for the hour markers. The hands are filled with X1 grade Super-LumiNova, ensuring excellent luminescence in low-light conditions.
A particularly noteworthy detail is the date window. The date wheel is color-matched to the dial, with white font that harmonizes perfectly with the chapter ring and hands. The precise alignment of the dial text, positioned equidistant above the chapter ring as the chapter ring is below, speaks to a high level of attention to detail that is often overlooked in watchmaking. This meticulous execution of even the smallest elements underscores DuFrane’s commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Luminosity: A Subtle but Striking Feature
The lume application on the Travis MkII is another area where DuFrane demonstrates innovative design. Beyond the hands and bezel markers, the chapter ring is also treated with a substantial amount of lume. Uniquely, each hour marker on the chapter ring is surrounded by a thick border of lume, with a black marker positioned within this luminous boundary. This creates a distinctive visual effect when the watch is in darkness, offering a different aesthetic compared to traditional solid lume applications. This subtle but impactful detail adds an element of surprise and delight for the wearer.
Movement and Performance: Proven Reliability
Powering the DuFrane Travis MkII is the Sellita SW200-1 elaboré grade movement. This Swiss-made automatic movement is renowned for its reliability and accuracy. The elaboré grade ensures that the movement is regulated to within -4/+4 seconds per day, offering better-than-average timekeeping out of the box. The reviewer experienced no issues with the movement’s performance, a sentiment likely shared by many owners of watches equipped with this robust caliber. The brand’s choice of a Sellita movement aligns with its strategy of utilizing proven, high-quality components for its timepieces. Looking ahead, the potential adoption of the newer SW200-2 Power+ movement by DuFrane could further enhance the watch’s appeal, mirroring trends seen in other brands.
Straps and Versatility: Adapting to Every Occasion
The Travis MkII comes with two strap options: a fitted stainless steel bracelet and a soft, stretchy white Velcro strap. The bracelet is a solid offering for its price point, featuring quick-release tabs, a milled folding clasp, and an on-the-fly micro-adjustment system providing an additional 10mm of sizing. The reviewer found the bracelet to be substantial and comfortable, noting its wider screw pins which facilitate easier sizing.
The included white Velcro strap, while comfortable, received mixed reviews regarding its aesthetic integration. The chunky plastic ends that connect the strap to the case were perceived as detracting from the overall flow of the watch’s design. Despite this stylistic quibble, the inherent comfort of such straps is undeniable.
However, the true versatility of the Travis MkII shines when paired with aftermarket straps. The 20mm lug width and the presence of additional spring bar holes make it an easy canvas for a wide array of strap choices. The reviewer successfully experimented with various colors, including blues, browns, greens, and blacks, demonstrating that the bright orange watch can adapt to diverse styles and preferences, proving itself to be more versatile than its vibrant color might initially suggest. This adaptability enhances its appeal as a daily wearer, capable of transitioning from casual outings to more dressed-up occasions with a simple strap change.
Conclusion: A Compelling Dive Watch with Personality
The DuFrane Travis MkII, particularly in its "40 Acres" burnt orange configuration, emerges as a highly compelling dive watch. It successfully balances robust functionality with a distinctive and appealing aesthetic. The brand’s commitment to in-house assembly, coupled with the use of reliable Swiss movements and thoughtful design details like the color-matched date wheel and innovative lume application, positions the Travis MkII as a strong contender in the independent watch market.
The watch’s wearability, enhanced by its comfortable dimensions and the versatility offered by its strap-changing capabilities, makes it an ideal companion for various lifestyles and environments. While the Velcro strap’s aesthetic integration could be improved, the overall package—from the durable case to the precise movement and striking dial—delivers significant value. Priced at $899 USD, the DuFrane Travis MkII offers a well-crafted and personality-filled timepiece that stands out from the crowd, embodying the spirit of American watchmaking with a modern twist.
