Post by timelessluxwatches on May 21, 2016 13:04:46 GMT -6
The Damasko DB3 and DB4 are the last two models of our DB collection, the first collaboration between the German tool watch brand Damasko and Timeless. There are a number of differences in the DB3/4, both relative to the DB1 and 2, but also compared to other Damasko models. For one thing, the DB3 and 4 are slightly larger at 42mm instead of 40. More importantly, however, it has a "rehaut" or chapter ring around the dial. This aspect is among the most unique in the DB collection, being totally redesigned from Damasko's original chapter ring.
The DB3 and DB4 are, as their name would suggest, the 3rd and 4th entrants in the DB collection. This particular example is the DB3.
This is the DB4. Like nearly all Damasko watches, each model in the DB collection has a black Damest-coated analog. The Damest coating is popular not only for its cool looks, however. It's remarkably tough.
Both come on this unique suede strap, created specifically for the DB line of watches. It looks terrific, but it's also extremely comfortable, thanks to its soft, rubberized inner design.
While all DB models come, by default, on the brown strap, Damasko's popular bracelet can also be fitted to the watch. To help you compare the bracelet with the strap, I've interspersed photos of the DB3 on the bracelet throughout the review.
The two critical differences between the 3-4 and the 1-2 are the size and the rehaut. The DB3/DB4 is 42mm, slightly larger than the 40mm of the others.
The rehaut, or "inner dial", is also unique here. Instead of the busier rehaut found on watches like the DA363, we have brought it down to just four simple arrows. This is a significant stylistic departure from the source material and we think it gives it a cleaner look.
The DB3 and DB4 also have a great deal of similarities to the DB1 and DB2, primarily the Mexico Blue-inspired seconds hand and vintage accents. We're very pleased that we were able to bring luminescent numerals to the line, a feature not found within Damasko's regular models, although in the DB3 and DB4, the chapter ring arrows are also luminescent.
The dial of these DBs is what really makes them stand out from the rest of Damasko's lineup.
The inspiration for the DB3 and 4 comes from the Damasko's "three hand with rehaut" line of watches, most notably the DA363. The main difference, of course, is the chapter ring.
The original DA363's chapter ring, though very popular, is quite busy. It has Arabic numerals as well as indices for seconds.
While nice in its own right, we wanted to create something simpler and cleaner. Thus we opted for four simple arrows (triangles), each of which is luminescent. The practical application of this design is to make it easier to orient the watch in darkness, but in truth we just really liked how it looked.
As was the case with the DB1 and DB2, we chose to go with a vintage-inspired color for the numerals and markers.
One theme that has stayed true throughout our limited editions, including our Nomoses, is that we like to color match the date (and, in this case, the day). To that end, the DB series receives unique day and date rings that match the vintage look throughout.
While the numerals and hour markers may not look particularly different from other Damaskos, they're actually quite a departure.
That is, of course, because unlike all other Damaskos, the numerals are now luminescent. We can definitively say that the DB3 and DB4 have the most lume of any black-dialed Damasko yet. The arrows create easy reference points for your eyes, ensuring that even in the dark, the watch is correctly oriented relative to its viewer.
The hands are also in matching vintage lume, but it's the seconds hand that is the most interesting. It's inspired by the colors of one of our favorite cars, the Porsche 911, in Mexico Blue. We decided to use a brightly colored seconds hand because we feel it's more faithful to Damasko's original design, which is famous in part due to its similarly intense seconds hand.
All in all, there are numerous relatively small updates to the dial, but we think it is still within the spirit of the original DA363.
Cases are, oddly enough, probably the thing that made Damasko the rising star that it is. That's mostly due to their superior hardened steel which is several times more scratch resistant than the steel in most watches.
As is true of nearly every Damasko, it's available with a black Damest coating. This is the sole distinction between the DB3 and DB4 (as well as the DB1 and DB2). The Damest coating is itself extremely tough and is generally recognized as the most scratch resistant DLC in the industry.
The case of the DB3 and 4 is slightly larger than most Damaskos, including the DB1 and DB2, at 42mm.
The case has been ever so slightly altered for the limited edition with unique Timeless writing on the back. Behind the back resides an anti-magnetic core, making the watch highly resistant to magnetism. The seals are also made from chemical-resistant Viton, so the movement is very insulated from unwanted external influences.
Ordinarily, the models that the DB3 and DB4 are based on, like the DA363, are 13mm thick, but this one is just 12.5mm even, owing to the fact that we used a flat crystal instead of the original domed. For a tool watch, particularly one with an anti-magnetic core taking up space inside, that's actually quite thin.
A flat crystal is utilized with an anti-reflective coating on the inside only. The fact that the crystal isn't protruding and lacks the outer AR coating makes it substantially more resilient.
The crown screws down for 100 meters of water resistance. Damasko's crowns are always a pleasure to use because of their internal lubrication cell and the fact that they don't wind the movement when being screwed in. Consequently, their crowns are some of the smoothest available.
So, aside from the case back, we haven't altered the case a great deal. We didn't have to, as it has a terrific all-business look to it thanks to its bead blast finish. As someone who really babies his watches, I also feel a lot more comfortable knowing that Damaskos are far harder to scratch than almost any other watch in the world.
The strap is another attribute of the DB line that you won't find elsewhere. I've always liked Damasko's straps because they're so soft and they have a very nice rubberized interior to them. These may be my favorite yet though. The brown complements the vintage-inspired dial perfectly.
All DB models come with the brown suede strap by default, but you can also choose Damasko's wonderfully chunky bracelet.
Damasko's bracelet is actually quite special. It's made from the same hardened steel of the case so it's extremely scratch resistant. I also really like the Torx screws which are much harder to strip when you add or remove links.
Check out our video of the DB3 here.
And check out our video of the DB4 here.
So there you have it, the last two of models of the DB limited edition collection.
While I (obviously) like all of the DB models, I think I like the DB3 and DB4 the most.
In particular, I think I like the DB3 most of all. I really love how the bead blast finish looks, so while the Damest coating is very cool, I tend to lean toward the uncoated models.
The DB3 and DB4 basically just gave us a bigger canvas to work with than the DB1 and DB2 since there was an additional element to redesign. The result, I think, is an overall cleaner looking watch than the model it's derived from.
Unfortunately, only 50 are being made of each of the four (200 total DB watches produced) so some of the models are getting a bit scarce. I hope we get another opportunity to work Damasko again in the near future.
Here's the 42mm DB4 on the wrist. It has an almost tactical look to it.
And finally, the DB3, my favorite of the entire DB collection. If you haven't already, make sure to check out my review the DB1 here or click here to see all of the DB models.
