Today, we’re diving into a timepiece from a brand that has intrigued me for quite some time—Égard Watch Company. My first encounter with Égard was through the striking Quantus, a watch that immediately caught my attention with its distinctive triangular case and dual exposed balance wheels. It’s a bold and unconventional design that has already been extensively reviewed. So, instead of retracing familiar territory, I decided to explore one of Égard’s newer offerings: the King Ocean. This is a bold, purpose-driven diver that brings a fresh yet rugged character to the brand’s lineup. It promises durability, presence, and Égard’s signature flair for standout design—and I was eager to see how it performs both on the wrist and in the details.
Founded in 2012, Égard Watch Company emerged from a deeply personal inspiration. Ilan Srulovicz, seeking a meaningful gift for his father, Peter Srulovicz, designed a timepiece that embodied their bond. Unable to find a watch that met his standards for design and sentiment, Ilan created the “Shade”—a watch featuring an intricate layered-dial design. This initial creation laid the foundation for Égard’s commitment to crafting timepieces that capture significant moments and emotions. Beyond watchmaking, Égard has engaged in collaborations with notable figures. For instance, the “Passages” collection was developed in partnership with actor William Shatner, featuring unique elements like authentic meteor dust on the AM/PM disc.
Égard also positions itself as a brand that upholds traditional values, often reflecting these principles in its designs and campaigns. This approach resonates with customers who appreciate both the craftsmanship of the watches and the brand’s ethos. In summary, Égard Watch Company combines personal storytelling, meticulous design, and a commitment to values, offering timepieces that are both functional and meaningful.
The King Ocean arrived in a white cardboard box bearing the Égard logo—though I couldn’t help but notice the logo was printed slightly askew, which immediately gave a somewhat rushed first impression. Inside, there’s a second box, this one adorned with water-themed imagery. While visually more interesting, the overall packaging feels underwhelming and, frankly, excessive. There’s a lot of unnecessary material, and it lacks the “premium” feel you’d hope for at this price point. Personally, I’d prefer if Égard opted for more practical, sustainable packaging—something like a travel case, pouch, or watch roll that could actually serve a purpose after unboxing. As it stands, the outer box is destined for the recycling bin, and the inner box probably won’t see much use either.
Inside the box, the King Ocean comes mounted on its bracelet, accompanied by a blue rubber strap—perfect for a casual summer day, a user manual, and a warranty card. It also includes a bracelet removal tool, which, at first glance, seems like a thoughtful addition. However, in practice, it falls short: the bracelet uses double-sided screws, meaning you actually need two tools to properly remove the bracelet to change it for a strap. Turning just one side causes both screws to spin, rendering the included tool ineffective on its own. On the opposite end of the tool is a strap removal tip, though it’s unnecessary in this case, as the watch doesn’t use standard lugs or spring bars.
Surprisingly, the packaging omits a bracelet sizing tool—something that really should be included. For a watch sold on a metal bracelet, it’s safe to assume most buyers won’t have sizing tools readily available, making this a frustrating oversight. Unfortunately, the initial impression of the watch itself is mixed. The finishing on the case and bracelet feels inconsistent, with visible irregularities that undermine the overall build quality. That said, there are a couple of clear highlights: the dial is stunning, featuring a rich, grainy blue texture that catches and plays with light beautifully. The bezel is another strong point—precisely machined with a reassuringly solid, tactile action. It’s these moments of refinement that hint at what Égard is capable of when the details are dialed in.
The case of the King Ocean is crafted from 316L stainless steel and features a bold, angular design with a mix of finishes—brushed, polished, and bead-blasted across multiple facets. According to Égard’s website, the case diameter is listed as 42mm, but this is a bit misleading. That figure refers to the bezel diameter, not the actual width of the case. In reality, the case measures approximately 46.8mm from 2 to 8 o’clock and 47mm from 3 to 9 o’clock. So by any practical standard, the diameter is much closer to a 47mm watch, which is something prospective buyers should be aware of. The thickness is 13.4mm and the lug-to-lug distance is 51mm, but thanks to the integrated bracelet, the watch wears more like a 45mm piece on the wrist—still large, but more manageable than the raw specs would suggest.
Unfortunately, the machine work and finishing on the case fall well short of expectations. Both sides of the case show inconsistencies: the brushed lines aren’t straight, some brushing overlaps into polished areas, and many surfaces appear wavy or uneven. This is an area where Égard seriously needs to step up its quality control. Sitting atop the case is a 120-click unidirectional bezel, bead-blasted to match the case with an aluminum insert. The insert features raised numerals and markers finished in polished metal, which creates a nice visual contrast. The bezel is arguably one of the best-executed elements of the watch—it’s solid and has a firm (albeit slightly stiff) action that exudes durability. The finishing here is far better than on the case itself, and it elevates the overall look.
At the 3 o’clock position is a large, polished screw-down crown, signed with Égard’s dual-sword logo. It’s easy to grip and fits the overall chunky aesthetic of the watch. Around back, the solid caseback features two deeply embossed sharks—a fun and fitting detail for a dive watch. However, the execution again suffers slightly: there are small surface dimples, and one of the sharks appears to be over-polished, losing much of its original texture and detail. Protecting the dial is a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and the watch boasts an impressive water resistance of 500 meters (50 ATM), which is more than adequate for any diving or water-based activity.
The dial is unquestionably the standout feature of the King Ocean. Égard has done an excellent job with the execution here, especially in terms of color and texture. The dial is a rich blue with a subtle gradient—slightly brighter in the center and deepening toward the edges. While the effect is not immediately obvious in all lighting conditions, it comes to life in sunlight, where the hue truly shines. It’s a striking shade of blue that feels both bold and refined, and it gives the watch real visual presence. The applied hour markers are polished and filled with white lume, providing a nice balance of shine and functionality. However, there’s a notable flaw—the 12 o’clock marker is visibly misaligned. When viewed in relation to the bezel, the crooked placement becomes apparent, which is disappointing in an otherwise beautifully executed dial.
A clean white minute track is printed around the outer edge, adding clarity without clutter. The hour and minute hands are bold, polished, and generously filled with lume for excellent visibility. The seconds hand is spear-shaped with a small arrow tip, also lumed and polished, contributing to the dial’s cohesive and modern aesthetic. At 12 o’clock, the Égard logo is applied in polished metal, adding a premium touch, while the 500M water resistance rating is printed in white at 6 o’clock. The date window at 3 o’clock features a white frame and a matching white date wheel—functional, though its placement slightly breaks the symmetry. Lume performance is solid, making the watch easy to read both during the day and in low-light conditions. Overall, despite the unfortunate misalignment at 12 o’clock, the dial is where the King Ocean makes its strongest impression. It shows that Égard has an eye for bold, appealing design—even if the execution still needs some refining.
The Égard King Ocean is powered by the Miyota 9015 automatic movement, a well-regarded caliber in the microbrand and affordable luxury segments. Developed by Citizen, the 9015 is known for its reliability, slim profile (just 3.9mm thick), and solid performance for the price. It beats at a smooth 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), offers hacking and hand-winding functions, and boasts a power reserve of around 42 hours. Accuracy can vary between watches, but usually these are very precise movements and mine exaple ran at +5 to +7 seconds a day. The rotor is unidirectional and can be slightly noisy, which is common with this movement. While it’s not the most refined in terms of decoration or silence, it’s a proven workhorse with a solid track record. In the King Ocean, it’s a fitting choice—functional, dependable, and easy to service.
The integrated stainless steel bracelet on the King Ocean features a two-piece link design, combining satin-brushed outer links with polished center links for a dynamic contrast. The sides of the bracelet are polished as well, while the inner surfaces of the bracelet are brushed for a more subdued look. It’s secured with a hidden butterfly clasp, which is fully polished and maintains the sleek appearance when closed. In terms of execution, the bracelet is finished slightly better than the case, but still shows some inconsistencies—most notably in the form of uneven or wavy brushing in certain areas. The links are held together with push pins. Screw pins would have offered better durability and ease of adjustment, especially for enthusiasts who like to size their bracelets at home. Despite those shortcomings, the bracelet wears comfortably on the wrist. It conforms nicely to the shape of the arm and, importantly, doesn’t pull hairs—always a plus with steel bracelets. The included blue rubber strap is a pleasant surprise. Although I didn’t wear it during testing, it’s immediately clear that it’s made from high-quality rubber. The surface is smooth, free from rough mold lines, and feels supple to the touch. The tang-style buckle is also well-finished, adding to the premium impression. It’s a strap I’d definitely consider swapping in for more casual or warm-weather wear.
The Égard King Ocean is a watch that leaves me with mixed emotions. It’s a piece that shows ambition—ambition in its bold design, impressive specs, and willingness to stand apart from the crowd. On paper, it ticks a lot of boxes: 500m water resistance, a beautifully textured blue dial, solid bezel action, and a reliable Miyota 9015 movement. These are not minor achievements, and they speak to Égard’s desire to create a serious dive watch with a strong identity. However, the execution doesn’t always match the intent. The case finishing is inconsistent, the polishing and brushing feel rushed in places, and small but important details—like a misaligned hour marker at 12 or a poorly finished caseback shark—undercut the premium feel the watch is clearly striving for. Packaging, too, feels like an afterthought: bulky, wasteful, and impractical, missing an opportunity to elevate the unboxing experience.
That said, the watch does have moments of real potential. The dial is genuinely excellent and visually striking, the bezel is well-executed, and the bracelet, while not perfect, wears comfortably. The inclusion of a quality rubber strap is a welcome touch, and the movement choice is smart and dependable. Ultimately, the King Ocean feels like a watch that’s about 70% of the way to being great. With more attention to detail, tighter quality control, and a more thoughtful presentation, this could be a standout offering in the crowded microbrand dive watch space. As it stands, it’s a bold, characterful piece that will appeal to buyers who prioritize visual impact and spec sheet over perfection in finishing. If you’re someone who can overlook a few rough edges in favor of style, wrist presence, and rugged capability, the King Ocean might just be a worthy addition to your collection. But for those seeking refinement and flawless execution, it may fall short of expectations at its price point.
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