![]() ![]() Ok, the 60-minute dial at 9 o’clock takes a little from the 10, but just a nibble. It’s nice to see that none of the numerals are cut off by the subdials. A navigation triangle and sword hands lend a strong pilot’s vibe to the Kruger. I sampled the black and the full-lume white. Legibility is vital for any tool watch, and Draken ensures this with stark black, white, and panda dials. Where most merely bracket the crown, those on the Kruger wrap neatly around it. When fully screwed down, it sinks between a pair of angular guards. The crown is proportionately large and knurled for grip. Fans of stealth mode can opt for a black DLC coating that takes the protection up to 1700hv. It looks tough, and it is thanks to a 1200hv hardening treatment. The bead-blasted matte gray finish doesn’t hurt either. In addition to lightness, titanium is also antimagnetic, hypoallergenic, and has incredible tensile strength, all of which make it particularly well-suited for a tool watch. It’s refreshing to grab a big tool watch and discover it weighs considerably less than a brick. It’s just that lighter-weight watches tend to be more comfortable over time. Now, that’s not a deal-breaker I own several big bruisers like that, and they’re a blast. Had the watch and its 22mm, solid-link bracelet been stainless steel, it would have been heavy. Titanium seems to be the watch metal du jour, and I’m all for it. Waiting in the checkout at your local supermarket? Well, you can look at it and wish you were doing something cool. Exploring the briny depths? Screw-down crowns and case back coupled with Viton gaskets seal it for a 300m water resistance rating. Caught in the blazing sun? The sapphire crystal has ten coats of anti-reflective coating on the inside. I wouldn’t wear it to a dinner party, but I could happily strap this on for any outdoor adventure. Those steeply angled lugs keep the bracelet ends from sticking out too far, and bevelling around the upper edges offers a touch of refinement while also tying the case together with the chiseled links of the bracelet. At just under 50mm long, it manages to fit the confines of my smallish 6.75″ wrist. Broad, flat teeth on the bezel offer a secure grip and further enhance the Kruger’s brute appeal.Īnd yet, Chonky Boi though it may be, the Kruger is hardly unrefined or unwieldy. The case sides taper just enough to keep things interesting but still offer enough surface area to carry the brand name. It’s a large watch that does little camouflage its size. The trade-off vis-a-vis a conventional quartz chrono is its thickness, but obviously, that is hardly a concern here. For the uninitiated, the VK63 mates a quartz timekeeper to a mechanical chronograph module, creating an inexpensive movement with a smooth sweep and satisfying feel. The Kruger is Dracken’s first chronograph, tucking a Seiko VK63 MechaQuartz into a beefy 44mm wide, 49.5mm long, 14.2mm thick titanium case. The case and bracelet are both titanium, and it will say so on the finished product. By the way, ignore the “316L” written back there. ![]() The image repeats on the case back where it That theme repeats on the case back, where you will find the rhino beautifully rendered and stamped in high relief. Unboxing the Draken is an invitation to hop in a Land Rover and explore the wilderness. I can think of few watches that establish such a strong theme with their packaging. ![]() Draken also offers an option for fully compostable packaging. All of it is securely protected by a simple pine box. Pull that to reveal your watch and strap, as well as a topographical map of South Africa’s Kruger National Park burned into the surface. A broad swath of strong Velcro secures the flap, revealing a wooden tab. It arrives in a rhino-emblazoned Mollie pouch, essentially an extra pocket you slide onto your belt. Your first hint about the Kruger’s purpose is its packaging. It is 44mm wide, has a 300m-rated titanium case, and if you read on, I’ll tell you about all the fun bits I discovered when I tested this pair of prototypes. Such is the case with the Draken Kruger chronograph. When New Zealand microband Draken Watches releases a new watch, you can count on three things: it will be big, it will be tough, and it will incorporate some cool design features. ![]()
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