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Watch Review: Momentum Innerspace 300M (Model 1M-DV78O0)

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#1 ·
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Name of Reviewer: Michael W. (UKWolfeman)
Name of person who took pictures in review: UKWolfeman
Watch Name / Model Being Reviewed / Brand: Momentum Innerspace


St. Moritz Watch Corp.
1140 West 7th Avenue,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 1B4
Canada

Telephone: 604.734.2316 or toll-free 800.663.1881
Fax: 604.734.3144 or toll-free 800.211.3144
Email: watches@momentumwatch.com

Website: http://www.momentumwatch.com
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/#!/momentumwatch

Model: Innerspace 1M-DV78O0

Price: Approximately $895 - $995

History (Direct from Momentum-St. Moritz Watch Corp website): St. Moritz Watch Corp. commenced operations in North America in 1980. From the outset, we specialized in high quality sports watches, producing our own designs and also acting as agents for some well-known Swiss brands. We developed a strong OEM clientele, designing, manufacturing and servicing durable watches for a number of prestige clients under their own brands. Our clients include some of the most prestigious sports chains, catalog companies and automobile manufacturers in the world. Our watch collection expanded slowly but steadily, based on our reputation for providing customers with unparalleled value for money. Nobody is tougher on watches than SCUBA divers, so it is no coincidence that we have become particularly well known as a manufacturer of high quality divers’ and watersports watches.

By the early 1990’s, we decided to focus on our own Momentum® and St. Moritz brands, and gradually relinquished agencies for other watch lines. We have become market leaders in the specialty SCUBA market segment, with an unmatched selection of different models, technologies and price-points. Our expertise in waterproof watches has also allowed us to expand rapidly into specialty sports, outdoor and paddle stores, with an emphasis on functional, legible watches that are built to last. While the movements in our watches come either from Switzerland or Japan, we source components for our watches from all over the world. It is not unusual to find one of our models using a Swiss movement, a Japanese steel case and a deluxe band from Italy. Our goal is always to provide the best quality and value, sourcing each part that goes into our watches directly from the source, to deliver the maximum "bang for the buck".

Today, with offices, warehouse facilities and Service Centers in Canada, the USA and Europe, we continue to build our reputation for value, quality and service. Our worldwide sales are expanding, with a steady increase in new dealers, distributors and service points around the globe. Our company is a founder member of DEMA (the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association) and a member of the Outdoor Industries Association. We continue to strive to put the best into our products, spending extra time on the smallest details, so that our watches will truly be "a little out of the ordinary"…. If you already wear a St. Moritz or Momentum® watch, we hope the energy and passion we put into each product we make will make itself felt!

Specifications:

Case diameter with crown: 49.00mm
Case diameter: 44.00mm
Lug to Lug: 54.00mm
Thickness: 14.00mm
Band Width / Entrecorne: 22.00mm
Weight (on metal brclt): 0.5lb / 0.22kg
Weight (on rubber strap): 0.3lb / 0.14k
Movement: ETA 2836-2
Water Resistance: 300M
Crystal (Front): Curved Scratch Resistant Sapphire
Case: 316L Stainless Steel w/ Mineral Case Back Crystal



First Impressions: First words to mind were stunning and wow. I thought I was seeinga watch with some similarities to an IWC Vintage Aquatimer as well as the new Halios Lagunaand worthy of a Watch Battle shot up against the Halios piece. Some very big differences but again some similarities as well. Other thoughts were heavy and visually appealing with theorange accentsdial and hands.

Packaging and Watch Box: The Innerspace came packaged very well in a small standard sized UPS carton. The watch box itself was within a white sleeve with the company logo top center. The sleeve containedthe nice metal watch box,hinged flip up top with logo in the center.The lining of the interior of the watch boxis avelvet type black lining.The Innerspacewas very secure in the box on the pillow and wrapped nicely in plastic front, back and bracelet.

As with the other Momentum reviews completed by our staff I would agreethat the watch box ispretty nice and more that adequate. However, since the Innerspace is what I believe to be the flagship of the Momentum line and a diver to boot a nice pelican case or wooden display box would have also been a nice touchfor this specific watch but again not necessary.The watch box also containedthe instructionmanual for the Innerspace.













Case (Crown Side): The crown side of the 44mm case (approximately 49mm including crown)reveals the dual crown system for the Innerspace. Both crowns are unsigned but very well machined measuring almost8mm in diameter. The watch does measure approximately 54mm lug to lug and the case is also approximately 14mm thick as stated in the provided watch specifications.

The crown at the 2 is not a screw down crown and its primary function is to rotate the inner bezel of the Innerspace. Even though the crown at the 2 is not a screw down variety the Water Resistance of 300M is not jeopardized according to theforum Momentum representative. I do not have the equipment totest the 300M water resistance but did allow the Innerspace to sit in one of mysinks fully submerged for 5 minutes anddid not discover a problem. I can'tdispute Momentum's 300M water resistance claim and can only assume their claim is accurate.What I can say is the crown only rotates the inner bezel if significant force is applied. It will not inadvertantly be moved by a slight bump at least that is my opinion. I do knowwatches in the market place such as the Xezo Pilot Commander andMagrette Regattare with similar inner rotating bezel systems utilize a screw down crown for thisfunction. I am not entirely sureif their use of a screw down crown is related to water resistance or to protect soley against inadvertant bumping and moving of the inner bezel which could be the case.

The srew down crown at 4 operates the primary functions of the Innerspace. When unscrewed fully rotating the crown clockwise will manually wind the movement. Pulling the crown to the 2nd position will allow for independent day/date setting. The crown fully extended to the 3rd postion will allow the user to set the time. Absolutely no play or wiggle to the crowns and they screw down very evenly and smoothly without much effort.While the crowns are nicely machinedI would haveloved to see them signed with the Momentum logo.



Case (Non-Crown Side): Nothing remarkable of note. One can see the brushed finish of the case as well as a nice perspective in relation to the height on the wrist of the wearer.



Bezel, Dial and Hands: The Innerspace has a fixed outer bezel with an inner rotating bezel. TheInnerspace is fitted with acurved/domed sapphire crystal.Below thesapphire crystal is a very nicely laid out black dial with day/date at the 3.Below the 12 the company name rests on the dial with the Water Resistance information and Automatic marked just below center dial. Swiss Movement marked on dialsurrounding the 6. Each hour and minute isclearly marked on the dial. The main hour positions are coated heavily in Superluminova providing superiour lumination which will be shown later in the review.The inner rotating bezel marks the minute positions numbered 5-55 while providing a stadium appearance to the dial. No lume on the inner bezel triangle. The inner bezel is rotated again by using the crown at the 2 and only moves if adequate force is applied. The inner bezel is a simplistic way of measuringbottom-time on a dive orany elapsed time.

The Innerspace hour and minute hands are large diver style hands coated heavily in superluminova. The minute hand is outlined in a bright orange and is quite a bitlarger than the hour hand providing a very nice contrast.Thesecond hand sweeps the dial smoothly as one would expect with a watch containing an ETA automatic movement.Just below the tip of the second hand rests a round lume indicatoralso containinga heavy amount of superluminova allowing for easy tracking of the second hand sweeping around the dial in darkened conditions. Theroundlume dot on the second hand is outlined in redrather than orange to match the outlining of the large minute hand. PersonallyI would have loved for the lume dot on the second hand to have orange outliningto match the outline color of the minute hand to provide a bit more uniformity overall but is not necessary as some may see the red outline providing a more desirable contrast in colorsto the overall look.











Case Back: The screw in case back contains a mineral crystal for viewing of the ETA 2836-2 movement in the Innerspace. As one can see in the pictures below the ETA 2836-2 is highly decoratedwith blued screws and rubies as well as the nicely brand engraved rotor. The case back also has basic watch details engraved such as company info, movement type and water resistance.



Strap and Bracelet: There are two Innerspace models one with a bracelet option and another with rubber strap option. The bracelet model which is being reviewedis a 22mm 3 linkstylewith solid curved end links that flush wellto the case.The bracelet is brushed stainless steel to match the case.

The Innerspace model being premium to the Momentum lineupuses screw in links rather than friction pins ora pin/collar system.One will need two screw drivers of the appropriate size for each screw head on either side of the link for sizing purposes.The bracelt also contains (2) half links that aid tremendously in the sizing of the watch and are a must as well as appropriate for a dive watch in this price point. The Innerspacecomes with a scissor style signed divers flip lock with safety clasp along with heavy duty diver's extension. The clasp contains(4)four micro adjustments for even more precise sizing. The bracelet measures 22mm tapering to around 20mm near the clasp. Each link measures approximately 4.5mm in overall thickness. Momentum hits a homerun in myopinion with this bracelet as it is as nice as any dive watch bracelet in its class.

The rubber strap isvanilla scented hypoallegenic natural Italian rubber.I was provided with a rubber strap in order to comment on thequality.The strap measure in atjust over3.5mm.I agree completely with past reviewers of Momentum watches that the rubber strapis by far one of the best rubber straps available in overall quality.Thestrap is soft and easily manipulatedand one can see just how extremely comfortable it would be on the wrist.The strap contains vent holeswhich will increasebreathability. The buckle is verystandard and is high polished which doesn't match the finish of the watch case (brushed)which I find interesting and wonder if a brushed buckle/keeper system is available. The strap containstwo metal keepers as opposed to rubber that come standard on many dive straps. The rubber strap option is available for those wishing to save a bit of cash or prefer dive straps over bracelets.It would be a good choice as well but if you can spare the extra $100 I would personally go with the bracelet.




















Lume: The lume on the Innerspace is nothing short of spectacular. Normally I use a 20 second or so burst from my Surefire flashlight which can produce blinding light to demonstrate the lume of a watch. In this particular case I was sitting under a standard reading light looking over the Innerspace literature that was packed in the watch box and noticed thatIcould possibly get some pretty nice lume shots just from standard lighting and sure enough I was able as you will see below. The afterglow lasted well into the next morning allowing me to still easily tell the time at around 5am. Incredible lume!!



Summary: I would have to say the Momentum Innerspaceshoulddefinitely be considered the cream of the crop for the Momentum-St. Moritz Watch Corp and afantastic diver to boot.The specs on theInnerspace arewell on par with any other in its class such as the ones mentioned previoiusly in this review.The Innerspace design appears somewhat unique compared to other divers available. The Innerspace presents a clean and uncluttered dial with very appealing orange and red accents. The stainless steel case/bracelet, curved/domed sapphire crystal, 300M water resistance, Swiss ETA 2836-2 movement and fantastic lume make it appear to be the equal of any diver with these specifications in the price point range. The well made rubber strap option also provides an alternative for thosethat desire a strap over the bracelet or wish to save a few bucks.

The only potentialdrawbackcould be the crown at the 2 used to rotate the inner bezel is not screw down for a watch that is considred to be a 300 meter diver. I am not sure if this crown situation would impacta true dive to300 meters. I do not have the properequipment to fully test the water resistance to support Momentum's claim as they assured me theInnerspace is fully tested and passes at 300meters. As previously stated in the review the crown at the 2does require significant force to rotate the inner bezel so it will notrotate with the slightest bump which should put that fear to rest for those who would use for diving. Also, theredid not appear to be any leakage issues fully submersing the watch in a sink full of water.

Interesting warranty provided aswell. If I understand it correctly the Innerspacecomes witha standard termed2 year warranty but has a step up program so to speak. After the first 2 years if you have the watch serviced through Momentum you will get an additional 2 years equaling4 years of warrantythen again afterthe 4th year anotherservice provides another2years of warranty totalling 6 years full years. Pretty unique watch warranty and potentially 6 years of peace of mind.

I would like to thank Mike the forum brand representative for Momentum for arranging this review on our forum.
 
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#3 ·
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You reviews are always great....this one is very informative and detailed. Thanks!!!
 
#9 ·
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As usual, a terrific revue and great pictures Mike.
 
#11 ·
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richc1958 wrote:
aztecknight wrote:
Looks like the Halios Laguna. Share similar DNA maybe?
I thought the same thing....only difference is the day/date
Well, that and the case shape is completely different. Halios Laguna is more of the square, cushion shape vintage diver.

No doubt both of them used IWC AT for inspiration. Many companies have done the inner rotating bezel, with the colored section of the inner bezel.
 
#12 ·
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I really like this one from Momentum...hummm...could it be the color of the inner bezel????? Maybe the minute hand???? I like the inner rotating bezel....seen it on some other watches...and really like the feature. I also like the black rubber strap...which would be my strap choice to wear most of the time. I also like the size of it....as 44mm is fine for this watch as I am sure it would wear larger due to the lack of a significant sized bezel!!! Nice review......and really nice watch!!!
 
#14 ·
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Bichondaddy wrote:
I really like this one from Momentum...hummm...could it be the color of the inner bezel????? Maybe the minute hand???? I like the inner rotating bezel....seen it on some other watches...and really like the feature. I also like the black rubber strap...which would be my strap choice to wear most of the time. I also like the size of it....as 44mm is fine for this watch as I am sure it would wear larger due to the lack of a significant sized bezel!!! Nice review......and really nice watch!!!
Lug to Lug at 54mm might well work for you nicely. Didn't want you to overlook that part combined with the 44mm case.
 
#17 ·
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Thanks for the GREAT review! Very in depth and beautiful pictures.

You do understand our warranty. It's 2 years out of the box, then if you send to us for service we will extend for another 2 years, and then a final two years after owning to the watch for four years. This applies to the majority of our watches, we pride ourselves on our after sale service.

The crown on the internal bezel is indeed rated to 300M, not to worry :).

Thanks again!
 
#18 ·
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If the crown at the 2 o'clock position was screw down then you wouldn't be able to use it while under water. That would make the inner bezel basically useless for timing purposes. Which in turn would make this a nonfunctional diving watch.
 
#24 ·
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This is a valid point for sure.

This would of course be assuming you were in a situation where you were divingdeep enough that there would be nolight and no lamp (and even then you would be able to read the time).

Perhaps an improvement for the next production batch, because it's certainly a good point :).

All of our external bezel dive watches have a luminous dot, this is the only one that doesn't.
 
#25 ·
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momentumwatch wrote:
This is a valid point for sure. 

This would of course be assuming you were in a situation where you were diving deep enough that there would be no light and no lamp (and even then you would be able to read the time).

Perhaps an improvement for the next production batch, because it's certainly a good point :).

All of our external bezel dive watches have a luminous dot, this is the only one that doesn't.
Thank you for taking the time to respond about this. It is very nice to know you that are open to suggestions from those that are potential consumers of your product.
 
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