Introducing The Second Hour Gin Clear Mk3, A Refreshingly Premium Australian Dive Watch

Australia makes some of the best gin in the world, thanks to our unique native botanicals and high water quality, but we're not here to talk about juniper-flavoured spirits. "Gin clear" is actually an idiom that refers to water of exceptional clarity (think crystal clear, but with a Commonwealth flavour), the likes of which anglers and skin divers dream about. It's this idiom that Australian independent watch brand Second Hour employed for the name of its inaugural watch collection, which is now in its third iteration - and just as triple-distilling a gin makes it smoother and more refined, the new Gin Clear Mk3 represents Second Hour's most clarified, considered watch model yet.

The Gin Clear Mk1, which was released in 2020, was something of a Kickstarter success story: it smashed its initial funding goal in only 33 minutes and hit its stretch goals in just 12 hours, emblematic of its strong combination of specs and value for money. The Mk2, which debuted in 2023, was a step up in terms of refinement and was more visually distinct. Another three years on, and the Mk3 continues this trend of premiumisation.

There's a fine line between visual acuity, uniqueness and making something that looks premium when designing a watch dial, especially for a tool watch, and this is where the Gin Clear Mk3 really improves upon things. The slightly tacky logo-shaped counterweight on the seconds hand and the striations on its prominent 12, 4 and 8 o'clock indices from the Mk2 have disappeared, and the handset is now beefier to accommodate more lume.

Four dial colours are available for the Mk3: Sunburst Black and Arctic White (which have ceramic bezel inserts) plus Emerald and Rhodium Grey (which have anodised aluminium bezel inserts). The latter is the standout, offering a subtle sunburst finish and a surprisingly distinct monochromatic look.

The Gin Clear's 40mm case has also been refined, with the biggest update being an all-new, ball-bearing bezel mechanism that offers a satisfyingly crisp, taut action. Polished bevels on each edge of the lugs, which curve down pleasantly, give the Gin Clear Mk3 a subtle elegance. (The Mk3's lugs also feature revised spring bar clearances so they can fit a wider range of aftermarket straps, responding to customer feedback.)

At the same time, it's been surface hardened to 1,200 Vickers, and its crown's aggressive knurling plus its 300-metre water-resistance rating remind you that this is a tool watch first and foremost. A dapper 5-link bracelet terminates in a large, milled folding clasp with on-the-fly micro-adjustment.

Under the hood, the ubiquitous Sellita SW200 powers the Second Hour Gin Clear Mk3. The price? A$1,325, which is almost double what the Mk1 was priced at in 2020, but nevertheless represents a decent value proposition in this competitive market segment.

A lot of watch brands, especially microbrands, play in the dive watch space, but not all indie divers are made equal. The Second Hour Gin Clear has always been a cut above, perhaps thanks to founder Peter Sargison's extensive scuba experience. It might seem facile to say that this Mk3 is the best version of the Gin Clear yet - you'd kind of hope so, right? But it is indeed a cracking watch. I've been wearing one around the office (yes, I'm a desk diver, even if Peter isn't), and I've been mightily impressed by how comfortable, premium and distinct it feels.

Brand: Second Hour
Model: Gin Clear Mk3
Diameter: 40mm (41mm including bezel overhang)
Thickness: 12.2mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47mm
Case Material: 316L stainless steel with 1200 Vickers surface hardening
Dial Colour: Sunburst Black, Arctic White, Rhodium Grey or Emerald
Lume: Super-LumiNova BGW9 across the bezel, hands and indices
Water Resistance: 30 ATM (300 metres)
Strap/Bracelet: Solid screw link bracelet with solid end links, quick-release spring bars and on-the-fly micro-adjustment, 22mm lug width

Calibre: Sellita SW200
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power Reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4Hz
Jewels: 26
Chronometer Certified: No

Price: A$1,325
Availability: From 6 pm AEST May 22nd 2026
Limited Edition: No

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