Are you afraid of the dark? No, really—it’s one of the most common phobias and for good reason. The dark represents the unknown, the impossible, and the very idea of danger. And while that uncertainty often leads to an understandable (and innately biological) fear reaction, it also makes the dark exciting beyond measure. Why else would we send divers down to the crushingly dark abyss of the deep ocean? New York City-based microbrand Wren has taken that question head on, and turned it into a dive piece that embodies the environment it’s inspired by: The Wren Diver One Abyss.
The single most striking thing about the Abyss is, of course, its namesake. The dial is black, with a black bezel, but it’s not a “normal” black; instead, Wren has made use of the Koyo Orient Japan-derived Musou Black water-based acrylic paint that absorbs 99.4% of visible light. Unlike other such “superblack” paints, like the infamous Vantablack, Musou Black is commercially available, and while it’s not quite as dark as the former, it bears a lot of similarities in composition. Koyo keeps the full breakdown close to their proverbial chest, but basically, what makes it “darker than dark” is its ability to bounce light back out, giving the human eye nothing to latch onto. This makes the color read as bottomless, giving it a strange, disconcerting “depth”, which Wren furthers by using a sandwich construction method for the markings and indexes (additionally coated with Super-LumiNova). Basically, the markings are cut through the Musou Black top plate to reveal the lume layer beneath making them appear to float in that dark abyss, unable to catch or throw light or shadow.
Underneath the excitement of the Musou Black is a capable dive watch, based on Wren’s first such piece, the Diver One Aqua. The case measures in at 41mm in diameter and 47mm lug-to-lug, with 13.3mm in thickness with the anti-reflective, domed sapphire crystal. The signed screw-down crown allows for 200 meters of water resistance, so you can’t really take the Abyss down to its actual namesake, but it is a proper dive watch in caliber and finish. Both the case and the provided 22mm bracelet are stainless steel with a scratch-resistant DLC coating, meaning the Abyss should hold up to daily-wear duties just fine. The unidirectional bezel is up to the task, 120 clicks and a lumed 60-minute scale, making it visible from any starting point in the dark, a rare feature that will be appreciated by anyone using the Abyss for its intended purpose.
Inside, a robust and reliable Sellita SW200 automatic movement provides a 38-hour power reserve; this also keeps the price down, and makes the Abyss easily serviceable, which is always a plus for a microbrand watch. On the back of the case, polished wren iconography and the model name and individual number can be found. The box additionally includes a black FKM rubber strap for sportier endeavours.
With the clever use of Musou Black, Wren has made a compelling new addition to their burgeoning Diver One line, and one unlikely to find a competitor at a similar price point. Unlike watches bearing Vantablack, the Diver One Abyss comes in at a reasonable $1,195, making it both an affordable, capable diver, and a relatively accessible conversation piece. The first run is limited to 100 numbered pieces, and each Abyss watch carries a two-year warranty from Wren. Wren
