We’ve been saying it for years, but one of the things that makes the microbrand and small independent scene so exciting is that there is truly a watch for everyone. It’s a playing field that allows makers to be incredibly obscure, follow their own strange and otherwise hard to understand impulses, and bring watches to market that simply wouldn’t exist without that individual jolt of creativity. Ianos is a great example. This is a brand that exists to explore Greek diving culture (which has a rich history) and has built a design language around traditionally Greek motifs that simply don’t exist elsewhere in watchmaking. It doesn’t really get more niche than that.
Their latest watch, the Amfivios, comes on the heels of an Ianos that couldn’t be purchased by a normal civilian enthusiast. The OYK, introduced last year, was the by the brand’s account the first Greek-designed watch ever commissioned for a military unit. The watch was made in small numbers for active members of the Underwater Demolition Command unit, and presented to that unit by Greece’s Prime Minister. It was an important moment for the brand, and naturally when word spread of the OYK’s existence, Ianos loyalists and other collectors began to request a version of the watch they could own themselves.
The new Amfivios, like the Oyk, is built on the same platform as the Dytis, which we covered here. The Dytis is really an exercise in style and design, though, whereas the Amfivios is more of a traditional tool watch in a lot of ways. The big change that most Ianos fans will notice immediately is that the bezel features a full minute scale, where recent releases have gone for a more sterile approach. The case is Grade 2 titanium and measures 41mm in diameter and 49mm lug to lug with 300 meters of water resistance. It features the brand’s “strap channel” design, which incorporates fixed lug bars and a recessed channel on the caseback for a passthrough strap to rest in while on the wrist. This a genuinely thoughtful design and allows a watch that technically measures 14.7mm in height to wear much more compactly than you’d expect.
The dial is matte black, which is a nice complement to the blasted finish of the case, with a date aperture at the 12:00 position, which has become something of an Ianos hallmark. A running seconds indicator can be found at the 6:00 position (a real one with a scale, where previous watches used this area as more of a canvas for a Greek influenced graphic touch). There’s plenty of lume in each hour marker, as well as the hands and bezel pip. The watch runs on a Sellita SW360-1 automatic movement with 56 hours of power reserve.
This is a nice looking watch that fits well within the Ianos aesthetic but is perhaps more palatable to the average customer who might not be as fully invested in the Greek culture inspired design notes of the brand’s prior efforts. It’s nice that they were able to come up with something that is more recognizable as a diver/tool watch without completely losing their identity. That said, I’m extremely curious to see how Ianos continues to grow beyond the world of the dive watch. When the Dytis launched a year ago, it was said to complete a trilogy of divers, so naturally there’s curiosity about what comes next.
Ianos has already produced and delivered the first 100 numbered Amfivios pieces to existing clients. The remaining 200 pieces from this initial batch are available to order now and will ship in the next few weeks. Ianos says the Amfivios is not a limited production piece, but “will be producing it as per interest.” The retail price is $2465.74. More information can be found on the Ianos website here.
