Dual time made simple: the UBIQ Dual Series 01

Many people in the watch world are always arguing about what is the most useful complication, the one that really gives us functionality and sometimes persuade us to pour our hard earn money into an object that we do not really need, This is when GMT watches come into the scene.

Tracking 2 time zones (or more) has been among the favourites complications when it comes to us watch lovers. There is also a big debate that a dual time zone watch should be represented by a jumping hour mechanism or by a jumping GMT hand, more often refereed as a travellers GMT or a desk GMT respectively. Whichever is the right path, there is a simpler third way: when everything is done by the bezel. It has so many added benefits such as a simpler mechanics and also the fact that is being true to the original dual time zone tracker: the Glycine Airman.

Today we have the Dual Series from the Singapore based brand UBIQ. Fully funded on Kickstarter, the brand is set to deliver one of the most vibrant watches I reviewed this year so far, this is due to the colours used and bold designs that set it apart.

Join me to discover their first charming watch that brings quite a bit of a punch.

The specifications

When it comes to specs, we can safely say that UBIQ did their homework. The Dual series has the golden ratio proportions at least for me when it comes to tool/casual watches. The Case is 39mm in diameter with a 47mm lug to lug length, it fits well on my 6.25-inch wrist.

For our review we got the Beetred variant which includes a matte purple dial with red accents, basically reminds you of a beetroot, in a good way of course (not a fan of the vegetable). Coming back to the dial, there is an amount of detail to take notice; a red hour highlights the markers which are rounded squares with the exception of the 6 clock, in here can find the date, very symmetrical.

This red hand also is used to track our second time zone with the dual line bezel. The bezel can be used as a timer using the first line and a second time zone on with the hours on the top, also, everything is lumed giving that extra kick of functionality at night.

The case is also very well made, the are plenty transition from brushed to polish surfaces. The side of the Dual Series is bead blasted; it accentuates the curvature of the thin case well.

Powering the watch we have a Miyota 9015 high beat under the closed case back. Keeps good time and perhaps our only ounce of criticism for the movement is the limitation to 42 hours of power reserve, it would be nice to see a lower beat rate with a larger power reserve, but we do enjoy that it keeps the price down.

On the wrist

With the proportions mentioned you can already imagine that the watch wears well. This is also aid by the thickness which is 11.5mm including the sapphire crystal, overall,  it is a very thin watch.

The stainless-steel bracelet is also responsible for the comfort of the Dual Series. It is well machined, and it feels like an integrated style one. We really enjoyed the uncomplicated clasp and quick change system of this bracelet, it is easy to swap and I am glad to report that UBIQ also adds and extra rubber strap, in our case a bright red completed the package.

Conclusions

Sometimes re-inventing the wheel is not such a good idea. The easiest way is the best one and it is true that we as watch enthusiast are also full of fuzz and enjoy unnecessary refinement such as an extra hand on a watch but it is refreshing to have seen that the Dual Series works and performs, nothing more than good design.  The Dual Series is a watch that you do not need to baby, it is not only a pretty face but also a tool, a vibrant one.

The UBIQ Dual Series comes in a variety of shades ad although we still believe our Beetred is one of the coolest. You should check out the other colours which include: an aquamarine and orange (Seaset), a black and yellow (Bumble), a blue and silver (Navysilver) and a green and grey (Applesour).

All of the watches are available via Kickstarter at 529 GBP for final price and 519 USD on Kickstarter with a delivery in June 2024.

Specifications

Materials: 316L stainless steel, aluminium sand-blasted bezel insert and raised flat sapphire crystal with curved edges and inner AR coating

Bracelet/Strap: Brushed flat link stainless steel quick-release screw pin bracelet (20mm to 16mm taper) with 5 holes micro-adjust clasp and colour-matched quick-release FKM rubber strap

Lume: C1/black lume-filled numbers on bezel, polished silver applied indices with BGW9 lume fill on dial and custom hands with C1 lume

Movement: Miyota 9015, 28,800 beats, 42 hours power reserve with custom date and hacking seconds

Water resistance: 200m/660ft via screw-down crown and solid engraved caseback

Dimensions

39mm diameter

47mm lug to lug

20mm lug width

11.5mm thick (incl. sapphire)

More info at https://ubiqwatches.com/