Bersigar Ocular 1701 — Black & Gold Steel Edition
The watch
The Bersigar Ocular 1701 Black & Gold Steel is a 40mm chronograph with a matte black dial, powered by a Seiko VK36 meca-quartz chronograph movement. It brings a fixed tachymeter scale bezel, 100m water resistance and a sapphire crystal. On the ChronoSeasons dial it sits at Hour V — Chronograph, part of the Expedition season — and suits motorsport fans and aviation enthusiasts.
BERSIGAR Chronograph: Black & Gold Steel Edition
The BERSIGAR Chronograph Black & Gold Steel Edition merges classic motorsport racing heritage with sophisticated two-tone luxury styling. Defined by a balanced 40mm stainless steel case, an engraved black tachymeter bezel framed by an opulent gold-tone rim, a matte black dial detailed with gleaming gold indices and hands, and a solid multi-link stainless steel bracelet, this timepiece delivers an elevated track-inspired aesthetic engineered for everyday wear.
Powered by the Seiko Japanese TMI VK-series meca-quartz movement, the caliber unites quartz-regulated timing accuracy with a mechanical chronograph mechanism that offers a smooth sweeping central seconds hand, tactile pusher engagement, and an instantaneous zero-reset flyback. The dial features three sunken black sub-registers tracking 60-minute elapsed timing, continuous running seconds, and a 24-hour cycle, balanced by applied gold-finished baton indices with strong luminous fill, luminous gold-tone hands, and a discreet date aperture at 4:30. Machined from solid 316L brushed and polished stainless steel, the watch is equipped with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a knurled screw-down crown, classic pump pushers, and 10 BAR (100M) water resistance.
Key Highlights
Seiko Japanese Meca-Quartz Movement: Hybrid chronograph engine offering quartz precision, a sweeping central chronograph seconds hand, and instant mechanical flyback reset.
Gold-Trimmed Black Tachymeter Bezel: Fixed external bezel featuring a high-contrast black tachymetric insert with gold-gilt graduations, framed by an elegant polished gold-tone outer ring.
Black & Gold Tri-Compax Dial: Purpose-built matte black dial accented with polished gold-tone baton hour markers, gold luminous hands, and a date window at 4:30.
Solid 316L Stainless Steel Construction: Robust 40mm case featuring brushed upper facets, polished chamfers, and an ergonomic 47mm lug-to-lug profile.
Multi-Link 316L Steel Bracelet: Contoured stainless steel link bracelet alternating between satin-brushed and polished elements, secured by a comfort folding deployant clasp.
Sapphire Crystal & 10 BAR Water Resistance: Anti-reflective, fingerprint-coated sapphire crystal paired with a threaded screw-down crown and sealed caseback for 100-meter water resistance.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Brand | BERSIGAR |
| Model | Chronograph (Black & Gold Steel Edition) |
| Movement | Seiko Japanese TMI VK36 Meca-Quartz Chronograph (Sweeping Seconds Hand) |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm Diameter × 13.7mm Thickness |
| Lug-to-Lug | 47mm |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Case Material | Solid 316L Brushed & Polished Stainless Steel |
| Strap Material | Solid 316L Stainless Steel |
| Bracelet Style | Multi-Link Sports Bracelet |
| Bezel Style | Fixed Tachymeter Scale Bezel (Black Insert with Gold Rim) |
| Dial Color | Matte Black with Gold Accents & Tri-Compax Black Sub-Registers |
| Luminescence | Strong Lume on Applied Gold Baton Indices and Hands |
| Complications | 60-Minute Chronograph, 24-Hour Indicator, Running Seconds, Date (4:30), Tachymeter |
| Glass | Sapphire Crystal (Anti-Reflective & Fingerprint Coating) |
| Crown & Pushers | Threaded Screw-Down Crown with Classic Pump Pushers |
| Clasp | Comfort Folding Mechanism |
| Weight | 138g |
| Water Resistance | 10 BAR / 100 Meters |
Good to know
It runs on a Seiko VK36 meca-quartz chronograph movement. It keeps quartz accuracy while the chronograph has a crisp, mechanical-feeling push and reset.
Yes for swimming. It is rated to 100m (10 ATM), which covers rain, hand-washing and pool or sea swimming. It is not intended for scuba diving, and avoid hot showers and saunas.
The case measures 40mm — a versatile size that suits most wrists (roughly 15.5-19 cm / 6.1-7.5 in). Our watch size guide (/pages/watch-size-guide) explains how to measure your wrist.
It has a matte black with gold accents & tri-compax black sub-registers dial, framed by a fixed tachymeter scale bezel, under an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
Yes. Other versions we carry include the Bersigar Ocular 1701 Rose Gold Champagne. Availability changes with stock, so the collection page always shows what is in stock today.
On the ChronoSeasons dial it sits at Hour V — Chronograph, part of the Expedition season, and suits driving days, flights and timing anything that matters.
Yes. It ships brand-new and boxed from the brand's verified channel. Unworn watches can be returned within 30 days of delivery.
From the journal
Owners say
At $255 I half expected the gold tone to look brassy or the bracelet to rattle. Instead, the brushing and polishing on the 316L steel are clean, the sapphire crystal is super clear, and the pushers feel solid.
Appreciate you giving us a try, Daniel! Glad the finishing and pusher feel impressed you right out of the box.
Because it uses a meca-quartz movement, the 40mm case is slim enough to slide right under my dress shirt cuffs at the accounting firm. The black and gold colorway pairs nicely with a brown belt and navy suit.
I own several mechanical chronographs, and the Seiko VK36 meca-quartz in this 1701 has a surprisingly crisp start/stop click and instant zero reset. The tri-compax sub-registers are balanced nicely on the matte black dial, and the tachymeter bezel engraving is clean. Despite being 40mm, the solid 316L steel build gives the watch some real heft that took a couple days to get used to.
Thanks for the review, Alan! That solid 316L steel case and bracelet definitely give the 40mm Ocular 1701 a substantial feel.
Wore this sailing on the Chesapeake Bay last weekend. The 100m water resistance, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and high-contrast matte black dial handled sun glare and spray without any issues on my wrist.
Most chronographs only have 30m or 50m water resistance, so having 100m WR on this 40mm Ocular 1701 means I can wear it out on Lake Conroe without worrying about splashes. Solid 316L steel bracelet feels durable.
Been wearing this to the office and out on weekends. The gold accents against the matte black dial look much more subtle and classy in real light than I expected from the photos.
The Seiko VK36 meca-quartz caliber is a clever choice for a 40mm racing chronograph. You get grab-and-go quartz accuracy with the crisp mechanical pusher feel and instant flyback reset of a mechanical chrono. The matte black dial with gold accents and tri-compax sub-registers has zero glare under the AR sapphire crystal, and the 40mm case fits my wrist well.
Matte black dial with gold accents looks sharp. Fits my 6.5-inch wrist after sizing.
