For the last two weeks, the newest edition of the Geckota Ocean Scout – that’s the one suitably nicknamed “Sienna Brown” with the gold-plated case and warm chocolate dial and bezel – has been my reliable wrist companion. I’ve taken it everywhere with me; it’s battled rainy dog walks, mediocre workouts and boring bouts at my desk. Here’s how it lived up…
Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown Gold - Credit Guest Author
I’ve always liked the look of bronze on watches. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about the warmth of the metal; it’s not quite as cool as yellow gold nor quite as pink as typical rose gold. It sits somewhere in the middle. The only “downside” to bronze - and I use that term very lightly - is that it develops its own unique patina, darkening and changing colour over time as the metal reacts to your skin. It’s certainly a fun concept and one that I know many people enjoy. For me though, I’ve always wanted a bronze watch that stays bronze.
When I first saw the Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown watch in person, my immediate reaction was “wow, is that a bronze watch?”. The answer that followed was no. It’s not a bronze watch but the shade of gold plating used on its 316L stainless steel case has a really close resemblance to the patina-pending metal we all love. It’s the best of both worlds in my opinion. It looks like bronze, and yet won’t develop a patina of any kind. Sure, the case will no doubt wear a little over the years, but it’s warm gold coating will remain.
Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown Gold - Credit Guest Author
The Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown watch marks the first time the British brand’s adventurer’s watch brings gold to the case. All of the gold-plated hardware of the watch is beautifully polished including the case sides and lugs, the knurled screw in crown and the strap loops and pin buckle on the military nylon or leather strap.
The case sits surprisingly well on my small 5-and-a-half-inch wrist; it makes a statement but it’s still incredibly comfortable, especially with the brown military nylon strap. Dimensions of the watch sit at 38.5mm wide and 11.8mm tall. I have to admit, if I saw these specs online, I’d shy away from a watch of this size, but after trying it on, it’s made me realise these are just numbers after all. It’s all about the case construction and how it moulds to the wrist. In my opinion, the Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown does exactly that, conforms comfortably around my arm thanks to its curved lugs and flat screw down case back. I always noticed it was there, but not because of its size, but more so because of its stylings.
Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown Gold - Credit Guest Author
As for the dial and bezel, if there was ever a time to use brown on the Ocean Scout, it was one with a gold-plated case. This combination of colours is beautiful. The exact colour used on the bezel is Pantone 7594C. It’s a beautiful warm, reddish shade of brown that Geckota has named Sienna Brown. The bezel is still unidirectional and delivers the 60 minute scale in white. A really nice touch, and proof of Geckota’s attention to detail, is the pip at 12 o’clock which is also done in gold.
While the bezel has a hint of red in it, the dial of the Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown watch is finished in a pure chocolatey brown. It’s technically not a gradient dial, but in certain lighting, the shadow of the bezel makes the outskirts of the dial look darker than the centre. It’s really well executed and gives the entire watch a vintage, autumnal aesthetic; one that definitely suits woodland walks in wellies.
Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown Gold - Credit Guest Author
Placed upon the dial is a fitting set of beige-coloured raised numerals and baton indexes and warm gold-plated hands for the hours, minutes and seconds. The hands are nicely polished and alongside the hour markers glow in the dark thanks to their generous application of BGW9 Superluminova. Additional details on the dial include the Geckota and Ocean Scout logos and lettering to confirm its water resistant rating of 200 metres.
Powering the classic time-only display of the Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown watch is the tried-and-tested Miyota 9039 automatic winding movement. During the two weeks wearing this watch, I had no issues with the accuracy of the movement which claims to sit between -10 to +30 seconds per day. It also lived up to its 42-hour power reserve. The movement is hidden from view behind a closed engraved case back which features the familiar compass logo of the Ocean Scout collection.
Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown Gold - Credit Guest Author
I was given the Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown watch on two straps: a brown calfskin leather strap or a brown military nylon band. Both were extremely comfortable and paired with the autumnal, outdoorsy aesthetic of the Ocean Scout well. Of the two, I found myself opting for the military nylon strap the most. I feel it matches the watch’s adventurous spirit best and suits my own non-stop lifestyle.
All in all, the Geckota Ocean Scout Sienna Brown is a fantastic watch, and the combination of colours and coatings used on the case, dial and bezel make it my favourite out of the entire collection. It’s insanely attractive, comfortable and a robust piece of kit that I know would fare well in environments much harsher than the South Yorkshire countryside on my doorstep. And I still haven’t quite got over its price tag of £499…
