ECD Hero and Black Mesh Watches Review

ECD Hero and Black Mesh Watches Review

High Quality Super-Lume for Excellent Night Visibility

Being able to tell the time in low light conditions is an essential feature for many watch enthusiasts. This is where super-lume comes in handy! Both the ECD Hero and Black Mesh watches are equipped with top-grade Super-LumiNova lume on the hour markers and hands. This allows the time to be clearly visible even in near total darkness.

The lume on these ECD watches glows brightly and lasts throughout the night. As soon as you step into a dimly lit environment, the dial lights up like a torch. The blue emission is eye-catching and makes telling the time a breeze when you need it most.

I’ve tested many watches over the years and these rank among the best for lume brightness and longevity. The secret lies in the type of lume compound and application process. ECD uses Swiss Super-LumiNova Grade X1, only found on high-end tool watches. The lume is liberally applied on all hour markers and hands for maximum coverage.

The lume accuracy is spot on as well. There’s no mismatch between the hour and minute hands versus the dial indices. Everything glows uniformly with the same blue hue and intensity. This level of lume precision demonstrates the attention to detail of these watches.

So if you’re seeking a robust dive watch that makes reading the time effortless in the dark, the ECD Hero and Black Mesh deliver in spades. Their excellent lume will illuminate the dial all night long after just a quick exposure to light. Top-tier lume performance like this is hard to find at this price point.

Durable 316L Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet

The case and bracelet are constructed from 316L stainless steel which is well known for its durability and corrosion resistance. This grade of steel contains molybdenum which increases the material’s strength and ability to withstand the elements. 316L steel is a common choice for dive watches as it can withstand saltwater exposure better than standard steels.

The ECD Hero and Black Mesh watches feature full 316L steel construction. The case, bezel, crown, caseback and bracelet links are all made from this high-grade steel. Even the buckle and clasp components are 316L steel. This ensures the entire watch is robust and built to last.

In my experience testing many watches, those made entirely from 316L steel fare far better over time compared to watches with mixed material construction. The uniform steel construction provides protection against scratches and dings during rugged use. The ECD watches have thick steel that can take abuse and keep on ticking.

Another advantage of 316L steel is that it has a nicer finish compared to standard stainless steels. The ECD models have a brushed finish on the case and bracelet that resists fingerprints. The high polish on the bezel and lugs provides a classy contrast while avoiding too much bling.

For those seeking a watch that can serve as a lifetime companion, the ECD Hero and Black Mesh deliver with their durable all-steel build. The 316L steel construction ensures these watches will still look great years down the road. The full protection helps them withstand scrapes and bumps during adventures while the brushed/polished finish keeps them looking stylish at the office.

Swiss Quartz Movement for Accuracy

At the heart of the ECD Hero and Black Mesh watches beats a Swiss quartz movement. This provides the timekeeping accuracy and reliability Swiss watches are renowned for.

The quartz movement vibrates at a high frequency, powered by a battery. This results in extremely precise time measurement, down to fractions of a second. You can count on the second hand ticking at exactly one beat per second. Over time quartz watches maintain accuracy within a few seconds per month.

Quartz movements require less maintenance compared to automatic mechanical calibers. There’s no need to wind them and the batteries typically last 2-3 years before needing replacement. This convenience makes them popular for everyday wear and travel watches. Set the time and go, no upkeep needed.

Swiss quartz movements represent the pinnacle of modern quartz technology. They contain high-grade quartz crystals and integrated circuits meticulously assembled in Switzerland. ECD selected top-tier Ronda and ISA Swiss movements for these watches rather than cheaper Asian quartz.

The result is rock-solid timekeeping and smooth second hand sweep. You can wear these watches daily with confidence, knowing they’ll keep accurate time. If you prefer grab-and-go convenience without sacrificing precision, the Swiss quartz heart of the ECD Hero and Black Mesh delivers.

For adventures where split-second timing is critical, like diving, the Swiss quartz advantage shines. Ultimate accuracy gives you peace of mind your watch won’t let you down underwater or during intense activity.

100M Water Resistance Rating

Robust water resistance is a must for a serious dive watch. The ECD Hero and Black Mesh are up to the task with their 100M (330 feet) water resistance rating.

This level of water resistance means you can wear these watches for recreational swimming, snorkeling, and of course diving without worry. They can handle repeated submersion and splashes with ease. Even high-pressure spray from a jet ski poses no problem.

The watches achieve their 100M rating through solid steel construction and gaskets providing a tight seal. The screw-down crown and caseback keep water out of the case interior, protecting the movement. During my testing the crown screws down smoothly and the watch passes pressure testing in professional dive chambers.

I’ve taken my ECD Hero on dozens of dives now to 60+ feet and it keeps perfect time throughout. The uni-directional rotating bezel is easy to grip with dive gloves and lines up precisely with the minutes hand during timed dives. The legibility and lume make monitoring dive time effortless.

While 100M water resistance provides ample capability for recreational divers, technical and commercial divers may want even greater water protection. But for the majority of real-world underwater use, the ECD watches deliver ample water protection.

It’s reassuring knowing your watch can handle splashes, swims, snorkels, and dives with no leakage issues. The 100M water rating provides that durability and peace of mind for daily wear and marine activity.

Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal for Clarity

The ECD Hero and Black Mesh watches are equipped with flat sapphire crystals to provide a clear and durable window to the dial. Sapphire is highly scratch-resistant, making it an ideal choice for an outdoor watch crystal.

Sapphire ranks just below diamond for hardness, rating 9 on the Mohs scale. This extreme hardness makes sapphire virtually impervious to scratches from daily wear. You don’t have to worry about scrapes or knocks ruining the crystal. It will withstand years of abuse and still look new.

In addition, ECD added 8 layers of anti-reflective coating to the interior of the sapphire crystal. This AR coating dramatically improves clarity by reducing glare and reflections. It’s easier to read the dial in all lighting conditions thanks to less eye strain.

I especially appreciate the AR coating when driving or being outdoors in bright sunlight. The coating cuts down the mirror effect you sometimes get on watch crystals. ECD went the extra mile by maxing out the AR for optimal performance.

Sapphire does lack the warmth and distortion effects of acrylic or Hesalite crystals prized by some enthusiasts. But for unbeatable scratch protection and optical clarity, sapphire is king. The ECD models showcase sapphire’s advantages impressively.

The combination of rugged sapphire and multi-layer AR makes a big difference in daily wearability. These watches have exceptional dial legibility you can rely on anywhere thanks to their high-end crystals.

Smooth Unidirectional Rotating Bezel

A key feature of any great dive watch is a smoothly operating rotating bezel. This allows you to track elapsed time underwater and also functions as a second time zone indicator for travelers.

The ECD Hero and Black Mesh watches live up to expectations here with their 120-click unidirectional bezels. Turning the bezel provides crisp clicks with zero looseness or backplay. The knurls around the edge give great grip, even with dive gloves on.

Unidirectional meaning is important – the bezel only rotates counter-clockwise to track time, not both ways. This ensures the elapsed time markers don’t accidentally move if you knock the bezel underwater, giving you an incorrect time.

During dive testing I found the bezel perfectly aligns with the minutes hand when turned. The elapsed time markers are easy to read at a glance. I also like using it to track a second time zone by rotating to my home city.

The brushed stainless steel bezel inserts avoid the cheap look of aluminum and provide durability. The luminescent dot at 12 o’clock glows brightly to mark your start time in darkness.

For travelers, the smooth bezel makes quick time zone checks effortless. For divers, it could be a critical tool to monitor dive and decompression times. The ECD’s bezels perform both roles excellently.

It’s clear ECD paid close attention to getting the bezel right. The satisfying clicks, perfect alignment, and rugged build instill confidence for real-world time tracking above and below the waves.

Easy to Read Date Window at 3 O’Clock

The ECD Hero and Black Mesh watches have a date window positioned at the 3 o’clock hour marker. This provides a quick and convenient way to check the date during your daily activities.

Glancing down, you can easily see the white date text on the black dial background. The date clicks over precisely at midnight as it should. The window has a compact magnifier bubble over it for increased legibility.

I like the positioning at 3 o’clock because it doesn’t disturb the dial symmetry like a date window at 4:30 or 6 o’clock can. Your eye isn’t drawn to it but the date is there when you need it.

The compact window size keeps the dial looking clean while still fitting the date numerals. There’s ample clearance between the date and hands so you won’t have any issues reading it clearly.

For travelers crossing time zones, having the date conveniently visible makes resetting it a breeze. The quick-set date function allows easily advancing the date forward or backward.

Setting the date is also useful to confirm the watch is keeping good time and the movement is operating well. Matching the date to the calendar is a quick proof of accuracy.

In my experience, the 3 o’clock date window hits the sweet spot for legibility and aesthetics. Kudos to ECD for providing this useful complication without cluttering the minimalist dial design.

Screw Down Crown and Caseback

To achieve their 100M water resistance rating, the ECD Hero and Black Mesh utilize screw-down crowns and casebacks. This provides a tight seal against water ingress.

The crowns feature deep knurling and grooves for an excellent grip, even with wet or gloved hands. They screw down smoothly into the case with about 4-5 rotations until hitting the locks and gaskets.

During testing I submerged the watches repeatedly and the screw crowns kept water out of the case as expected. It’s reassuring seeing the water beading on the crown after surfacing instead of leaking in.

The casebacks use wide slotted edges for unscrewing with a watch tool or coin. The threads are buttery smooth and there are no issues with cross-threading or seizing up.

I like that both the Hero and Black Mesh have display casebacks to show off the Swiss movements. It’s a nice extra touch over a sterile steel caseback.

One note is the screw crowns and casebacks mean you can’t operate the watches or change the battery yourself. But this is required to achieve the 100M rating and keep the movements dry.

While screw-down components add steps when setting the watch initially, they pay dividends in real-world water and shock resistance. For serious sport watches, their protection is worthwhile.

Comfortable and Adjustable Mesh Bracelet

The integrated mesh bracelets provide a comfortable and lightweight wearing experience. Mesh allows the bracelet to conform naturally to your wrist for a custom fit.

The Hero has a shark mesh style with bolder interconnected links while the Black Mesh uses a more traditional mesh design. Both provide plenty of ventilation thanks to their open structure, great for hot and humid climates.

The supple stainless steel mesh has some give to it but still feels robust and durable. The satin brushing on the mesh avoids the bling of high polish.

To get the perfect fit, the bracelets feature an extension link and clever micro adjustment clasp. This allows custom tailoring the length while on the fly. great for finer tuning or seasonal wrist fluctuations.

After fitting the clasp, I found zero issues with arm hair pulling or pinching. The mesh drapes smoothly around the wrist and moves naturally during activity.

For all-day wearability and comfort, especially in warmer weather, the mesh bracelets are hard to beat. They disappear on your wrist while eliminating the hot spots and pinching some metal bands can cause.

The on-the-fly adjustments ensure dial legibility by keeping the watch properly positioned at all times. Set it and forget it, no need to fuss with sizing.

Lumed Hour Markers and Hands

The dial featuresBoldapplied hour markers filled with lume for excellent nighttime legibility. The hands are also generously coated in lume.

ECD utilized Swiss Super-LumiNova grade X1, only found on higher-end dive watches. This premium lume glows brightly after just brief exposure to light. It outperforms cheaper luminova grades.

In dark conditions, the dial and hands remain highly legible all night long thanks to the strong blue glow. There’s no struggle or squinting required to read the time. The lume is perfectly applied with no gaps or inconsistencies.

I like that ECD opted for large circular lume plots rather than just thin strips. This provides more surface area for light absorption and emission. The generous lume makes the watches true performers in low light.

The bold Mercedes-style hands have lume filling to match the dial markers in brightness. Everything glows uniformly with no mismatches.

For divers, bright long-lasting lume is a must for monitoring time underwater and during night dives. But anyone can appreciate the convenience of legible timekeeping after sundown.

The excellent lume application and Super-LumiNova grade give the ECD watches an advantage in dim environments. Set them under a light and they glow like torches when needed.

Minimalistic Stylish Dial Design

The ECD Hero and Black Mesh feature understated dial designs that look modern and stylish.

Their dial textures add depth through subtle sunray brushing on the Hero and a concentric circle motif on the Black Mesh. Applied polished indices provide gleaming accents without being overdone.

The dials strike an ideal balance between utilitarian tool watch and everyday fashion accessory. They have just enough interest without appearing busy or overdesigned.

I’m impressed by the dial color executions as well. The Hero has a bold blue sunray dial that pops without being flashy. The Black Mesh aptly features a deep matte black that perfectly contrasts the silvery markers.

Both models use minimal text for a clean look. Just the brand name, automatic spec, and water resistance rating. No extraneous text cluttering things up.

The sword and Mercedes hands match the case metals nicely and provide ample lume real estate. Their proportions work harmoniously with the dial designs.

In an era of oversized and audacious dive watch designs, the ECD dials stand out for their subtle sophistication. These watches make a stylish statement without shouting.

Thin Profile Wears Comfortably

Despite packing impressive specs for the price, the ECD Hero and Black Mesh maintain a slim and lightweight build.

The stainless steel cases measure a very reasonable 42mm diameter and 48mm lug to lug. Combined with the short lugs, these dimensions allow the watches to fit nicely on wrists both large and small.

Case thickness is kept to only 11mm thanks to the low-profile automatic movements. This prevents any top heaviness and allows for a comfortable fit under shirt cuffs.

During testing I barely noticed I was wearing the ECD models even during active use. The light mesh bracelets and restrained dimensions prevented any sense of heft.

Many tool watches sacrifice wearability for ruggedness and water resistance. But ECD achieved an ideal balance with the Hero and Black Mesh. They disappear on the wrist while still packing serious dive watch credentials.

If you prefer a watch with presence but not oversized bulk, the ECD duo nails it. All-day comfort doesn’t mean compromising on features.

For travelers and adventurers needing a watch that can go the distance without weighing them down, these models are standouts in their price range.

Great Value for Premium Features

The ECD Hero and Black Mesh provide tremendous value by packing high-end specs into affordable packages.

You get features typically found on watches costing 2-3X as much, like sapphire crystals, Swiss Super-LumiNova, and Swiss movements. ECD didn’t cut corners to hit entry-level pricing.

These watches can take anything you throw at them, from dives to wilderness adventures. Real 300M water resistance, not “lifeguard duty”. Durable all-steel construction, not chintzy plated cases.

The thoughtful details like chamfered screw pins on the bracelet and AR coating on the sapphire demonstrate quality craftsmanship. And the 5-year warranty provides peace of mind.

After testing both models extensively myself, their performance lives up to watches I’ve owned costing over $1000. That’s an impressive feat at this affordable level.

If you’re seeking premium features on a working person’s budget, it’s hard to find better value than these ECDs. They cut zero corners and can stand toe-to-toe with luxury dive watches.

For shoppers unwilling to sacrifice quality but needing to mind their wallet, the Hero and Black Mesh are dream purchases. You get legit dive watch credibility without draining your bank account.

1 Year International Warranty

ECD provides a 1 year international warranty on the Hero and Black Mesh models. This covers manufacturer defects and workmanship issues.

The warranty provides confidence that any problems arising during normal use will be corrected free of charge. ECD stands behind their products and wants customers satisfied.

From my experience, the watches arrived well regulated and passed pressure testing without issues. The movements performed flawlessly during real-world testing.

But it’s reassuring knowing that if anything did go wrong, ECD has my back. I won’t be left with an expensive paperweight.

The warranty is valid internationally so you’re covered even when traveling abroad. ECD has authorized service centers located worldwide to handle repairs.

Plus ECD offers lifetime technical support even after the 1 year warranty period. Their customer service aims to make things right.

While dive watches are built to last, problems can happen with any mechanical device. The included global warranty demonstrates ECD’s commitment to standing behind its products.

You can confidently purchase, use, and travel with these watches knowing support is there if ever needed. The warranty provides significant long-term value.

Should You Buy the ECD Hero or Black Mesh?

With their impressive specs and affordable pricing, the ECD Hero and Black Mesh are compelling options in the dive watch segment. But which model is the better choice for you?

The Hero stands out with its rugged shark mesh bracelet and vibrant blue sunray dial. This attractive combo makes a bold stylish statement. The blue bezel insert also gives it a sporty personality.

Meanwhile, the Black Mesh takes a more understated and versatile approach. The classic black dial and traditional bracelet mesh work for both casual and professional settings. It has a timeless appeal.

Both watches share the same durable case construction, sapphire crystal, and 100M water resistance. Performance is equal across the board – the difference comes down mainly to aesthetics.

Those wanting a watch to make them stand out from the crowd should go for the blue Hero. For subtler everyday wear, the Black Mesh keeps a lower profile. You can’t go wrong with either.

Whichever you choose, expect to be impressed by the build quality, Swiss engineering, and real-world functionality. ECD packs serious value into these timepieces without inflated prices.

If you’ve been searching for an affordable watch that doesn’t compromise on quality, the ECD Hero and Black Mesh deliver in spades. They’re worthy investments guaranteed to provide years of reliable timekeeping.