With their many years of combined collecting and reviewing experience – as well as that of running a microbrand for some time now – the folks over at Erebus are releasing their most detailed watch yet. The Nexus is an integrated bracelet GADA watch, and in usual Erebus fashion, comes ready with a multitude of dial options and two movements, with the choice of Japanese or Swiss mechanical (the first time the Aussie brand is offering one). Coming from a bunch of experienced enthusiasts, it’s no surprise the Nexus is loaded with features that look as great on a spec sheet as they do in person, all coming in at the usually reasonable Erebus pricing.
What is it?
Curves. That’s the one idea that guided every element of the Nexus’ design. The indices, hands (and their counterbalance), the case flanks, bracelet links, and even the stamped tapisserie pattern’s humps are all subtly domed. For those happy to stick with a Miyota calibre, you can choose between four dial executions – lacquer, aventurine, fade, or tapisserie – with those latter two available in two and three different colours, respectively. Impressively, all have colour-matched date windows regardless of colourway, something that is not a given, especially at the price point. If you want to upgrade to a Sellita movement, your choice is limited to “just” three colours of the hand-made mother-of-pearl mosaic dials. And I say just in jest, as it’s hardly a compromise given their uniqueness.
The case is steel and with 100 metres of water-resistance, measuring 39mm in diameter, 10.7mm in height, and with a 44mm lug-to-lug length. The mid-case gets a thin strip of horizontal brushing, sandwiched between large polished facets, and sitting below a very tall, sloping bezel. For once, the result is a watch that has a greater visual bulk than how it feels when worn, as that mid-case curves ever so gently, but enough to hug the wrist just right.
Most of the design work clearly went into the bracelet, tapering from 24mm to 17mm. Each link has a domed radius, with a 45(ish)-degree scalloping – it’s an oversimplification of the finishing process, as the result looks a lot more complex, and gives what would otherwise be a fairly basic H-link construction excellent presence and a premium look. Speaking of finishing, once you fold open the butterfly clasp, you’ll find its interior has been given a perlage finish, a touch I wouldn’t expect for the price, but absolutely appreciate. For the best-possible fit, you also get a pair of slightly longer links on either side of the clasp in lieu of a micro-adjustment system.
Despite originating (perhaps it’d be more accurate to say being assembled) nearly 10,000 kilometres apart, the Sellita SW200 and Miyota 9015 that are available with the Erebus Nexus are remarkably similar calibres. Both measure 11.5 lignes, beat at 4Hz, and have power reserves of around 40 hours. They do have their differences, however. The Miyota is notably thinner, (though this makes no impact on the Nexus’ dimensions) and has a three-screw fastening system for the rotor, while the Sellita winds in both directions. What will matter most for daily use, however, is their accuracy. Sellita’s starter grade is adjusted in two positions with the wides accuracy band between +/- 30 seconds per day, while Miyota claims the 9015 to sit between -10/+30.
First impressions
Ever since the release of the Twenty-Four, it became clear that Erebus is content leaving their comfort zone established with the Ascent and Origin. Whereas those were essentially the perfect micro takes on the archetypal diver and daily, they weren’t exactly adventurous or risky when it came to design. As the brand continues to grow however, and thanks to those watches providing a very well-established baseline, we’re seeing more novel takes on classic recipes. The Nexus isn’t revolutionary in shape, but all of its touches come together in a quietly impressive manner.
While I’ve only had the pleasure of seeing the Turquoise Fade colourway in person, it would likely be the one I’d pick. The brushing emanating from the 12 o’clock index is a fun way to change things up, and the gradient ending in a colour-matched date window is the kind of detail you would expect from the folks who spend plenty of time looking at other watches under a macro lens. That said, if you want the full Nexus experience, it’s the tapisserie pattern you want, as it fully leans into the idea of curves inspiring every aspect of the design.
Being a sportier integrated design, the dimensions don’t really tell the full story, and the watch wears larger than they suggest, especially because of that non-articulating first bracelet link. Thankfully, the lug-to-lug is compact enough, and the link curves down in a way that I’d expect most wrists to be satisfied with. The rest of the bracelet is where this watch comes together, and you can really tell the Erebus team spent a lot of time ensuring it shines, almost to the point where the watch feels overbraceleted, considering how wildly three-dimensional the links are. I would’ve loved to see some sort of toolless adjustment system for the butterfly clasp, but that’s probably asking too much for that style of fastening at this price point.
Erebus Nexus pricing and full specifications
The Erebus Nexus is available in nine total dial variants, and a choice of Miyota 9015 or Sellita SW200-1. Price: starting from A$669 (pre-order), starting from A$829 (RRP). Find Erebus watches in the WatchPoint Melbourne showroom.
