Fri 21 Sep 2007
Hey All!
I came across WELDER Watches a while back and was intrigued by their version of an Instrument Watch. Ever since I seen the BR instrument watch I wanted one. I had an Invicta Corduba for a short time but when I saw it was missing a screw in the back case and customer service did nothing to send me the missing screw. I got it repaired at a jeweler and then sold it off. I will NEVER get an Invicta based on their !@#$ customer service.
Anyhoooooo, back to WELDER. Ya’ll heard of U-Boat, right? The Designer Italo Fontana is the designer and he recently put together a ‘K’ series for a new line called WELDER. As you’ll see there are lots of similarity to the original U-Boat design. Niiiiiiiiice………..

Opening the shipping box I pulled out a hard carrying case. A nice compact case with the Welder Logo embossed right on it. The locks looked nice and sturdy and there’s a relieve knob for atmospheric pressure.

Pop Pop! I unclip the locks and and slowly opened the cover. There it was. A massive square Intrument watch in shiny brushed steel with black face and white luminous numerals. I faintly heard a choir of angels singing softly in the background as I gazed in awe at the K23.

Measuring at 45mm squared (55mm including the crown) the brushed finished case and bezel really caught the light. Three chrono subdials at the 6-9-12 position. Date window at 3.
Dial styling is reminiscent of U-Boat, big and bold.

If your into the hunky chunky industrial look, the K23 fits the bill to the ‘T’. It’s sorta like the Shwarzeneggar of the instrument watch styling. Some initial impressions of the watch is that the edges and corners may be a bit sharp and uncomfortable for the wrist.
Far from it. It is one of the more comfortable watches for my 7.25″ wrist. A closer look will reveal the soft curvature of the case to conform to your wrist. AND that the corners
are neither sharp and pointy to cause any intrusion. All along the case is a beveled edge. However it does appear to make for a formidable weapon if need be, me thinks.
On all four corners is a big Hex Head Cap Bolt. Dunno if this actually keeps the watch together but they sure look industrial. Heavy Duty!!

There’s the Logo on the side of the case, opposite of the crown and speaking of the crown there is the logo on there too.

There are two leather bands that come with this watch. As seen is the tan strap and then there’s the wide black strap.

Movement is the Japanese Miyota OS10. I found that pulling the crown and setting the time to be very light. I own a couple of Formex Auto’s and they all seem very heavy and a wee bit stiff when setting times and date. Just a personal observation 
As big as the watch may be I found it to be extremely comfortable. Every once in awhile your pleasantly surprised when you looked down at the “clock” strapped to your wrist. You forget you have such a monstrous time piece on.

Over all finish is clean and well executed. An excellent piece for the Hunky-Chunky Watch collectors.
Hope you enjoyed the review. Stay tune for another WELDER review in a bit.
Norman
October 7th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
hi norman
yr review was really helpful.
ive just ordered the same as yours.
please tell me, where did you order yours from and what do you think about it being a miyota os10 for £300!
best wishes
Akhtar
October 7th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Hi Akhtar.
Glad the review was helpful. I ordered my K23 from http://www.watchuseek.com from Ernie Romers. He’s has great customer service and speedy shipping.
I’ve never really had a Miyota OS10 other than the K23 and K24 Welders (K24 review coming up soon). But for £300 I might say it’s a wee bit on the high side. But the overall design and quality of the watch is too intriguing for me to pass on. I’d be happier if it was an auto for sure, say even a Miyota 8925, sacrificing the chrono feature.
Cheers,
Norman
October 29th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Hi,
I don’t understand the the marking sequence on the outside of the dial. Is there any particular reason for the 0 - 60 spots with the 10 increments between 10 sec and 20 sec; the style between 15 and 30 sec and the arrows pointing between 45 and 5 sec. Is there a function to these, or is it just for effect? Also, do you know where this watch is made? I see it is of Italian design, but I suppose it could be made somewhere else. I try to go to the Welder website, but the links don’t work. Thanks for any information you have.
Hodzana
October 30th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Hi Hodzana.
The numeric markings are more on effects. Does the same job, just different in terms of looks. As far as I’ve read the watch is produced in Italy. Try http://www.watchuseek.com as they have an online shop and you can ask Ernie (sales@watchuseek.com) all about the Welder series. He really nice to deal with.
Cheers,
Norman
January 15th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Hi Norman
Can I ask, what is the cost of this item?
January 19th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Hi Mark.
You can find a few of them on Ebay these days. Prices range from $439 to $525. Or you can try contacting Ernie at sales@watchuseek.com. I’ve bought a couple of Welders from him and he has exceptional service.
Cheers!
Norman
July 10th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
How do Welder watches take water?
July 10th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Personally I’ve never got mine wet. It may be water resistant up to 5 ATM but I never tried showering or swimming with it.
Norman
July 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Im thinking about getting the k-23 similar to the one shown but without chrono. Does the k-23 luminate well at night?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Hi Austin.
Well, in comparison to a Seiko Diver the lume is far from comparison. Even after you blast it under direct light you might get a hour of good lume. It fades rather quickly.
HTH,
Norman
July 16th, 2008 at 9:15 am
hey Norman!
i found your review and started smiling!
i own the k23 too and didnt ever see anyone whos got it too:)
i totally agree to your oppinions!
i just have one problem, the firtst leatherband almost broke because it became rough.i think the reason is sweating and fluid in general. i still have the black leather band but i think ill need some other bands soon!
can you tell me where i can get some more of these leatherbands for the k23?
sincerely henning!
July 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Hey Henning!
Cheers for the kind words! What with the recent comments dropping in on this review I’m REALLY missing my K23. Big regrets for selling it.
Sorry to hear your strap is broke! The straps, as I recall where really stiff in the beginning. BUT your in luck! I’m am premiering my own Custom Handmade Leather Straps.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=167258
I can possibly make you a new strap. Otherwise you could email Ernie Romers from WUS to order a new one.
Let me know! Leave a comment and I’ll email you back.
Cheers,
Norman
July 26th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Hi Norman,
When I read your review of the K23 last year, it was one of the reason why I purchased the same one as yours.
I cant believe you’ve let yours go 8-(
I don’t see any of the steel case/ black dial chrono’s anywhere and have a feeling they will be something of a rarity for the future…sorry, hope i’m not rubbing it in too much
I did’nt purchase mine from Ernie, so should I return mine direct to Welder in order to change the battery. I could do it myself, but was’nt sure about wiping out the warranty.
I’m a short while away from getting a U-Boat, but not sure between the Classico, Flightdeck or Thousands of Feet…any advice?
Watches by Italo Fontana seem to be the last of my evils
Regards
Akhtar
August 19th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Thanks guys for theses reviews
August 19th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hi Akhtar!
So sorry on the late reply. Haven’t been on the net too much lately due to work.
Regarding a battery change I think a good local jeweler can do so for you. I have a case back opener and do all my own battery changes. Regarding the warranty I’m not sure about that. Maybe you can contact Welder to see where they stand on that.
Meanwhile I’m keeping my eyes open for any K23’s on the secondary market… ;(
Cheers!
Norman