Mako

Name: Zelos Mako
Brand: Zelos

Entry-level Under $600

The Zelos Mako is a Singapore microbrand's flagship 40mm diver offered across stainless steel, bronze, and titanium variants, pairing 300m water resistance with a vintage-inspired box-dome sapphire crystal, 120-click ceramic bezel, and the Miyota 9015 automatic. It stands out in the sub-$600 segment for its dual-tone Super-LumiNova application and rotating selection of distinctive dial materials — meteorite, fumé teal, frosted white, and more.

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40mm

Case

300m

Water res.

13.6mm

Thick

46mm

Lug-to-lug

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Overview

Brand	Zelos
Collection	Mako
Category	Dive
Released	2020
Price guide	Entry-level · Under $600

Full specification

Specs

Case & dial

Diameter	40 mm
Lug-to-lug	46 mm
Thickness	13.6 mm
Lug width	20 mm
Water resistance	300 m
Crystal	sapphire, domed with inner AR coating
Case material	stainless steel
Bezel	unidirectional dive, 120-click, ceramic insert
Case back	solid

Movement & furniture

Type	Automatic
Caliber	Miyota 9015 →
Power reserve	42 h
Jewels	24
Lume	Super-LumiNova C3 and BGW9
Strap / bracelet	steel bracelet with rubber strap

On the wrist

Strap on the Mako V3 and the first thing you notice is how neatly it sits: 46mm lug-to-lug means it settles flush on medium and smaller wrists without the usual microbrand overhang. The box-dome sapphire is a genuine design choice — it catches light in a way flat sapphire cannot, lending the dial a soft, organic quality that nods to vintage acrylic without any of the scratch anxiety. The guilloche-textured dial surface shifts from subtle to dramatic depending on the angle and the colorway, and the depth that texture adds makes for a more interesting object than the spec sheet suggests.

The dual-tone lume is the standout feature at this price: C3 on the hour indices charges to a vivid green while BGW9 on the chapter ring glows a cooler blue-white — the contrast in the dark is legitimately striking and routinely cited by owners as among the best in the budget dive category. Where the Mako loses points is the 4 o'clock crown, tucked behind an integrated guard; it takes deliberate effort to grip and screw down, and anyone who adjusts the time frequently will find it tedious. That friction aside, the overall package — 316L bracelet with quick-adjust clasp, tropic rubber strap, solid screw-down case back with embossed shark logo, and wooden gift box — feels cohesive and considered for a watch at this price.

Bottom line

A genuinely capable micro-diver that delivers premium touches — dual-tone lume, box sapphire, ceramic bezel, and a real bracelet — at a sub-$600 price, undercut only by a perpetually sold-out status and a fiddly crown guard.

Highlights

300m / 30 ATM depth rating
Box-dome sapphire with inner AR coat
Dual-tone lume: C3 + BGW9 Super-LumiNova
120-click ceramic unidirectional bezel
Available in steel and bronze variants

Who it's for

Collectors on wrists between 6 and 7.5 inches who want a well-built diver with standout dial character — meteorite, fumé teal, frosted white — at under $600. The 40mm case and compact lug-to-lug make it a rare budget diver that genuinely fits trim wrists, and Zelos' direct-to-consumer model means the money goes into the watch rather than retailer margin.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you need immediate off-the-shelf availability, a date complication, or a crown that is easy to operate without fuss.

Before you buy

All current variants are typically sold out — waitlist or secondhand market only
Multiple generations exist (500m/SW200-1/date vs 300m/9015 V3/no-date) — verify which generation you are buying
Crown guard makes daily winding and time-setting fiddly, particularly for larger hands
Lug-to-lug is quoted as 46mm (V3) or 47mm (current revised models) — confirm the exact variant

FAQ

Is the Mako automatic or quartz?

The Mako is automatic. The Miyota 9015 winds itself from the motion of your wrist, so it needs no battery. A full wind holds roughly 42 hours, so it keeps running overnight off the wrist; left longer it stops and restarts once you wear or hand-wind it.

What movement does the Mako use?

The Mako is powered by the Miyota 9015 from Miyota, an automatic caliber with 24 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, and a 28,800 bph beat rate. Being automatic, it winds from the motion of your wrist and needs no battery.

How water resistant is the Mako?

The Mako is rated to 300 m. That is a high water-resistance rating: comfortable for swimming, snorkelling and recreational diving, with margin to spare for everyday wear. Whatever the rating, avoid operating the crown or pushers underwater, and have the gaskets checked periodically to keep it reliable.

How big does the Mako wear?

At 40 mm across with a 46 mm lug-to-lug and 13.6 mm thick, the Mako wears as a modern medium-to-large watch. Lug-to-lug is the measurement that really decides fit, since it sets how far the case spans the wrist — 46 mm suits most wrists, and smaller wrists especially should check that figure.

How does the Mako V3 differ from the original 500m Mako?

The original Mako ran a Sellita SW200-1, rated to 500m. The V3 (2020) switched to the slimmer Miyota 9015, reduced depth rating to 300m, removed the date for a cleaner dial, and significantly improved bracelet finishing and case proportions.

Why is the Mako so hard to buy and is Zelos a reputable brand?

Zelos is a Singapore-based microbrand founded in 2014 by Elshan Tang, known for using unusual materials at accessible price points. Releases are sold in limited pre-order batches and popular colourways routinely sell out within 24 hours; joining the waitlist on zeloswatches.com or monitoring secondhand markets are the most reliable routes.

How does the Miyota 9015 perform in real-world use?

The Miyota 9015 is officially specified at -10 to +30 s/day. The movement hacks, hand-winds, and provides roughly 42 hours of power reserve — all useful in a daily-wear diver.

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