NTH Näcken v2
Manufacturer: NTH Watches | Price: £585 GBP ($725 USD)
Here we are again then, with another NTH Näcken in for review from NTH Watches, (not that it’s a chore or anything, as I just love getting something new in from the team at NTH). This one though, is the highly anticipated version 2 of the NTH Sub range, with the newly designed and updated case. To the casual onlooker, you might not even spot any changes over the original, but that’s where you’d be wrong! Without going into too much detail during the intro of my review, all I’ll say is, think of this new case as like a shrunken down version of the stunning 43mm NTH Thresher 2K1 that I reviewed back in October of last year.
Full Specification
- Dimensions: Case – 40.1mm, Thickness – 10.9mm, Lug to Lug – 47.6mm, Lug Width – 20mm
- Movement: Regulated Miyota 9015 / 90S5 (no date), 28,800vph, Hackable, Self Winding, 42hr Power Reserve
- Case: Brushed & Polished 316L Stainless Steel
- Bezel: 120 Click Unidirectional, Top-Grade PVD/DLC Stainless Steel Insert, Lumed
- Dial: Printed, Matte Black, Snowflake Hands, Date at 6
- Lume: Tritec Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9
- Bracelet: Brushed 316L Stainless Steel, Oyster Style, Solid Links, Screw Pins, Milled Clasp
- Bracelet Alternative: Brushed & Polished 316L Stainless Steel, Beads of Rice, Solid Links, Screw Pins, Milled Clasp
- Crystal: Double Domed Sapphire, Inner Anti-Reflective Coatings
- Water Resistance: 300m / 30ATM / 990ft – Individually Pressure Tested (In-House)
- Caseback: Screw Down, Etched NTH Logos
- Crown: 6.5mm, Screw Down, Signed, Lumed
- Weight: 138g (sized up for my 6¾″ wrist)
- Where to Buy: Watch Gecko (UK) / WatchGauge (USA) / SeriousWatches (EU)
- Warranty: 6 Years – NTH 6 & 6 Guarantee
NTH v2 Sub Range
NTH Watches
Case & Crown
This new case of the NTH Näcken v2 has a diameter of 40.1mm. The lug to lug is 47.6mm and the overall thickness, including the double domed sapphire crystal, I measured in at a rather scrumptious 10.9mm. The case, caseback, bezel, crown and bracelet are all 316L stainless steel. The finish of the case is mostly brushed, but with the addition of gorgeous polished chamfered edges that run along both top & bottom edges of the case and curve over the lugs, as well as the inner part of the crown guards. Overall, it looks stunning, with the same level of detail that we seen on the larger 43mm NTH Thresher 2K1. Just take my word for it guys n’ girls, this new case from NTH is totally fuckin’ gorgeous and you really need to see it close up and in person to really appreciate this high level of finishing.
The NTH Näcken v2 has a total water resistance rating of 300m, which is bloody impressive, considering just how svelte this watch is at just under 11mm. The proportions of the Näcken v2 are absolute perfection, as it wears perfectly on my wrist, in fact, I’d go as far as to say, if custom tailor made watches were common place, I’d swear that this Näcken v2 was exclusively made for me and my wrist only. The signed crown is nicely sized at 6.5mm, looks great with it’s deeply engraved lumed logo. It is also a piece of cake to operate with shed-loads of grip. There’s absolutely no wobble either when the crown is in use and you can also feel a nice wee pop as you unscrew it. As for the caseback, it is kept to a bare minimum, with lightly etched NTH logos and just a few basic specifications.
Strap / Bracelet
The oyster style bracelet that’s fitted is pretty much the same as the one that came with the v1, not that it was a bad thing. As bracelets go, this one is a beauty! The finishing is entirely brushed, but it’s the way it has been executed really sets it apart from the rest of the competition. It does taper from 20mm at the lugs, down to 17.5mm at the slimmest most point and back up to 20mm at the milled clasp. Sized up for my 6¾″ wrist, I had to remove 3 links, which was simple enough to do, with the inclusion of really good quality screw pins for adjusting & resizing. (There are even more spare links included in the box by the way, for those with large wrists). The milled clasp is signed with the NTH logo, and even although it’s not custom made or anything, NTH have clearly put a lot of effort into the fitment of the clasp, especially with the way it lies perfectly flush next to the links.
Additionally, the clasp also has chamfered edges which is an appreciated touch. There are also a total of six micro-adjustment holes to ensure that perfect fit. I think you know what’s coming next though… if I could change anything on this bracelet, I’d change these damn end links to female, rather than these male versions. Although to be fair to NTH, the male end links do slope down at the perfect angle, so there isn’t really any extended / effective lug to lug distance. However, if you fancy a change from this oyster style bracelet, NTH also offer their own beads of rice bracelet that does come with female end links, but the centre links are, as you might expect, polished. I’ve had their BoR option in before on the Barracuda, but it was a bit too blingy for my own personal tastes.
Movement / Accuracy
The chosen movement for this version of the NTH Näcken v2 is the high beat, smooth sweep Miyota 9015. (No-date versions of all v2 Subs utiliste the Miyota 90S5). Both these Japanese movements are self-winding, have 24 jewels and the oscillating weight spins up, giving you up to a reasonable 42 hour power reserve. The balance runs at 28,800vph ‘4Hz’ and the movement is also hackable. Checking the accuracy on my trusty timegrapher after wearing the Näcken v2 for approximately 2 weeks, I was pleasantly surprised with the results, with the Näcken v2 coming in at an average of just +3 second per day, with minimal beat error.
Dial, Bezel & Hands
Taking everything into account, it all adds up to a well designed and very legible dial. However, me being me, I would have still loved to have seen the date for the Näcken colour-matched to the dial, like they’ve done with the new Barracuda v2. It just looks so much more premium in my opinion. Next up however, are the snowflake style hour and minute hands that are very nicely executed indeed, with their lovely design and proportionate scale. The lumed diamond shaped section on the seconds hand is rather nice too, not only that, the actual tip of the hand does actually reach right out to the very edge of the minute track. Job well done.
Lume
The lume on the NTH Näcken v2 is nothing short of outstanding! I’ve only seen a small handful of watches with lume that is better or even comes close to this. The actual lume that has been applied to the NTH Näcken v2 is Tritec Swiss Luminova® BGW9. Granted, like the majority of watches, the lume certainly fades over time, but it’s still legible throughout the majority of the wee small hours. I’ve got up in the middle of the night and yet, I can still clearly see what time it is.
Video Review
Conclusion
Every watch enthusiast that I know will state that there is no perfect watch out there, but what we ALL do though, is try and find that one watch that is as close to perfection as we can possibly find. The Näcken v2 from NTH is very close to that, no question about it. Well, obviously that’s subjective and my own personal opinion. But what would I change I hear you ask, because no doubt you lazy fuckers have skipped to the end of my review. Colour-matched date wheel obviously, as well as female end links on this oyster style bracelet. For me, someone that reviews watches week in, week out, that’s a very short list of negatives! The Näcken v2 is easily the best I’ve seen yet from NTH. Congratulations to Chris and his team for a job very well done. P.S. Can we get a NTH Odin v2 now please!?
Just wanted to say thank you for all the watch reviews, great job and very enjoyable reading!
Thanks very much, much appreciated👍
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I bought this 6 weeks ago from eBay after looking for one for about two years. I wanted a daily beater that feels on the wrist like my 1675 from 1972 (I have to treat it nice). Your review pointed in that direction and you were absolutely right. I love the Näcken (and as a German the Umlaut in the Name)
Thanks buddy, I’m glad my review helped. Cheers, Will 🙏