Mako

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

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, bronze, and titanium

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?

It runs a automatic movement.

What movement does the Mako use?

The Miyota 9015 (Miyota).

Does the Mako have a date?

Yes.

How water resistant is the Mako?

It is rated to 300 m.

How big does the Mako wear?

40 mm wide with a 46 mm lug-to-lug.

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

The original Mako ran a Sellita SW200-1, rated to 500m, and included a colour-matched date window at 6 o'clock. 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?

Independent reviews measured the 9015 in the Mako V3 running between +3.6 and +8 s/day, consistent with Miyota's ±10 s/day spec. The movement hacks, hand-winds, and provides roughly 42 hours of power reserve — all useful in a daily-wear diver.