This Gorgeous Cartier-Esque Steel Sports Watch is Shockingly Affordable

There is something to be said for a start-up that focuses on one design until it is just right, and now it is.

Published 16 hours ago

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I have the utmost respect for a watch designer who is disciplined enough to start a brand by focusing on one model until it feels complete.

Benjamin James has done just that, and after two years and eight references, his eponymous brand has released a perfect version of the Scarifour integrated steel sports watch.

a Benjamin James watch laying on a table — The Scarifour Icy Blue MOP replaces a 3D textured dial with captivating mother-of-pearl.

Benjamin James, the brand, debuted in 2023 with its first collection of four Scarifour references. The heraldry dial, featuring chevron lines etched into a grainy texture, came in white, blue, purple and orange.

The release, constrained by limited resources, quickly sold out and was followed up by the same dial texture in British racing green and gilded champagne in 2024.

James has remained dedicated to his debut case and integrated bracelet design. Tinkering with the dial while leaving the rest alone has paid off with the new Sacrifour Icy Blue MOP.

As advertised, the captivating mother-of-pearl dial has a glowing icy blue hue that exposes hints of white, green and purple as it reacts to light.

It is the perfect complement to the rectangular brushed steel case, which hints at the beloved Cartier Santos while managing to differentiate itself.

If at first…

Before going solo, James spent eight years designing watches for various British microbrands. According to his brand’s website, he created 20 distinct watches with over 80 variations in that time.

a Benjamin James watch with a blue dial — The integrated steel bracelet, with contrast finishing, is inspired by the Patek Philippe Nautilus.

With that much design work under his belt, James clearly knew exactly what he wanted the first watch to bear his name on the dial to look like.

The Scarifour is both familiar and distinct. It blends design elements from 1970s steel sports watches with Louis Cartier’s work from the early twentieth century and adds a little twist.

The 31mm by 40mm elongated-hexagon brushed steel case is topped with a polished steel bezel that has indented picture frame corners and two faux screw holes on each side.

a Benjamin James watch on a man's wrist — The 31mm by 40mm case complements any wrist size.

The signed crown has a hexagonal bolt grip, and the integrated steel bracelet, with brushed H-links, polished center links and a center clasp, is inspired by the Patek Philippe Nautilus.

Everything about the dial is early twentieth-century, including the baton hour markers, the lone Roman numeral at 12 o’clock and the no-seconds faceted lance hands.

Quartz or mechanical?

Benjamin James brilliantly sells most of its references with a choice between a quartz or mechanical movement. The former keeps the watch shockingly affordable, while the latter satisfies traditionalists willing to pay over 50% more.

the back of a Benjamin James watch — The quartz model has an engraved caseback.

Since the Scarifour is only a two-hand dial, it is cheaper and more practical to go with the highly respected Ronda caliber 762 quartz movement. It requires far less adjustment to stay accurate, and there is no lurching seconds hand to worry about.

However, I empathize with the purists who derive so much tactile satisfaction from winding a mechanical movement that they are willing to shell out an additional $423 to have a dependable Sellita caliber SW210-b inside.

Benjamin James has only been around for three years, but the Scarifour Icy Blue MOP could be the fledgling brand’s breakout hit. The beautiful case, which brilliantly balances a range of influences with a personal touch, is finally fitted with the dial it deserves.

Now that the Scarifour is practically perfected, I can’t wait to see what the brand does next.

Availability and pricing

The Benjamin James Scarifour Icy Blue MOP is available now from Benjamin James for $703 with a Ronda caliber 762 quartz movement and $1,126 with a Sellita caliber SW210-b hand-wound movement.

This is a limited production run of only 100 pieces per year and appears to be selling fast. If you miss out on this batch, you can sign up for an email notification when next year’s run is available.

Benjamin James Scarifour Ice Blue MOP

Specs

Case Size	31mm
Movement	Ronda caliber 762 quartz or Sellita caliber SW210-b hand-wound
Water Resistance	50m

$703 at Benjamin James

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.