Bausele Elemental

Bausele, an Australian watch brand founded in Sydney in 2011, has long operated on the motto of "Swiss Precision, Aussie Soul." With the launch of its new Elemental collection, this philosophy has been rendered more literally and tangibly than ever before. This is not just a watch designed in Australia and built in Switzerland; it is a timepiece that physically carries a piece of the Australian continent within its very structure. The new collection, launching in two distinct variations, is the direct result of a six-month collaborative process that involved the feedback and ideas of 400 members of the brand's community, ensuring the final product is one shaped by the voices of those who would ultimately wear it.

The collaborative design process has yielded a watch that is not chasing fleeting trends but is instead focused on substance and a personal connection. This approach is evident in the two debut models: the "Oceanic Blue" and the "Inferno Black." While sharing a core architecture, each watch tells a different story, drawing its inspiration and its very essence from two unique and meaningful Australian locations. This community-based design approach ensures the watch resonates on a level beyond simple aesthetics, aiming for a genuine connection with its owner.



At the heart of the Elemental's design philosophy is a case that balances rugged capability with everyday wearability. The diameter is a versatile 40mm, a size that hits the sweet spot for a vast majority of wrists. This is paired with a commendably slim profile of just 11.9mm and a compact lug-to-lug measurement of 46.5mm. These dimensions promise a watch that will sit comfortably and proportionally, capable of sliding under a cuff while retaining enough presence to feel purposeful. The case itself is crafted from certified recycled 316L stainless steel, a nod to modern sustainability, and is stamped in Switzerland.

Visually, the case architecture is modern and angular, featuring sharp lines and defined planes. It displays a sophisticated mix of brushed and polished finishes. The top surfaces of the lugs are finely brushed, which helps to minimize the appearance of daily scuffs, while polished chamfers along the case edges add a dynamic flash of light. This interplay between finishes gives the watch a versatile character, allowing it to feel at home both outdoors and in more formal settings. This is a tool watch, but one that has clearly paid attention to the finer details of its execution.

The most unique and personal feature of the Elemental collection is found in its crown. Each screw-down crown, which helps secure the watch's impressive 200-meter water resistance, is topped with a transparent cap. Sealed beneath this clear window is a tangible piece of Australia, a small measure of sand that directly links the watch to a specific place. This Bausele signature transforms the watch from a simple time-telling instrument into a personal keepsake, a small piece of Earth carried with you.

For the "Oceanic Blue" edition, the crown is filled with real sand gathered from the iconic Northern Beaches of Sydney. This element is chosen to evoke a sense of calm, daily rituals, and the steady, grounding rhythm of the sea. It’s a tribute to dawn meetings with the tide and the clarity found in the ocean. The vibrant, deep turquoise-blue of the dial perfectly complements this story, recalling the color of the Pacific waters on a clear day.

Conversely, the "Inferno Black" model tells a story of resilience and renewal. Its crown contains volcanic black sand sourced from Currumbin's iconic Elephant Rock, a coastline shaped by fire and strength. This dark, raw material is a reminder of transformation and inner fortitude. The accompanying dial is a deep, textured black, mirroring the volcanic origins of the sand and creating a stark, powerful, and moody aesthetic that stands in bold contrast to its blue sibling.



The dial of the Elemental is an innovative piece of engineering in its own right. It is not a traditional flat surface but a complex 2-layer construction designed to create a unique visual effect of depth and clarity. The brand likens the experience to looking through a diver's mask at the ocean floor, and the construction backs up this claim. It is designed to capture the feeling of looking beneath the surface, adding a three-dimensional quality to the watch face.

The construction of this dial begins with a base layer that features a rough, textured sand pattern, reminiscent of the ocean floor itself. Above this textured base, a second, separate layer made of a clear glass disc is installed. This top disc is what holds the applied hour indices. This clever separation means the indices are not sitting on the textured dial but are physically floating above it, casting subtle shadows and creating a genuine sense of depth.

This layered design has a striking visual impact. The hands sweep under the floating indices but over the textured base dial, further enhancing the three-dimensional effect. All hands and applied indices are treated with Super-LumiNova, ensuring that this impressive legibility and sense of depth are not lost in low-light conditions. The entire display is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that has been treated with five layers of anti-reflective coating to minimize glare and maximize clarity.

A particularly thoughtful detail is found in the date complication at 3 o'clock. While many watches in this category might opt for an external "cyclops" magnifier, Bausele has engineered the magnifier from the inside. This means the top surface of the sapphire crystal remains perfectly flat and smooth, delivering the desired date magnification without the added bulk or the visual interruption of an external lens. It's a more difficult and costly execution that results in a cleaner, more streamlined profile.



Surrounding the dial is the "BREATHE / CONNECT" bezel, a feature that combines two practical functions into one thoughtful design. The rotating bezel is split into two distinct scales. This dual-functionality is intended to be a tool for both mindful adventurers and practical travelers, symbolizing a balance between being present in the moment and staying connected to people and places far away. The bezel edge is serrated with a fine coin-edge texture, providing ample grip for easy operation.

The "Breathe" aspect of the bezel is represented by the traditional 60-minute count-up scale on its outer edge. This is the classic dive watch function, allowing the wearer to time a dive, an espresso shot, or any event up to one hour. By aligning the bezel's zero marker with the minute hand, the wearer can easily read elapsed time at a glance.

The "Connect" function is found on the inner ring of the bezel, which features a 12-hour scale. This allows the watch to track a second time zone. By rotating the bezel to align the appropriate hour with the hour hand, the wearer can quickly reference the time in another part of the world, making it a simple and effective tool for travelers or anyone needing to coordinate across different time zones.

Powering the Elemental is the "Swiss Precision" component of the Bausele equation: the Sellita SW200 automatic movement. This Swiss-made caliber is a well-regarded and robust workhorse, known for its reliability and ease of service. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, features a hacking seconds function for precise time-setting, and provides a power reserve of approximately 38 hours.



Bausele has not just installed this movement; they have engineered a system to protect it. The movement is housed within an anti-shock case that includes a stainless steel capsule and three rubber buffers to shield it from extreme impacts. Furthermore, an antimagnetic case back is added, which contributes only 1.5mm to the watch's total thickness (resulting in a final 12.2mm profile) while protecting the movement's accuracy from the magnetic fields common in everyday life.

The Elemental launches on a robust integrated steel bracelet. This H-link style bracelet flows seamlessly from the angular lugs of the case, creating a cohesive and unified look. The links are predominantly brushed, matching the top of the case, but feature small, polished, elongated cutouts in the center that catch the light and add a touch of refinement. For those who prefer a different feel, Bausele has also announced that a custom-designed rubber strap will be available as an optional upgrade in the coming months.

Turning the watch over reveals a solid 316L surgical-grade stainless steel case back. Instead of a display window, it is engraved with a motif that echoes the dial: an underwater sand texture. This continues the watch's elemental theme even on the part of the watch that sits against the skin. For the first production run, the case back will also be individually numbered, marking the first 100 watches as a limited edition.

This new collection is a continuation of the brand's history, which began when founder Christophe Hoppe established Bausele in Sydney. The name itself, "Bausele," is short for "Beyond Australian Elements," a concept that has been a core part of the brand's DNA from the start. Over the years, Bausele became the first Australian brand to showcase at the prestigious Baselworld watch fair and has engaged in significant collaborations, including a special edition for the Sydney Opera House and the official watch for the Royal Australian Air Force's 100th anniversary.



The brand's philosophy, as articulated by founder Christophe Hoppe, is not about selling status. In his words, "Our watches will not help you become George Clooney or win a Grand Slam, but they can remind you everyday to breathe, focus, invest in yourself and become a better version of who you are." The Elemental, with its "Breathe / Connect" bezel and its tangible piece of Australian earth, is perhaps the purest expression of this mission to date.

The Bausele Elemental collection is set to be released in November 2025. It will be priced at $750 USD (or $1200 AUD). The launch will not be a standard, open-ended release; instead, it will be available exclusively during a very short 5-day drop window, which the brand notes may even be shorter. Prospective buyers will need to secure their spot ahead of time to be part of this highly anticipated and community-driven release.

Case: 40mm diameter, 11.9mm thickness (12.2mm with antimagnetic back), 46.5mm lug-to-lug. Certified recycled 316L stainless steel with brushed and polished finishes. 200m water resistance. Screw-down crown with transparent cap containing real sand. Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with 5-layer AR coating and internal date magnifier. BREATHE / CONNECT dual-scale rotating bezel.

Movement: Swiss automatic Sellita SW200. 38-hour power reserve. Hacking seconds. Features anti-shock case, rubber buffers, and antimagnetic case back.

Dial: Innovative 2-layer dial with textured sand pattern base and top glass disc with applied indices. Super-LumiNova on hands and indices. Available in Oceanic Blue or Inferno Black.

Strap: Integrated 316L stainless steel bracelet. Custom rubber strap coming soon as an optional upgrade.

Price: USD 750$ | AUD 1200$

Notes: Designed in collaboration with 400 community members. Crown contains real sand from Sydney's Northern Beaches (Oceanic Blue) or volcanic sand from Currumbin (Inferno Black). First 100 watches are individually numbered.