Gyavius Watch Company is not a name you will find plastered on stadium billboards or in the glossy pages of mainstream fashion magazines. This is by design. Operating from a dedicated atelier in Sofia, Bulgaria, this family-owned manufacture represents a more fundamental, hands-on approach to horology. Founded in 2012 by industrial designer T. Gyavurov, the company was born from a desire to merge the distinct disciplines of engineering, art, and pure craftsmanship. In an industry dominated by massive conglomerates and third-party suppliers, Gyavius has pursued the arduous path of in-house production, a choice that intrinsically links the final product to the hands of its creators.
The core philosophy is one of total control over the process. This is not a company that simply designs a watch and outsources its creation. Gyavius builds the majority of its own components. The case, the bezel, the case back, the crown, the dial, and even the hands are designed, prototyped, improved, crafted, finished, and assembled within their own facility. This method is slow, exacting, and deliberate. It means that only a small number of timepieces leave the workshop each month, each one a direct result of this intensive, manual process, bearing the literal fingerprints of its construction.
Courtesy of Gyavius
It is from this environment of focused, in-house manufacturing that the new NAVI S collection emerges. This is not a ground-up new creation, but rather a significant and "sleeper" upgrade to the brand's sophomore release, the original NAVI. The NAVI S is the result of careful consideration and refinement, taking the established retro-futuristic DNA of its predecessor and honing it for a different, perhaps more practical, wearing experience. It’s an evolution, not a replacement, and one that targets specific areas for improvement based on feedback and dedicated testing.
The "S" in NAVI S is a small letter that signifies a major functional change: spring bars. While the original NAVI utilized a different strap system, the NAVI S has been thoughtfully re-engineered to accept 20mm spring bars. This decision instantly opens the watch up to a nearly infinite world of aftermarket strap options, a detail that is paramount to seasoned watch collectors who value customization and versatility. This modification was achieved while carefully preserving the unique case geometry that defined the original model.
Alongside this functional update, the watch has undergone a significant change in dimensions. The new NAVI S has been scaled down to a 41mm diameter. This reduction in size is not just a number on a spec sheet; it’s a deliberate move to make the watch "sleeker and more wearable," in the company's own words. The design was put through a year's worth of daily wear testing to ensure the new proportions were not just smaller, but better. The result is a watch that reportedly wears more like a 39mm piece, a testament to its highly considered case ergonomics.
The most defining feature of the NAVI S is, without question, its case. Crafted from a solid block of 316L stainless steel, its dimensions are highly unusual and central to its character: 41mm in diameter is paired with a 41mm lug-to-lug measurement. This perfect square footprint is a game-changer for wearability. It means there are no protruding lugs to overhang the wrist, allowing the watch to sit compactly and comfortably on a wide variety of arm sizes. This is the secret to its "wears like a 39mm" magic, a piece of clever industrial design that prioritizes the on-wrist experience above all else.
Courtesy of Gyavius
Visually, the case shape lives up to its "retro-futuristic" billing. It is a solid, cushion-style case that feels both vintage-inspired and forward-looking. The circular dial opening is set within a thick, robust chassis of steel, with the rounded sides flowing seamlessly into what are best described as "sleeper" or hooded lugs. The 20mm spring bars are drilled directly into the case, a practical touch that makes strap changes significantly easier and safer, minimizing the risk of scratching the metal. The entire package is 13mm thick, including the crystal, which is a very reasonable height for a watch with its capabilities.
The case is not a one-size-fits-all component; its finish is directly tied to the dial variant. The Matte Black and Matte Orange versions are housed in a brushed case. This finish, visible in the watch's press materials, appears to be a heavy, likely circular brushing that emphasizes the metallic, tool-like nature of the design. In contrast, the Sunburst Mint model is paired with a fully blasted case. This fine, matte texture gives the watch a more modern, technical, and utilitarian appearance, creating a soft sheen rather than a reflective shine, which complements its unconventional dial color perfectly.
This case is not just about aesthetics; it is a piece of serious engineering. The NAVI S is rated for 100 ATM, which translates to a staggering 1,000 meters of water resistance. This specification places it firmly in the category of professional-grade saturation dive watches, capable of handling pressures far beyond what almost any wearer will ever subject it to. This robust capability is achieved through a combination of its thick 316L steel construction, a solid screw-down case back, and a double-sealed, screw-down crown that is neatly protected by the natural curvature of the case.
Topping the case is a double-domed sapphire crystal. This is a premium feature that offers extreme scratch resistance and clarity. The double-domed shape (curved on both the outside and inside) is specifically designed to minimize the optical distortion that can occur with single-domed crystals, especially when viewing the dial from an angle. Surrounding the crystal is a 60-click, bi-directional bezel. This is a notable choice over the more common 120-click unidirectional dive bezel, and its bi-directional nature makes it useful for timing events in two directions, functioning as a simple and effective mechanical timer.
Courtesy of Gyavius
The NAVI S is being launched with three distinct dial variations, each offering a completely different personality. All three dials, however, share the same in-house manufacturing process. Gyavius states that the dials are hand-printed and feature hand-applied lume. This is a level of artisanal involvement one expects from haute horlogerie, not typically from a sub-$3,000 tool watch. It means each dial is individually crafted, ensuring a level of quality and character that mass-production simply cannot replicate.
The general dial layout is a model of legibility. It features large, bold, rectangular hour markers that appear to be thickly applied with luminous material, ensuring high visibility in low-light conditions. A double-marker sits at the 12 o'clock position for quick orientation. The handset is a pair of simple, thick baton hands, also filled with lume, and a slim, sweeping seconds hand. Text is minimal, with the "GYAVIUS NAVI" wordmark at 12 o'clock and the brand's swirling, stingray-like logo at 6 o'clock.
The first variant is the Matte Black dial. This is the classic, quintessential tool watch look. The deep black dial provides a high-contrast backdrop for the pale green-toned luminous markers and hands. Paired with the brushed case, this version is robust, understated, and ready for any situation, from a dive trip to a daily office companion. It is the most traditional and perhaps the most versatile of the trio.
Next is the Matte Orange dial. This version channels the spirit of 1970s professional dive watches, where bright, high-visibility colors were first introduced for better underwater legibility. The orange is a saturated, fiery matte tone that makes an immediate, bold statement. When paired with its matching orange FKM rubber strap, this watch is a "firestarter," designed for those who seek sun-baked horizons and are not afraid of a vibrant splash of color on the wrist.
Courtesy of Gyavius
The final and most unique option is the Sunburst Mint dial. This is a radiant, explosive color that is softened by a subtle sunburst finishing, allowing the dial to play with the light. This dial is paired with the matte-blasted case, a combination that juxtaposes a playful color with a serious, technical finish. In a fantastic detail, Gyavius notes this specific mint green was inspired by the leather interior of an old Range Rover, a nod to how inspiration can be found in unexpected, "road less traveled" places.
Powering all three versions of the NAVI S is the Sellita SW200 Swiss automatic movement. This is a well-known and highly respected "workhorse" movement, chosen for its proven reliability and serviceability. It is a 26-jewel caliber that beats at a modern frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), which provides a smooth, sweeping motion to the seconds hand. The movement offers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours and features a hacking function (stopping the-seconds hand) for precise time-setting. By using a trusted Swiss-made engine, Gyavius ensures the watch remains reliable and can be serviced by any competent watchmaker, while they focus their own in-house efforts on the parts that define the watch's unique character and feel.
The NAVI S package is completed by its strap selection, which circles back to the very reason for the "S" designation. The 20mm drilled lugs make strap changes a breeze. The watch is supplied with both an FKM rubber strap and a stainless steel mesh bracelet. FKM is a high-grade, durable, and comfortable rubber compound that is superior to standard silicone. The stainless mesh, as seen in photos, is a thick "shark mesh" style bracelet that perfectly complements the 1970s retro-futuristic aesthetic of the case, creating a cohesive and striking look.
Gyavius is candid about who this watch is for. The NAVI S is described as a "tool for the veteran watch collector," specifically targeting the enthusiast who has "been through the fire" and is tired of the "white label slop" that populates much of the microbrand market. This is a watch for individuals who truly value the effort, craftsmanship, and sustainability of a product. It appeals to a buyer who understands the difference between a watch assembled from off-the-shelf catalog parts and one where the case and dial are machined from raw metal in the same building they were designed in.
Courtesy of Gyavius
This level of in-house craft and over-engineered specification comes with a clear price point and production model. The Gyavius NAVI S collection is priced at $2,400 USD (exclusive of taxes) and is available directly on the Gyavius website.
Prospective buyers should note that this will not be an open-run production. The company states that the NAVI S will be "manufactured in batches," with production "limited by our own ability to make and finish them." This is a refreshing dose of transparency. The brand is unwilling to sacrifice quality for speed, and the bottleneck is the human-centric, hands-on process itself. This reinforces the boutique nature of the company and ensures that each watch that ships has received the full attention of its makers.
Case: 316L Stainless Steel, 41mm diameter, 41mm lug-to-lug, 13mm height (including crystal). Double Domed Sapphire crystal. Solid case back. 100 ATM water resistance. 60 click, bi-directional bezel. Double sealed, screw-down crown. Designed and manufactured in-house.
Movement: Sellita SW200 Swiss Made Automatic movement. Functions: Hours, Minutes and Seconds. Automatic winding. 41 Hours approx. power reserve. Frequency: 28 800 per hour (4Hz). 26 Jewels.
Dial: 3 variations: Matte black, Matte Orange and Mint sunburst. Hand printed and hand applied lume. Designed and manufactured in-house.
Strap: 20mm spring bars. Includes FKM Rubber and Stainless Mesh straps.
Price: $2,400 USD excl. taxes.
Notes: Evolved version of the NAVI model, scaled down to 41mm and modified to accept spring bar straps (NAVI S). Designed and manufactured in-house in limited batches.