I love this watch! I know “punches above its price point” is probably one of the most overused phrases in the watch world, but I honestly don’t know a better way to describe the DeMarco Ironside 200.
After buying this watch, I was still interested in picking up a Longines HydroConquest. I went to an AD, tried one on, and walked away having a very hard time justifying the roughly $2,200 retail price after wearing the DeMarco for a couple of weeks. Even at used or gray-market prices around $1,500, I personally don’t see enough of a difference to justify the gap. Two different watches from a size perspective, I get that, but still...
I know someone will immediately point out that Longines is an established Swiss brand with real heritage, while DeMarco is a relatively new microbrand. I completely understand that. But if I’m judging purely on specs, feel, and what I actually enjoy wearing, I prefer the DeMarco.
The blue dial is fantastic. The wave texture gives it a lot of depth and catches the light extremely well. The bracelet also feels very great wearing it all day for the price, and the tool-free micro-adjust is something I actually use on a daily basis. Add in the extra strap and quick-release system, and the overall package is hard to argue with.
From a specs standpoint, you’re getting a sapphire crystal with AR coating, solid crown guards, a screw-down crown, 200 meters of water resistance, a sapphire exhibition caseback, and a Miyota 9015 automatic movement. At roughly the $600 price point, that is a lot of watch.
And just so nobody thinks this is a fake review or something Michael paid me to write, there are a few things I not absolutely in love with.
If you run your fingers side to side along parts of the bracelet, you can feel a few sharper edges. The lume looks great initially but loses strength fairly quickly once it has been sitting in the dark (although the lumed bezel is a nice touch!), The micro-adjust already catches a little bit, although that could partially be how I’m using it. The double posts on the clasp can also be a little finicky to engage at the same time, though a slight wiggle usually gets everything locked in.
Those may also be quirks of my particular watch rather than issues across the entire line.
Overall, though, this is the best watch I’ve personally bought around the $600 price point. If you can look past the fact that it isn’t Swiss and comes from a newer microbrand, there is a ton of value here.
Huge credit to Michael. You can tell a lot of thought went into the details that actually matter when you wear a watch every day.
