Coming Full Circle with the Visitor Duneshore Blacksand

by Brent Robillard

It’s personal

One of the earliest articles we ever published on The Calibrated Wrist was a review of the Visitor Duneshore Shallows. Back then, we were just starting to find our voice—still wet behind the ears, so to speak—but the Shallows made an impression. It was a watch that felt personal and unusual in all the right ways.

^{Visitor Duneshore Blacksand @calibre321}

Now, almost five years later, we find ourselves circling back to Visitor Watch Co. with the Duneshore Blacksand. It’s a fitting moment of symmetry. Much has changed in five years, but what hasn’t changed is Phil Rodenbeck’s unwavering design philosophy—purposeful, poetic, and just a little peculiar.

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I finally had the chance to meet Phil in person last year at the Toronto Timepiece Show. What followed was a chaotic, laughter-filled meal at Fran’s with a few good friends. Over veggie burgers and beers, Phil told me that when he reaches into his own watch box, it’s often the Blacksand he grabs without thinking. And now, having spent time with it myself, I get it.

The Duneshore Blacksand doesn’t feel like it’s trying to impress you—it simply is what it is. And what it is… is distinct.

Key Features of the Visitor Duneshore Blacksand

Refined and Offbeat

The Duneshore design has always walked a careful line between refined and offbeat. In its Blacksand form, that duality is even more pronounced. With its DLC-coated case, black enamel-painted dial, and stylized pen-nib-inspired hands, it manages to look both formal and a bit rebellious. Today I’m wearing it with a button-up and jeans; over the weekend, I wore it with drawstring cargos and a tee (yes, the warm weather has finally returned to Eastern Ontario). It fits in both worlds without effort.

The Dial

One of the most striking features is the enamel-painted dial, a deep, semi-gloss black that genuinely does look like wet ink. Visitor goes to great lengths to achieve this—painting, baking, and polishing each dial to bring out that subtle sheen. Pair that with the steel hands shaped like vintage fountain pen nibs, and the connection to the written word becomes more than symbolic—it’s emotional. But maybe that’s just me.

Lume

The sandwich-style dial adds depth, with circular minute markers punched through the top layer to reveal the lume below. And about that lume: BGW9 SuperLuminova is applied to the hands, markers, minute track, date numerals, and even the logo. It glows a cool blue in low light—not flashy, just functional.

Built for Wearability

On paper, the Duneshore’s 44mm by 51mm case sounds like a handful. But on the wrist, it tells a different story. The case hugs the wrist thanks to its double-curved exhibition caseback, which drops the perceived height and tucks the watch in like it was custom-fitted. The ergonomic design is the kind of thing you only notice when it’s missing on other watches.

At its thickest point, the watch is 13.7mm, but it dips to 11.8mm where the case curves downward. This, combined with the oversized strap and buckle, gives it a secure, robust feel. It wouldn’t be out of place slipping over a wetsuit, even if you never take it past the shore. It’s water-resistant to 100 meters, thanks to the screw-down crown and thick 2.5mm sapphire crystal—reassuring if you’re the type to end up near water, planned or otherwise.

Inside beats a Miyota 9015, upgraded with a custom rotor and date disk. It’s reliable and quiet, with a smooth sweep that matches the overall feel of the watch.

SPECS

Case	316L DLC-Coated Stainless Steel 44mm Diameter 51mm Lug to Lug 13.7mm Thick 22mm Lug Width Screwed, Curved Exhibition Case Back 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Sapphire Crystal Black Enamel Sandwich Dial Applied Markers Custom Fountain Pen Handset BGW9 Super-LumiNova
Movement	Miyota 9015 24 Jewels 28 800vph 42-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Black NBR /w DLC Hardware

Visitor Duneshore Blacksand

A watch that tells a story

I’ve always been drawn to watches that don’t just keep time but say something. The Duneshore Blacksand is one of those watches. Every element—from the calligraphy-inspired hands to the ink-like dial—feels intentional. It doesn’t scream for attention. It just is, in a way that rewards repeat wear and quiet observation.

Phil and his watches will be making their way to the inaugural Vancouver Timepiece Show at the end of the month. If you’re in town, I can’t recommend enough that you stop by, say hello, and try one on. You might find yourself coming full circle too.

Pricing & Availability

The Visitor Dunershore Blacksand is available from the brand website for only $700USD.

About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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