by Brent Robillard
Memento mori
There’s something immediately compelling (and maybe morbid) about a brand that opens its website with the phrase, “Your time will end.” Arena’s debut model, the Vanitas, doesn’t shy away from philosophical weight. Even its name feels like a thesis statement. Arena comes from the Latin for “sand” or “place of combat,” while Vanitas refers to the futility—or perhaps fragility—of life. Together, they conjure the ancient memento mori tradition, a reminder that time, though fleeting, gives meaning to action. And what better medium for that message than a mechanical watch?
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Philosophy and Form
According to the brand, “Where other watches fail, the Vanitas will not falter.” It’s a bold claim for a first release, but in truth, the watch makes a strong case for itself. Arena’s stated goal is to “keep the pace steady, deliberate, and focused on quality.” That intention carries through the design: purposeful, restrained, and quietly confident.
The Vanitas is built as a tool for the so-called “quiet professional”—someone who values precision over noise. It’s rated to 200 metres of water resistance and arrives packaged in a 1150 Black Pelican case, accompanied by both a 316L stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet and a vulcanized rubber strap. That combination speaks to versatility: equal parts executive and explorer.
Key Features of the Arena Vanitas
Design and wear
The watch measures 39mm in diameter, 11.6mm thick, with a 47mm lug-to-lug, and wears slightly smaller than its specs might suggest. The domed sapphire crystal and angled rehaut help compress the visual footprint, giving it an almost 37–38mm wrist presence—perfectly balanced for everyday wear.
Design-wise, the Vanitas leans heavily into its mid-century dive watch roots. The pointed crown guards nod to the classic Submariner silhouette, though Arena’s execution is crisper and less derivative than first impressions might suggest. The 120-click unidirectional bezel deserves special mention—it has a satisfyingly snappy action with zero backplay. At first glance, I suspected it might be difficult to grip, as the bezel sits nearly flush with the midcase, but Arena managed to mill just enough overhang—mere microns—to make it both tactile and precise.
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The black dial is understated, framed by a DLC-coated bezel with C3 lume-filled indices. C3 lume also lights up the dashes, dots, and hands, as well as the ring of lume pips encircling the dial. The hourglass engraving on the caseback reinforces the memento mori theme, elegantly tying the design to its philosophical underpinnings.
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If there’s one design critique, it’s the font on the bezel insert, which feels a touch ponderous (and modern?) compared to the otherwise refined proportions. Similarly, the micro-adjust clasp, while functional, adds unnecessary bulk to an otherwise svelte bracelet. These are small missteps, but worth mentioning because the rest of the watch demonstrates such a high level of execution.
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Movement and Performance
Inside ticks the Sellita SW300-1a (Top Grade)—a welcome surprise at this price point. It’s thin (3.6mm), precise, and reliable, running at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a 56-hour power reserve. Arena’s regulation was impressive in testing, staying comfortably within its advertised range of -4 to +6 seconds per day while I wore it.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 39mm Diameter 47mm Lug to Lug 11.6mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screwed Down Case Back & Crown 200m Water Resistance | |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal Matte Black Dial Applied Indices Needle-styled Hands Date Window at 3 C3 Super-LimiNova | |
| Movement | Sellita SW300-1a (Top Grade) -4/+6 secs/day 25 Jewels 28,800vph 56-Hour Power Reserve | |
| Strap | Stainless Steel BOR Bracelet /w Micro-adjusting Clasp Rubber Strap |
Arena Vanitas
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Final Thoughts
The Arena Vanitas may not reinvent the wheel, but it does it does well. This is a well-built, tightly executed dive watch that blends a little philosophical depth with its mechanical integrity. It’s confident without being loud.
The Vanitas offers a Swiss-powered, high-quality alternative for those drawn to the vintage diver aesthetic but looking for something with more personality than another homage.
In a way, Arena’s message lingers long after you take the watch off: Your time will end. But the Vanitas suggests that what you do with it—your purpose, your craft, your choices—might not.
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Pricing & Availability
The Arena Vanitas retails for $1430 USD and comes with both a strap and bracelet option. Check it out on the brand website for more details.
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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