The New Serica 8315 Travel Chronometer Golden Green Brings A Different Shade Of Character
Serica continues to expand its collection while maintaining its high standards. The Parisian brand pays particular attention to color, and founder Jérôme Burgert is famously meticulous about getting the shades just right. I remember discussing the light blue ceramic bezel of the 5303-3 dive watch with him. He took a similarly deliberate approach to the new Golden Green version of the 8315 Travel Chronometer. This third colorway combines several shades of green across the dial and bezel, with the latter presenting a particularly challenging task. The result is an interesting new take on Serica’s GMT.
I always enjoy discussing design details with Burgert, whether we’re talking about colors, dimensions, finishing, or stylistic inspiration. We share an appreciation for the thought that goes into these decisions, even when we don’t necessarily agree on the outcome. Color is especially subjective, but getting a particular shade right can make all the difference. In this case, I think Burgert and his team have found an excellent balance with the Golden Green.
The details of the Serica 8315 Travel Chronometer Golden Green
The new Golden Green retains its predecessors’ specifications. Its stainless steel case measures 39mm wide, 12.3mm thick, and 46.5mm from lug to lug. It also offers a 200m depth rating. A combination of brushed and polished surfaces emphasizes the case’s elegant proportions.
The bidirectional bezel features a ceramic insert made from a single block, divided into ivory and golden-green sections. As on the previous versions, it contains two 12-hour scales — one for AM and another for PM.
The green section represents daytime, while the ivory one indicates nighttime. Burgert also incorporated asymmetry into the scales, making the nighttime portion visually longer than the daytime section. We’ve seen this concept on the Grand Seiko Sport Series GMTs, too.
Serica took inspiration for the golden green from the warm light of sunrise. The result is a subtle shade that changes considerably depending on the lighting. It can appear golden beige in some conditions and pale green in others, giving the bezel a character that is difficult to capture in photographs.
Green takes center stage on the new 8315 Travel Chronometer
Getting green right isn’t easy, particularly when working with lighter shades. I usually prefer darker greens without too much yellow, but a little warmth can make a lighter shade considerably more appealing. That’s precisely what Serica has achieved here. The golden undertones soften the green without making it look washed out or overly vibrant.
The bezel is paired with an olive-green enameled dial featuring white and gold-colored details. When the watch first arrived, I struggled to pin down the dial’s exact color. Depending on the light, it can look almost black, deep brown, or distinctly dark green. That changing appearance gives the dial plenty of visual interest.
Its layout will be familiar to anyone who knows Serica’s sports watches. A white minute track surrounds beige Super-LumiNova C3 hour markers with gold-colored frames. Rectangular markers indicate the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock, while round indexes for the other hours sit farther toward the dial’s center. This unusual arrangement has become a recognizable part of Serica’s design language.
My favorite Serica 8315 Travel Chronometer yet
The dial is topped by white lacquered hands in the familiar Serica style. The standout is the lollipop-shaped GMT hand, which features a special golden-green fill to match the bezel. The hour and minute hands contain Super-LumiNova that complements the dial and glows green in the dark.
Compared with the previously released Enamel Black and Sand Red versions, this one looks noticeably warmer and softer. Having spent time with all three, I prefer the Golden Green. Its lighter palette gives the watch a distinctive character without straying from the established 8315 design.
Inside is the COSC-certified Soprod C125 automatic GMT caliber. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, contains 23 jewels, and provides a 42-hour power reserve. Serica uses the same movement throughout the 8315 collection.
The C125 is a caller-style GMT movement, meaning the 24-hour hand can be adjusted independently in one-hour increments. It isn’t as convenient for frequent travelers as a flyer-style GMT, which allows the 12-hour hand to jump independently. However, having owned both types, I find the distinction less important in everyday use than some enthusiasts might suggest. I don’t often cross time zones these days, so setting the watch once is usually sufficient.
The Serica Expedition bracelet
The Golden Green comes on Serica’s Expedition bracelet, complete with specially designed end links that integrate neatly with the case. Their guilloché finish echoes the bezel’s knurling, adding an attractive textural detail.
Daan reviewed the Expedition bracelet separately last year, so I won’t go into every detail here. I particularly like its construction, which combines a mesh core with separate links on the inside of the 20mm bracelet. It gives the bracelet a refined appearance, while the overall quality is a noticeable step up from the mesh bracelet fitted to the brand’s 5303 diver.
As Daan explained in his review, the bracelet consists of two connected sections. The upper one has a spring-loaded, branded clasp that hooks onto a bar on the lower section. You can position the bar wherever necessary to achieve the right fit. To secure the bracelet, simply open the clasp with your fingernail and hook it onto the bar.
Wearing the Serica 8315 Travel Chronometer Golden Green
Adjusting the bracelet is straightforward, thanks to its easily repositioned bar. Getting the clasp to engage smoothly, however, takes a little practice. I struggled with it initially, as finding the right angle wasn’t particularly intuitive. After a few days, though, the process became much easier.
This did make me think about practicality, especially first thing in the morning. I enjoy certain watch-related rituals, such as winding the movement of my VPC Type 37HW. However, I also appreciate being able to put a watch on quickly and without fuss. The Expedition bracelet isn’t quite as straightforward as I’d like, but I did get used to it.
Operating the Soprod C125 is simple enough. After unscrewing the crown, the first position lets you adjust the 24-hour GMT hand in one-hour increments. I did notice a little play in the hand when moving the crown back and forth in this position. Pulling it out to the second position allows you to set the main time, and the mechanism feels much more precise here, with no noticeable play between the crown and hands.
Final thoughts on the new Serica 8315 Travel Chronometer Golden Green
Once secured to the wrist, the 8315 Golden Green is a pleasure to wear. Its dimensions suit my wrist well, and I love the color combination. The dial and bezel give it a distinctive appearance without compromising the familiar Serica aesthetic. The Expedition bracelet also adds plenty of character, particularly through its textured end links, and is comfortable once properly adjusted.
Of the three 8315 versions, this is easily my favorite. In fact, it ranks among my favorite Serica watches overall, alongside the blue-dial 5303 diver that Daan owns. Both watches stand out partly because of their unusual bezel colors, which Burgert clearly invested considerable time in developing. These choices demonstrate how much a carefully considered color can contribute to a watch’s identity. Rather than simply following familiar trends, Serica has created something that feels distinctly its own.
The Serica 8315 Travel Chronometer Golden Green is available now through the official Serica website for €2,090 (including taxes). In the competitive travel-watch segment, it offers a distinctive alternative to more conventional GMT designs. The Golden Green brings a warmer, lighter character to the collection, and its carefully considered colors make it my favorite version yet. It’s a convincing example of how a thoughtful change in color can give an established design a fresh identity.
