Earthen Co. Breaks New Ground With More Colors For Its Summit MK II Collection
When Earthen Co. debuted with the Summit, I was immediately intrigued. The combination of ceramic cases with the famous IWC Mark-series design silhouette made the watches instantly recognizable and stylish. But the Hong Kong-based brand did not compromise on specs and made them proper tool watches. Considering the friendly price of well under €1,000, it is no surprise that two of the three original models we reviewed sold out. Now, with a new trio of ceramic colors, Earthen Co. gives the Summit MK II a more colorful overall presence without losing the seriousness of a watch you can take out on any adventure.
Immediately after unboxing these three new models, I became obsessed with one of them. It has a brown case and strap, but I immediately saw a lilac hue that I loved. As some of you might know, I have a thing for purple dials, but a purple ceramic watch was completely new to me. After checking with Nacho, though, I started doubting my eyes, as he confirmed that it is a light brown ceramic case. I’ve never been labeled colorblind, but after seeing this new Earthen Co. Summit MK II, I got a little worried. But regardless of what we call this color, I loved it the moment I saw it, so it doesn’t dampen my enthusiasm for this new Summit MK II trio.
The details of the Earthen Co. Summit MK II
Let’s start with the details of these new Summit variants. As you would expect, they follow the successful recipe of the initial series that Robert-Jan reviewed. These three MK IIs have the same case design, 38mm diameter, 10mm thickness, and 45mm lug-to-lug.
The dimensions are perfect for a variety of wrist sizes, including my 18.5cm wrist. If Earthen Co. had given these 36mm cases, they probably would have looked too small on me, so I was more than happy to see they fit perfectly. On top of that, the combination of colorful ceramic cases and matching/complementary dials gives the watches a lot of wrist presence, especially compared to the previous models, which only came in black or white ceramic.
The first of the three new Summit MK II models is the Dune Devil, featuring a beige ceramic case inspired by a sand-filled landscape. Its brown dial has the same numeral layout and multilayered pad-printed markers as the previous models. The minute track and Arabic numerals are executed in white, while the faux-vintage lume adds a nice touch.
The hands use a similar color combination. The hour and minute hands have a filling of vintage-colored lume, and the seconds hand is white. A nice surprise is that the vintage-tone lume glows green in the dark, whereas the white numerals light up blue.
Another colorful touch is the orange ring around the crown, matching the orange rubber insert surrounding the dial. Along with the brown dial and beige case, it echoes desert sunsets and creates a warm overall aesthetic. This version comes with both a dark brown FKM rubber strap and an orange one.
The Earthen Co. Summit MK II Glade
The second of the three models is the Glade, which has a dark green ceramic case inspired by grassy forest pastures. Inside it sits a mint-green full-lume dial with black-outlined white numerals and markings.
Hovering over the dial are hour and minute hands filled with white lume. The seconds hand features the same circular counterweight and crisp white paint as on the Dune Devil model, and the Glade’s crown has a mint-green accent to match the dial color. This watch also comes with two straps, here in moss-green and gray FKM rubber.
In the dark, the full-lume dial glows bright green. For contrast, the white lume on the hands lights up blue in the dark. It’s a fun, colorful detail that also helps in practical ways for any nighttime adventures you have planned.
The Earthen Co. Summit MK II Après-Bleu
The third and last model will probably be the biggest hit out of the three. It has a dark blue ceramic case and a matching dial featuring a white minute track and vintage-colored luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. The cream accent on the crown matches the lume color, and the watch comes with navy and khaki FKM rubber straps. In the dark, the numerals and markings light up green.
Overall, this Après-Bleu version is the one that immediately stood out to most people on the Fratello team. The full-blue aesthetic looks super cool, and the cream-colored accents provide a nice vintage touch. If Earthen Co. had used white lume, the watch would have looked colder and a bit more sterile.
The Miyota 9039
All three Summit MK II models house Miyota’s 9039 caliber. This 24-jewel automatic movement operates at 28,800 vph, offers a 42-hour power reserve, and has a stated accuracy of -10/+30 seconds per day. It’s a popular pick among small brands because it lets them keep prices affordable while still delivering great reliability. The Miyota 9039 is also often much more accurate than the officially communicated numbers suggest.
The case back of the Earthen Co. Summit MK II is very straightforward. It is secured with four screws and features practical info about the watch, such as the brand and model names and the 100m depth rating. In the middle, you find the brand’s mountain logo, which is also on the lower half of each dial. As you can see, the textured rubber straps feature quick-release spring bars, making it easy to switch between the two provided options for each variant.
Wearing the Earthen Co. Summit MK II series
I could spend a lot of words on how the watches wear, but most of all, this colorful trio is great fun. While IWC’s Mark series has a serious tool-watch presence, the Summit MK II variants present colorful, affordable alternatives. The ceramic cases add a lovely level of playfulness. But don’t be fooled by the colors because, as brand founder Johnathan Chan emphasized, the Summit series was designed for active wear. Therefore, they have the specs to match that adventurous character.
On the wrist, the detailed case finishing also stands out. As Robert-Jan also alluded to in his review, the mix of satin and brushed finishes removes the plasticky feel many ceramic watches have. A good example is the vertical brushing on the lugs, which contrasts nicely with the polished chamfers. Details like these come to life on the wrist. Depending on how the light hits the watches, their presence changes. It’s a big part of what makes wearing them so fun.
Ideal proportions for wrists of many sizes
In terms of proportions, the watches sit super comfortably on the wrist. What immediately stands out is that, with their 10mm profiles, the watches look nice and slim. Multiple people in the Fratello office tried on the Summit MK II, and it fit everyone’s wrists well. Most enthusiasts should be able to wear these watches with no problems at all.
Another thing that stood out to me when I wore the three models was that they all had playful details. One example is the oversized crown, which I adore. The size adds character, and combined with the distinct knurling, it makes it super easy to grip and rotate. The colorful accent is another nice touch. Especially on the beige Dune Devil, it looks great with the matching orange rubber insert around the dial.
Final thoughts on the new Earthen Co. Summit MK II series
Along with the lovely proportions, the textured FKM rubber straps help make these watches a joy to wear. While lightweight, they also retain enough heft to remind you that you are wearing a watch. I like that because it amplifies the rugged feeling a tool watch should have. And that’s essentially what these watches are. The colors add a welcome playfulness, but they never made me feel like I wasn’t wearing a serious timepiece.
After wearing the three new Summit MK II models for several days, I was seriously impressed by how much fun they are, and I kept coming back to them. At US$899 before taxes, the new Earthen Co. Summit MK II series offers great value, and I think it will sell quickly. As mentioned, each variant comes with two straps, and Earthen Co. also includes a nice travel pouch. Whether you make the Summit MK II your stylish daily wearer or use it as an affordable “beater” on weekends or holidays, it is ready for whatever you throw at it.
I had a lot of fun matching the colors to my outfits, and the beige Dune Devil and the Après-Bleu models quickly became my favorites. after checking, I was also happy to find that my eyes didn’t deceive me. The Dune Devil’s case certainly isn’t a straightforward light brown, and I have the purple sweaters to back up that claim! All jokes aside, though, if you are looking for a fun, affordable daily wearer, look no further. The Earthen Co. Summit MK II series has you covered.
For more information, visit the official Earthen Co. website.
