Serica continues to expand its collection while maintaining its high standards. The Parisian brand pays particular attention to color and its founder Jérôme Burgert is known for being meticulous in finding the right shades. I remember discussing with him the light blue ceramic bezel of the 5303-3 dive watch. 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 on the dial and bezel, the latter representing a particularly difficult task. The result is an interesting new version of Serica’s GMT.
I always enjoy discussing design details with Burgert, whether it’s colors, dimensions, finishes or style inspiration. We share an appreciation for the thinking behind these decisions, even if we don’t necessarily agree on the outcome. Color is particularly subjective, but getting a particular shade can make all the difference. In this case, I think Burgert and his team struck a great balance with the Golden Green.
Details of the Serica 8315 Golden Green Travel Stopwatch
The new Golden Green retains the specifications of its predecessors. Its stainless steel case measures 39mm wide, 12.3mm thick and 46.5mm lug to lug. It also offers a depth of 200 m. A combination of brushed and polished surfaces emphasizes the elegant proportions of the case.
The bidirectional bezel features a single-block ceramic insert, divided into ivory and golden-green sections. As in previous versions, it contains two 12-hour scales: one for the morning and another for the afternoon.
The green section represents day, while the ivory section indicates night. Burgert also incorporated an asymmetry in the scales, making the nighttime portion visually longer than the daytime portion. We have also seen this concept on the Grand Seiko Sport Series GMTs.
Serica was inspired by the golden green of the warm light of sunrise. The result is a subtle shade that changes significantly depending on the lighting. It can appear golden beige in some conditions and pale green in others, giving the scope a character that is difficult to capture in photography.
Green in the spotlight on the new 8315 travel chronometer
Getting green isn’t easy, especially when working with lighter shades. I generally prefer darker greens without too much yellow, but a little warmth can make a lighter shade considerably more appealing. This is precisely what Serica has achieved here. Gold undertones soften the green without making it look washed out or too vibrant.
The bezel is paired with an olive green enameled dial with white and gold details. When the watch arrived, I had difficulty determining the exact color of the dial. Depending on the light, it can appear almost black, dark brown, or distinctly dark green. This changing appearance gives the dial a lot of visual interest.
Its presentation will be familiar to anyone familiar with Serica sports watches. A white minute track surrounds the beige Super-LumiNova C3 indexes with gold frames. Rectangular hour markers indicate 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock, while round hour markers for the other hours are located more towards the center of the dial. This unusual arrangement has become a recognizable element of Serica’s design language.
My favorite Serica 8315 travel stopwatch to date
The dial is topped with white lacquered hands in the familiar Serica style. The special feature is the lollipop-shaped GMT hand, which features a special golden-green filling to match the bezel. The hour and minute hands contain Super-LumiNova which complements the dial and glows green in the dark.
Compared to the previously released Email Black and Sand Red versions, this one seems 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 deviating from the established design of the 8315.
Inside is the COSC-certified GMT Soprod C125 automatic caliber. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, contains 23 jewels and offers a power reserve of 42 hours. Serica uses the same movement throughout the 8315 collection.
The C125 is a caller-style GMT movement, meaning the 24-hour hand can be independently adjusted in one-hour increments. It’s not 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. These days I don’t cross time zones often, so it’s usually enough to set the watch once.
The Serica Expedition bracelet
The Golden Green comes on Serica’s Expedition bracelet, featuring specially designed end links that seamlessly integrate with the case. Their guilloché finish echoes the knurling of the bezel, adding a lovely textural detail.
Daan reviewed the Expedition bracelet separately last year, so I won’t go into all the details here. I particularly like its construction, which combines a mesh core with separate links inside the 20mm bracelet. It gives the bracelet a refined appearance, while the overall quality is a notable improvement over the mesh bracelet fitted to the brand’s 5303 diver.
As Daan explained in his review, the bracelet consists of two connected sections. The top one has a branded spring-loaded clasp that hooks onto a bar on the bottom. You can position the bar wherever needed to get the right fit. To secure the bracelet, simply open the clasp with your fingernail and hook it to the bar.
Wearing the Serica 8315 Golden Green Travel Stopwatch
Adjusting the bracelet is simple thanks to its easily repositionable bar. However, getting the clasp to engage smoothly takes some practice. At first I struggled, as finding the right angle wasn’t particularly intuitive. But after a few days, the process became much easier.
It got me thinking about practicality, especially early in the morning. I enjoy certain rituals linked to watchmaking, such as winding the movement of my VPC Type 37HW. But I also appreciate being able to put on a watch quickly and without hassle. The Expedition bracelet is not as simple as I would like, but I have gotten used to it.
Using the Soprod C125 is quite simple. After unscrewing the crown, the first position adjusts the 24-hour GMT hand in one-hour increments. I noticed a little play in the hand when moving the crown back and forth in this position. Pulling it to the second position allows you to set the main time, and the mechanism seems much more precise here, with no noticeable play between the crown and hands.
Final Thoughts on the New Serica 8315 Golden Green Travel Chronometer
Once attached to the wrist, the 8315 Golden Green is a pleasure to wear. Its dimensions fit my wrist well and I love the color combination. The dial and bezel give it a distinctive appearance without compromising Serica’s familiar aesthetic. The Expedition bracelet also adds plenty of character, especially with its textured end links, and is comfortable once fitted correctly.
Of the three 8315 versions, this one is by far my favorite. In fact, it ranks as one of my favorite Serica watches, alongside the blue dial 5303 diver that Daan owns. The two watches are distinguished in part by their unusual bezel colors, for which Burgert clearly invested a lot of time in the development. These choices demonstrate how much a carefully considered color can contribute to the identity of a watch. Rather than just following familiar trends, Serica has created something all her own.
The Serica 8315 Golden Green Travel Stopwatch is available now on the official Serica website for €2,090 (including taxes). In the competitive travel watch segment, it offers a distinctive alternative to more conventional GMT models. Golden Green brings a warmer, lighter character to the collection, and its carefully considered colors make it my favorite version to date. It’s a compelling example of how a thoughtful change in color can give a new identity to an established design.
Gn tech
