The Bausele Elemental Review: More Than Just an Australian Watch
- Bryan
- 15 hours ago
- 6 min read
I’ve always had a soft spot for Australian watchmaking.
Maybe it’s because Australia has always felt like a second home, albeit one that is quite far away. I’ve been lucky enough to visit a couple of times over the years, and every trip leaves me wanting to come back. In fact, we have another trip planned for 2027. There’s something difficult to describe about the country. The people are open and fun, the scenery is stunning, the food is lovely, and the quiet, laid-back beach lifestyle draws me in.
That connection is part of the reason Bausele has always fascinated me.
Unlike many microbrands that rarely rely on provenance, Bausele is proudly Australian. From being the official timekeeper for the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race to supplying watches to the Royal Australian Air Force, Bausele has embraced its Australian heritage.
The Elemental, however, takes that philosophy a step further.
Rather than celebrating a single place, it celebrates Australia itself through its four defining elements: earth, air, fire, and water. The dial isn’t simply textured for the sake of looking interesting. Indeed, it reflects the rugged terrain that has shaped the country for millions of years. The case and crown continue Bausele’s tradition of embedding a physical piece of Australia into the watch, creating a tangible connection between the owner and the landscape.
What’s particularly interesting is that the Elemental wasn’t an overnight creation. According to founder Christophe Hoppe, it represents nearly a decade of ideas finally coming together: the proportions, the dial, the movement, and the signature crown chamber, all executed as he had originally envisioned.
It’s not just an Australian-designed watch. It’s a watch that reminds me of why I fell in love with Australia in the first place. And the minute it was announced, I placed my order.
Needless to say, I had to be patient. The order was placed in November of 2025, with the watch arriving only one month ago (June, 2026). I can understand why, given its microbrand status, and the watch was certainly worth the wait, but I think I am done with pre-orders for the time being.
Bausele Elemental: The Case and Crown
At 39.5mm in diameter and 47mm lug to lug, it sits in what I consider the sweet spot for a modern everyday sports watch. It’s substantial enough to have presence on the wrist without ever feeling oversized, while the relatively slim profile, at 11.7mm and balanced proportions, make it exceptionally comfortable to wear throughout the day. Bausele has clearly spent a lot of time refining the ergonomics, and it shows.
The finishing is equally impressive. Brushed surfaces dominate the case, giving the Elemental a purposeful, tool-watch aesthetic, while polished chamfers catch the light just enough to elevate the overall design. It’s a level of finishing that feels well above what I’d typically expect at this price point.
Of course, no discussion of a Bausele would be complete without mentioning the crown.
Since the brand’s earliest watches, Bausele has hidden a small piece of Australia inside the crown, which is a signature feature that has become synonymous with the company. On my Oceanic Blue model, that tiny chamber contains genuine sand from Manly Beach in Sydney.
During my first trip to Australia, I spent many hours walking up and down that beach, so this little touch resonates with me deeply, even if some may consider it a simple gimmick.
The crown itself is excellent from a practical standpoint as well. Its generous size makes winding and setting the time effortless, while the deeply knurled edge provides plenty of grip. Combined with the reassuring feel of the screw-down action and 200 meters of water resistance, one feels like this watch could go anywhere and do anything.
Lastly, we have to talk about the bezel. The watch uses a double-bezel sitting together inside of a single frame. On the outer ring lies the elapsed minutes, allowing the user to time their dive, or more realistically, time their cooking. The inner ring displays the 12-hour scale, which provides the ability to keep track of a second time zone, which, as a lover of all things GMT, makes me quite happy.
The Movement
Unlike many other microbrands who use NH or Miyota movements, the Elemental uses a Swiss movement, which could give it a bit of extra credibility amongst movement snobs in a crowded field. That said, it’s a fairly standard Sellita SW200 rather than anything especially exotic, and the 38-hour power reserve is on the modest side by modern standards.
It’s not bad. It’s not great. There are movement offerings from Miyota that might have provided a higher power reserve, while maintaining 28,800 beats per hour. But the Sellita is solid and likely to stand the test of time. Not to mention it’s easily serviceable by any competent watchmaker.
Bracelet and Clasp
The stainless steel bracelet continues the design language established by the case, with predominantly brushed surfaces and polished accents that tie the entire watch together. Rather than feeling like a generic bracelet sourced to fit the watch, it feels purpose-built for the Elemental.
The bracelet itself feels reassuringly solid. There is no noticeable rattle, the tolerances between the links are excellent, and the overall construction inspires confidence. Bausele has clearly invested in quality here, and it shows every time you pick up the watch. At this price point, it’s exactly what I’d hope for from a modern sports watch.
Comfort is generally excellent as well. Once sized using the pin and collar system, the bracelet sits securely on the wrist. While the dated system is disappointing, Bausele has included a watch pin removal tool in the box. The brushed finish also does a good job of hiding the inevitable desk-diving marks that accumulate during everyday wear.
That said, there are issues.
The bracelet is noticeably stiff, particularly when compared to more traditional three-link designs. It reminds me of the bracelets found on many integrated sports watches, where the larger, flatter links prioritize visual cohesion over immediate flexibility. Because the first few links don’t articulate downward very much, the watch exhibits a slight amount of overhang on my wrist. It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s also not visually appealing.
Thankfully, the clasp goes a long way toward making up for that.
Bausele has equipped the Elemental with a well-executed milled clasp that feels substantial without being overly bulky. The microadjust system is perfect for hot summer days. The mechanism is simple to operate, holds its position securely, and makes it much easier to achieve the perfect fit than relying solely on half-links.
Conclusion
The Elemental is a great watch for me. I understand that it’s not for everybody. Integrated sports watches usually aren’t my thing either, and the design is certainly striking, even a little polarizing at first glance. And I’ll be honest, I could have done without the cyclops. But, as they say, variety is the spice of life.
In a market flooded with integrated sports watches that often feel like variations on the same theme, the Elemental has its own identity. From the layered dial inspired by Australia’s landscapes, to the unique twin-function bezel, to the crown containing genuine sand from Manly Beach on my Oceanic Blue model, this is a watch that tells a story without relying on
nostalgia or paying homage to something else.
The case is beautifully finished, the dial is unlike anything else in my collection, the Sellita SW200 is a dependable choice, and the bracelet, while a little stiff, pairs with an excellent on-the-fly micro-adjust clasp that makes daily wear a pleasure.
At US$795 (A$1,290) on the bracelet, the Elemental also represents strong value. You’re getting a Swiss automatic movement, 200 metres of water resistance, a thoughtfully designed case, an anti-magnetic Faraday cage, a unique dial construction, and a bracelet with tool-free micro-adjustment, all wrapped up in a design that doesn’t look or feel like every other sports watch on the market.
Overall, I am happy with my purchase. It’s more than just another microbrand sports watch; it’s a watch with a genuine sense of place, and one that I’m very happy to have in my collection.
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