Ocean To Orbit Himalayan Project “Rock Salt” - The tool watch that packs a punch
Some watches are born in a boardroom. Some are born in a moodboard. And then there’s the Ocean To Orbit Himalayan Project “Rock Salt”, which feels like it was born in an argument that ended with someone slamming a titanium case on the table and saying: “Right. Make it work at 8,000 metres.”
Because that’s the whole point here. The Himalayan Project line was developed with input and real-world testing from Nepalese mountaineer Mingma Gyabu “David” Sherpa, a man whose day job makes your “busy week” look like a soft play session. Prototypes went up K2, and the watch didn’t just survive, it became part of the ongoing development story.
Now, let’s talk about the “Rock Salt” bit. The name sounds like something you’d sprinkle on chips, but on the wrist it’s a smoky, grey core with a pale mineral-pink perimeter that’s equal parts glacier vibes and “I absolutely meant to choose this colour.” It’s a statement, but not the sort that needs to shout. More a quiet flex. The best kind.
Built for hardcore use
Ocean To Orbit have leaned hard into the idea of the modern tool watch. This isn’t faux-tactical. It’s properly thought-through design from the ground up, including an emphasis on legibility and durability.
At the centre of the spec sheet is a Grade 5 titanium case with surface hardening to 1200HV, which is the sort of number you quote when you want to stop worrying about door frames and start worrying about avalanches.
The dimensions are spot on for “serious watch, normal human wrist”: 40mm diameter, 47mm lug to lug, and 11.5mm thick to the top of the crystal.
And yes, it’s got the things you’d hope for: a box-dome sapphire crystal with internal colourless AR, a screw-down crown with clutch, and 100m water resistance, because mountains are wet and so are dishwashers.
Credit - Ocean To Orbit
The dial is basically a mountain range wearing glow-in-the-dark boots
The Himalayan Project’s signature move is the elevated index design, inspired by Himalayan topography, and capped with Ocean To Orbit’s “Lumicast” approach to lume. The end result is a dial that looks like it has depth, texture, and purpose rather than just… decoration.
And if you’re the sort who judges a watch by whether you can read it in a cinema without becoming that person who checks their phone, you’ll like this: the hands are loaded with double-thickness Super-LumiNova, and the whole package is built around performance and legibility first.
Credit - Ocean To Orbit
Movement: Swiss, sensible, and exactly what you want here
Inside is the Sellita SW200-1 (no date), a Swiss-made automatic movement that’s essentially the horological equivalent of ordering the reliable option on the menu and enjoying your evening. It runs at 28,800 bph (4Hz) with a 41-hour power reserve, and you get hacking seconds, plus manual winding.
No date might annoy some people. Personally, I love it here. It keeps the dial clean, keeps the mission clear, and keeps you from doing the “quick-set date dance” on months with fewer than 31 days.
Final thoughts: Who is the Rock Salt for?
If you want a tool watch that looks like a tool watch, this is it. If you want a tool watch that’s been tested in environments where your iPhone would simply give up and ask to be recycled, this is also it. And if you want something that’s tough, modern, and just different enough to spark a conversation without screaming for attention, the Rock Salt colourway nails it.
A serious watch with a slightly mischievous edge. Which, frankly, is the best kind of watch.
Price and availability
For UK buyers, the preorder pricing has been listed at £995 including VAT, with delivery timelines stated around March/April 2026, depending on the allocation and phase. (Which is either “a while away” or “plenty of time to pretend you’re being sensible with money”, depending on your personality.)