Pricing and Availability
The more affordable movement, omission of more complicated tech like the helium escape valve, and the fact that the watch is now mass-produced in Japan instead of painstakingly hand-assembled by Yao himself in America mean the Fulcrum 39 costs roughly half what its predecessor cost more than a decade ago — and that’s not even accounting for inflation.
The Fulcrum debuted at $1,925 in 2013. The Fulcrum 39 costs just $995. That’s a pretty huge difference (accounting for inflation, that $1,925 in 2013 would be $2,608 today), and at that price, this watch is an absolute no-brainer for anyone looking to get a well-built tool watch with MilSub vibes.
Having said that, I expect demand to be through the roof. Mk II watches have always been hot commodities, with the brand’s “Benchmade” series often commanding years-long waits. Its “Ready to Wear” watches, which is what the Fulcrum 39 is, are easier to get a hold of but still sell out frequently, with long gaps before restocks.
So if you want a Fulcrum 39, I suggest signing up on Mk II’s website to be notified as soon as they become available on January 31. Oh, to further sweeten the pot, the first 100 watches sold will include both a black rubber strap and milspec Nytex I-M2 woven nylon strap in addition to the bracelet.