Fan-vote watches can go wrong quickly. The brief gets too broad, the winning design becomes a compromise, and the finished watch ends up feeling more like a campaign souvenir than a watch someone would actually choose.

The new Seiko Prospex HBC011 avoids most of that because Seiko kept the vote focused.

For the 60th anniversary of the Seiko diver's watch, Seiko ran the "1965 Diver New Model Voting Campaign" from July 1 to July 31, 2025. Fans were asked to choose between four designs inspired by the sea at different times of day: sunrise, daytime, late afternoon, and sunset. The winner was the daytime-sunlight version, now released as the Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch Fan-selected Limited Edition HBC011 (Seiko press release).

That matters because the public did not redesign the whole watch. The fan choice is concentrated where it makes the most sense: the color and texture. Seiko describes the finished watch as "Daytime Blue," with a vibrant blue dial and bezel inspired by the ocean reflecting sunlight. The dial pattern draws from Seiko's wave mark, a symbol tied to the brand's diver history since 1975, and Seiko's special page notes that only the blue-dial model will be commercially available (Seiko press release, Seiko special page).

Under that dial, the formula is much more familiar. Seiko's official U.S. product page lists a 40.0mm stainless-steel case, 13.0mm thickness, 46.4mm lug-to-lug, 20mm lug spacing, curved sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating, Lumibrite on the hands, indexes, and bezel, a unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-down crown, screw caseback, and 300m / 1000ft diver's water resistance (Seiko product page).

The movement is Seiko's Caliber 6R55, an automatic with manual winding, stop seconds, 24 jewels, a stated precision of +25 to -15 seconds per day, and approximately 72 hours of power reserve. The caseback is marked "LIMITED EDITION" and carries an individual serial number, with the total run limited to 4,500 pieces (Seiko product page, Seiko press release).

The U.S. price is USD 1,400, and Seiko lists the release for October 2026 (Seiko product page). T3's August 26, 2026 coverage also frames the watch around the fan-selected 60th-anniversary story and reports U.K. preorder pricing of GBP 1,350, but the U.S. draft should use Seiko's own U.S. price as the main figure (T3).

The best angle here is restraint. Seiko could have made the vote the entire product. Instead, it asked fans to choose the view through the window, then left the hull alone. The result is not a radical Prospex, and it does not need to be. It is a 40mm mechanical Seiko diver with a good public story and a dial that has a reason to exist.

Seiko let fans pick the sea. Then it kept the diver a Seiko.

The new Nodus Sector II Dive - Holme & Hadfield Edition has a simple hook: the dial looks like it is floating.

That sounds like marketing copy until you look at how the watch is built. Holme & Hadfield's official collaboration page says the watch uses a sapphire dial layer that suspends the luminous indices, markers, and both brand logos above a black base, creating a floating effect inspired by the brand's glass-top display cases (Holme & Hadfield official collaboration page).

That makes the collaboration feel unusually coherent. Holme & Hadfield is not just adding a logo to a dial. Its core product idea - displaying objects under glass - becomes the dial architecture.

The watch underneath is the Nodus Sector II Dive. The official specs list a 316L stainless steel case body, CuAl5 bronze bezel, CuAl5 bronze screw-down crown, 40mm bezel width, 38mm case width, 11.9mm thickness, 47mm lug-to-lug, 20mm lug width, box sapphire crystal with blue anti-reflective coating underneath, a 60-click unidirectional bezel with a matte DLC-coated steel insert, Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A, and 100 meters of water resistance (Holme & Hadfield official collaboration page).

The movement is a TMI NH38 no-date automatic with 24 jewels, 41 hours of power reserve, >=4800 A/m magnetic resistance, and regulation by Nodus to +/-10 seconds per day. The bracelet tapers from 20mm to 16mm and uses the proprietary Nodus Extension Module clasp with quick-release spring bars (Holme & Hadfield official collaboration page).

The release is small. Holme & Hadfield lists the edition at 75 pieces and US $650, with VIP list access opening August 27 at 12PM EST and public access opening August 28 at 12PM EST if stock remains (Holme & Hadfield official collaboration page). Gear Patrol and Oracle Time both published dated August 21, 2026 coverage confirming the same basic release story, including the 75-piece limit and US $650 price (Gear Patrol, Oracle Time).

The caveat is water resistance. This should not be pitched as a professional dive-watch story. The official spec is 100 meters, and the source material does not establish an ISO dive-watch certification. The cleaner angle is visual: an affordable automatic tool watch with one memorable dial-construction idea.

That is enough.

The best collaborations do not just swap colors or add a second logo. They make the partner's identity visible in the object.

This one does that.

It is a display case turned into a dial.

The most interesting affordable diver of the week is not a buy-now recommendation.

It is the Héron Marinor Rainbow White, reference 3301-B, and Héron's own structured product feed currently lists it as unavailable. The same official feed lists the watch at US $600 and shows it was published on July 27, 2026. Source: Héron official product data.

That does not make it irrelevant. It makes the story clearer.

The watch is a 39mm automatic skin diver with a 46mm lug-to-lug, hardened stainless steel case, boxed sapphire crystal, screw-down crown and caseback, 250 meters of water resistance, FKM tropical rubber strap, and Miyota 9039 movement. Source: Héron product page.

The useful part is that none of those specs are the real hook.

The dial is.

Héron took the decompression-scale look from old rainbow dive watches and moved it onto a metallic white dial. On the earlier dark version, the rainbow layout reads louder and more graphic. On the white version, it becomes cleaner, almost like an instrument panel.

Oracle Time's July 28, 2026 coverage notes that the Rainbow White also switches away from the earlier rainbow-colored sapphire bezel and uses a steel countdown bezel instead. The same article lists UK pricing at GBP 450 on rubber or GBP 490 on bracelet. Source: Oracle Time.

That change matters. A rainbow decompression scale can easily tip into novelty. The white dial and steel bezel pull this one back toward tool-watch territory without sanding away the personality.

This is the kind of microbrand release that explains why the sub-US-$1,000 watch space is still interesting. It is not just about putting familiar specs into a cheaper case. The good ones have a clear point of view.

The Marinor Rainbow White has that.

It is compact. It is properly water resistant. It has a modern automatic movement. It has a dial people will understand in one second. And, at US $600, it sits in the part of the market where an enthusiast can get excited without pretending this is a luxury purchase.

The catch is availability.

At the time checked, Héron's official structured product feed shows the watch as not in stock. Source: Héron official product data.

So the right framing is not "go buy this." It is "look at what sold through."

Affordable watch buyers still respond when a small brand gives them a real design idea, a useful size, and specs that do not feel like filler.

The frustrating part is availability.

The interesting part is demand.

Affordable true GMTs are not rare anymore. That is exactly why the new Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker Carbon is interesting.

The easy headline is the movement. Oracle Time reports that the TrailTrekker Carbon uses the Miyota 9075 automatic GMT, which has become one of the most important movements in the under-US-$2,000 travel-watch space. Source: Oracle Time.

Miyota's official 9075 page explains why. It describes the movement as a mechanical true-GMT automatic with individual hour-hand adjustment, stop-seconds, automatic and hand winding, a central GMT hand, approximately 42 hours of running time, 28,800vph frequency, and 24 jewels. Source: Miyota.

That matters, but it is no longer enough. The affordable GMT category has filled up quickly. Once the traveler-style movement is available across multiple brands, the rest of the watch has to carry more of the argument.

That is where the TrailTrekker Carbon has a clearer story. Oracle Time lists a 39.5mm case, 11.8mm thickness, gray DLC-coated stainless steel construction, 200m water resistance, steel flatlink bracelet, additional FKM rubber strap, and a US $1,075 price. Source: Oracle Time.

The visual hook is forged carbon. Oracle Time says the new model uses forged carbon on both the dial and 24-hour bezel insert, with Super-LumiNova infused into the carbon resin. That means the texture is not just a daytime surface trick; the dial and bezel should have a different personality after dark. Source: Oracle Time.

That is the part I like. This is not pretending to be a full carbon-case exotic. It is taking a proven GMT format and putting the visual drama where you actually look: the dial and bezel.

There is also a timing hook. Oracle Time reports that the TrailTrekker Carbon will be available first at Intersect Los Angeles on July 17 and 18, ahead of general sale beginning July 22. Nodus's official product page now lists the TrailTrekker - Carbon at US $1,075, says online ordering opens July 22 at 9:00AM Pacific Time, and says shipping begins July 24. Sources: Oracle Time, Nodus.

Nodus also confirms the important specs directly: a 39.5mm by 11.8mm by 46.6mm 316L stainless steel case with matte gray DLC coating, 200m water resistance, a fully lumed forged-carbon fixed 24-hour bezel, a lumed date wheel, a Miyota 9075 GMT movement, 42 hours of power reserve, and regulation to +/-8 seconds per day. Source: Nodus.

Still, as a watch-news item, the TrailTrekker Carbon gets the category right. The Miyota 9075 gets it into the affordable true-GMT conversation, but the material treatment gives it a reason to stand out.

The movement gets you in the conversation. The carbon makes people stop scrolling.

Swatch just released the summer watch it probably should have led with.

The new What If...Jelly? collection is not mechanical, not a dive watch, and not built around a luxury partner. It is a set of five square, transparent, brightly colored quartz Swatches priced at US $105. That may be exactly why it works.

Worn & Wound introduced the collection on July 14, 2026, and framed it against Swatch's bigger crossover-watch conversation. The point is useful: Swatch can make noise with collaborations, but the brand's real charm often comes from original designs that feel cheap, cheerful, and unmistakably Swatch. Source: Worn & Wound.

The official Swatch collection page describes What If...Jelly? as five square watches built around transparency, bold color, and biosourced materials. The five launch colors are Black, Blue, Mint, Orange, and Magenta. Source: Swatch What If...Jelly? collection.

The Magenta product page gives the cleanest spec check. Swatch lists it at US $105 with a quartz movement, day-date window, biosourced case and glass, silicone strap, buckle clasp, 41.80mm width, 10.50mm thickness, 33.25mm height, and 2 bar water resistance. The product description says the watch has a square matte transparent biosourced case and edge-to-edge biosourced glass, with a purple dial, turquoise hour and minute hands, a white seconds hand, and a day-date window at 3 o'clock. Source: Swatch What If...See Thru Magenta?.

None of that makes this a technical overachiever. A 2 bar water-resistance rating is a reminder that this is a casual Swatch, not a beach diver. The quartz movement and day-date display are there to keep the watch useful, not to impress a spec-sheet crowd.

That restraint is part of the appeal. The What If...Jelly? does not ask Swatch to become a microbrand, a luxury house, or a nostalgia machine. It asks Swatch to be Swatch: colorful, plastic-adjacent, affordable, graphic, and unserious in the right way.

There is one buyer-facing caveat. Stock appeared to vary by color during research. The official product data I captured from the Magenta page showed Magenta, Mint, and Blue as available, while Black and Orange appeared out of stock. That can change quickly, so any final post should avoid saying all five are available without a fresh check. Source: Swatch What If...See Thru Magenta?.

Still, as a story, this is refreshingly clear. In a week full of limited microbrand drops and ever more elaborate value propositions, Swatch made a $105 watch that looks like summer and does not need much explanation.

Swatch does not need to borrow hype when it remembers how to make fun watches. The best Swatch release of the summer might be the one that looks most like Swatch.

The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time has always been easy to recommend in theory. It has a recognizable dial, a real dress-watch personality, and the kind of Seiko charm that makes people forgive a few spec-sheet compromises.

The catch has often been the case. For some wrists, the familiar Cocktail Time shape could feel a little larger than the style wanted to be.

That is why the new Seiko Presage Cocktail Time HCB001, HCB002, and HCB003 are more interesting than a simple color refresh. Fratello reports that the new trio uses a 38.5mm stainless steel case with a 45.4mm lug-to-lug measurement and 11.8mm thickness including the crystal. Source: Fratello.

Those numbers matter. This is not a sports watch trying to dominate the wrist. It is a dressy everyday Seiko built around dial texture, light, and color. At 38.5mm, the Cocktail Time idea makes more sense.

The basic formula is still familiar. Fratello lists a box-shaped Hardlex crystal, a see-through screw-in caseback, 50m water resistance, and Seiko's 4R35 automatic movement with manual winding, hacking seconds, 23 jewels, a 21,600vph beat rate, and approximately 41 hours of power reserve. Source: Fratello.

The dials are the point. The HCB001 is blue and comes on a stainless steel bracelet. The HCB002 is green on a brown cow-leather strap. The HCB003 is a warm brown dial on a darker cow-leather strap. Fratello describes all three as gradient dials with a scratched texture, applied faceted markers, and a date at 4:30 that is less visually prominent than before. Source: Fratello.

Fratello lists the price at EUR 490. That keeps this in the zone where Seiko is not competing with high-end finishing; it is competing on taste, brand familiarity, and the simple pleasure of a dial that catches light well. Source: Fratello.

There are still practical caveats. The crystal is Hardlex, not sapphire, according to Fratello. Seiko's official U.S. HCB001 page confirms the 38.5mm case, 11.8mm thickness, 45.4mm lug-to-lug measurement, 4R35 movement, box-shaped Hardlex crystal, 5 bar water resistance, and see-through screw caseback. Source: Seiko.

But as a watch release, this works because the update is restrained. Seiko did not make the Cocktail Time louder, busier, or more expensive just for the sake of a headline. It made the watch smaller, softened the date presence, and gave the line three dials that still understand why people liked Cocktail Time watches in the first place.

Sometimes the best update is the one that makes the watch disappear on the wrist and reappear on the dial.

Christopher Ward has unveiled the C60 Pool Diver, a new summer-themed collaboration with seconde/seconde/ that follows the brand's earlier C65 Desk Diver.

Created with Romaric André of seconde/seconde/, this model takes the familiar dive watch format and makes it just a little less serious. The sandblasted white dial is divided into five zones, with corresponding icons on the bezel for poolside activities, while the date disc becomes a drinks indicator.

In terms of specs, there is still a very capable watch underneath all of that. Christopher Ward lists a 41mm stainless steel case, 11.45mm height, 47.8mm lug-to-lug measurement, 20 ATM / 200m water resistance, a white ceramic unidirectional bezel, anti-reflective sapphire crystal and a Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve.

The version linked here comes on Christopher Ward's Bader bracelet for US$1,475, while the blue, orange and white Aquaflex rubber strap versions are listed at US$1,250. The official page shows the C60 Pool Diver as a pre-order, with the order window closing on June 24th.

It is a fairly silly idea, but in a way that feels rather self-aware. Most dive watches spend more time around pools, desks and dinner tables than dive boats, and the C60 Pool Diver at least seems happy to admit it.

For more information see Christopher Ward's website.

The most interesting affordable Seiko this week is not a diver.

It is a dress watch.

Seiko's June 18, 2026 press release says four new Presage Classic Series watches are joining the collection, each with a dial inspired by Tomioka silk from Gunma Prefecture. The group includes three regular-production models, HCC001, HCC002, and HCC003, plus the HCC008 limited edition of 2,000 pieces. Source: Seiko press release.

That is already a good start, because the affordable-watch conversation can get stuck on the same few categories: divers, GMTs, field watches, and integrated-bracelet sports watches. A well-sized dress watch with a textured dial feels like a useful change of pace.

The official details are sensible. Seiko lists 38.0mm cases, 12.9mm thickness, dual-curved sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating, 10 bar water resistance, magnetic resistance of 4,800 A/m, and the automatic 6R51 movement with a 72-hour power reserve. Seiko's U.S. press release lists recommended retail prices of $950 for HCC001, HCC002, and HCC003, and $1,150 for the HCC008 limited edition. Source: Seiko press release.

The color story is the part that gives the release life. Seiko says the three regular-production dials use traditional Japanese color references tied to silk's natural luster: shironeri white, wakatake-iro green, and sakura-iro pink. The white and green models use stainless steel bracelets, while the pink model comes on a deep brown leather strap inspired by the trunk of a cherry tree. Source: Seiko press release.

That does not make these Grand Seikos, and the story should not pretend otherwise. The interesting point is that Seiko is taking some of the quiet color-and-texture appeal people associate with more expensive Japanese watches and putting it into a more accessible Presage package.

This is where Presage tends to make sense. It is not usually about one dramatic specification. It is about dial work, case balance, wearable size, and enough practicality to make a dress watch feel less fragile. A 38mm automatic with 10 bar water resistance and a 72-hour power reserve is not just a formal watch to wear twice a year; based on Seiko's official specs, it could be an everyday dress-leaning watch. Source: Seiko press release.

There is also a real cultural story behind the decoration. Seiko says Tomioka silk is produced in the region surrounding the Tomioka Silk Mill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that a portion of proceeds from the collection will support the Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization. That does not automatically make the watch better, but it gives the dial texture a clearer reason to exist. Source: Seiko press release.

That is the appeal here. The new Presage models are comfortably under US $2,000 in Seiko's own U.S. press materials, visually distinct without being loud, and easy to explain to a general audience: Seiko made a dress watch that does not rely on nostalgia alone.

Seiko does not need every Presage to shout.

This one works because it knows how to lower its voice.

Source: Seiko press release.

Christopher Ward has unveiled The Twelve Snake, a special edition of their popular integrated sports watch, designed in collaboration with French artist seconde/seconde/ to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

The Twelve Snake features a 40mm stainless steel case and comes in a striking Venom Green colorway, complete with a pixelated dial inspired by the iconic Snake mobile game from the late 1990s. This watch has a number of fun details including a custom snake rotor snake and a false date window that displays various insect "treats" that appear and disappear, mimicking the gameplay of the classic game.

Priced at $1,225 on a steel bracelet and $995 on a rubber strap, The Twelve Snake is available to pre-order now for a limited time, with deliveries starting in July.

For more information see Christopher Ward's website.

Zelos has unveiled yet another update to their collection, this time announcing six new colorways of the Swordfish 40, one of their best selling and value-for-money offerings.

The six new looks for this 40mm dive-style timepiece are:

• No-nonsense black
• "Sage Green" fumé dial
• "Nebula" purple fumé dial
• "Teal" fumé dial
• "Ember Orange" fully-lumed dial
• "Sky Blue" fully-lumed dial

Outside of the fresh coat of paint these models also boast an all new quick adjust clasp and sapphire bezels, making for a very compelling overall package, especially at the launch price of US$300.

he updated Swordfish 40 will go on sale starting November 10, for more information see Zelos' website.

Zelos has unveiled yet another new addition to their collection, this vintage-inspired chronograph dubbed the Vitesse.

According to the brand, this model harkens back to timepieces used during an intense period in 1960s motorsport, with a number of design elements - including a high domed sapphire crystal - taking their cues from that era.

In terms of specs, this one has a diameter of 40mm, a lug-to-lug measurement of 48mm and a thickness of 13mm. The engine here is the La Joux Perret L100 automatic chrono movement, featuring 68 hours of power reserve and customised rotor with spoked-wheel pattern.

The Vitesse comes in three distinct colourways; salmon, “Gulf” blue, and a classic black and white “panda” edition. All variants will be paired with a very nice looking 'Beads of Rice' bracelet and will be available starting August 4 for $1,200 USD.

For more information see Zelos' website.

If you’ve not seen one before, let me introduce you to the Seiko S-Wave, well, one of the many models released under the moniker during the sub-brand’s brief run. While information about this collection is limited, it seems Seiko used the name for a number of its more sporty and affordable offerings at the time, somewhat akin to the five line that would follow later. Sadly a lack of popularity meant the range only lasted a few years, and has faded into relative obscurity since.

While a great many S-Waves featured rather bold dial colours, the one I have here today is a much more subdued forest green, which can appear very dark depending on lighting conditions. In terms of overall design this is a really fun little timepiece, with the pop of red from the seconds hand and flowing curves of the stainless steel case. The contrast of the white fence post hour and minute hands makes for a very easy time reading experience. The day and date complication at four o’clock is always a practical addition, while the drilled lugs, applied logo and exhibition case back are nice touches, especially at the lower end of the market, where this model was positioned back in the day. Something that is present here that Seiko has long stopped offering with their entry-level watches is a signed crown, which rounds out what is a really rather attractive piece, one Seiko might do well to look back at and take inspiration from going forward.

In terms of specs, this watch has a case diameter of 38mm, a height of 12mm and a lug-to-lug measurement of 46mm, making it extremely wearable even on smaller wrists. The original band for this one was long gone before I picked it up, but from what I understand these were generally paired with a black leather strap, so I’ve been using a fairly plain Timex equivalent I had laying around. Thanks to the standard 20mm lug width there are no shortage of more exciting options out there, but I think this works well, at least for the time being.

This model comes equipped with an ‘A’ variant of the venerable 7s26 automatic movement, the very first of its kind Seiko ever produced, making this piece just a bit special. Of course, as you may very well expect after more than 20 years the example I have here isn’t running particularly great, with it losing a good couple of seconds every hour. Still, thanks to the prevalence of Seiko’s basic movements, if I was planning to start wearing this one regularly it wouldn’t be difficult or expensive to swap in a new one, or even perhaps the 7s26’s hacking and hand-winding cousin, the 4R36.

I do really like this little watch, it’s an easy wear and looks fantastic. I’m honestly surprised it didn’t get much love back in it’s heyday, still I’m very happy to have it the collection as something just slightly unusual.

TRASKA has unveiled an all-new addition to their collection, this vintage-inspired dual-crown dive watch, dubbed the Seafarer.

This 39mm model has been two years in development and is now the fifth in TRASKA’s stable, joining among others the very popular Freediver.

According to the brand’s owner this is a “loving homage to some of [his] favourite … dive watches” from the ‘50s and ‘60s, designed with the goal of “delivering … an aesthetic that is simple, functional and absolutely stunning to behold”.

Powered by the ever-reliable Miyota 9039 automatic movement, this piece features a boxed, double-domed Saphire crystal with underside AR, 150m of water resistance and a stainless steel case and bracelet finished with the company’s proprietary anti-scratch coating.

The Seafarer will be available in four distinct coulourways: an almost salmon Sun-Bleached Orange, Charcoal Black, Arctic White and of course the company’s signature Mint Green, starting June 5 for $570 USD.

Thanks for watching, please consider leaving a like or a comment, as it really does help grow the channel. See you in the next one.

For more information see TRASKA's website.

Today I’ll be taking a quick look at this, BOLDR’s very first Expedition model from back in 2018. I purchased this watch several months off the secondary market ago but am only covering in now, following the announcement that this watch is getting a re-release, with a limited number to be made available starting March 10.

If you’re unfamiliar with BOLDR, it is an independent watch brand based out of Singapore that began life with an initially successful Kickstarter campaign for a smartwatch, which was ultimately cancelled by the company due to unforeseen certification costs. They persisted, however, later returning to release a well-received quartz-powered chronograph dubbed the Journey, which lead to the creation of this watch and a number of other popular models in the years since.
In the marketing material covering the re-release, the company stated that this watch was the most requested to resurrected from their back catalogue, and I’m glad they finally acquiesced. I actually think this original Expedition accounts in large part for getting me into watches in the first place. I remember watching a video by the Time Teller showing off the Expedition version two next to the blue Everest variant of this and thinking the V1 was just a marvellous looking timepiece, while also wondering why on Earth they moved on to - what I think - is a fairly average-looking second iteration.

Anyway, let’s cover the specs quickly. This is a large, duel-crown field watch, featuring 200m of water resistance, a double-domed sapphire crystal and a Sellita SW200 automatic movement; which is Swiss-made, hacks, hand-winds and has a 38-hour power reserve. The 41mm bead-blasted stainless steel case has a thickness of 14mm, lug width of 20mm and a lug-to-lug measurement of 46mm.

I do really love the design of this watch, there’s just something about how the matte bead-plastered case, bold Arabics and squared-off syringe hands that come together to form a rugged yet rather pleasing aesthetic. Perhaps the real standout here are the duel crowns, they’re both screw-down and wonderfully knurled making them very easy to operate. I’m also a fan of the bright orange painted in the groove of the top crown that compliments the tip of the seconds hand nicely. If you’re wondering, the bottom crown is used to set the time and the date, while the top controls the inner rotating bezel, which can be used to mark countdowns, time elapsed or even as a compass.

While I’m still on the lookout for a blue Everest model, I’m very happy to have this white Eiger variant in the collection, especially given the magnificent full-lumed dial, which as you might expect performs admirably after dark. Here’s a quick sample.

One thing to note is that this watch comes on a canvas strap, not the leather one you see here. The canvas is nice and robust, it just isn’t quite my cup of tea. Another option though this time around is a stainless steel bracelet, which BOLDR is offering for the first time on this model.

I’m glad BOLDR is finally bringing this one back, albeit in a limited fashion. For those thinking about getting in on the re-release, it seems like what I have here is very similar to the White Sands variant on offer, but not exactly. All three of the 2022 variants have a centre cross hairs on their dial, a different case back pattern and a slightly different layout to the inner bezel. Also, in the case of the white one, the new model seems to have old-radium style ‘fauxtina’ lumed hands, which I’m not sure look quite as good as the standard white on this one. Regardless, if you’re interested in one of these, each colourway will be limited to 300 pieces and will go on sale starting March 10 for $599 USD.

For more information see BOLDRS's website.

Today I’ve got what I think is some pretty exciting news to share with you all. BOLDR has announced that they’re doing a limited re-release of this, the original version of the Expedition; their well-equipped 41mm field watch.

This 2022 edition differs somewhat from the 2018 model, with an ever-so-slightly tweaked dial and case back design, but stays true to the original with the same sleek bead-blasted stainless steel case and handset. The colour ways are also a little different to the initial offering, in particular the sandy khaki tones of the Rubʿ al-Khali model, which is all new.

According to the brand, the Expedition is “a tough, adventure-ready watch with impressive features to go along with its attractive design”, which "has remained the company’s most highly requested watch to return by fans”.

I may have been one of those asking for this to come back, honestly the second iteration of the Expedition - that BOLDR has been selling now for a number of years - just doesn’t do it for me, but the design of this one I just love. It’s unfortunate they’re not offering a blue Everest option this time around as that’s the one I’ve been chasing for some time, I did manage to find a white full-lume dial model a few months back though that I really do enjoy wearing. It’s actually incredibly similar to the White Sands variant being offered here, so let me know if you’d like to see a quick impressions video of that one.

Just the original, this watch features 200m of water resistance, a double-domed sapphire crystal and a Sellita SW200 automatic movement. The re-release Expedition goes on sale March 10 for $599 USD. Each variant is limited to just 300 pieces, so if you’re interested in this one make sure you get in quick.

For more information see BOLDRS's website.

Today I’ll be taking a look at the 2022 edition of the TRASKA Freediver, quite a popular microbrand dive watch, which I’ve been wearing pretty well exclusively now for the past week.

If you’re unfamiliar with TRASKA, it is an independent American watch brand based out of Florida, founded by Jonathan Mack in 2017. The company’s success to date was largely built off the back of their first Kickstarter campaign for the original version of this very watch back in early 2018, which was fully funded in just a few hours.

This is the fourth iteration of the Freediver and, as you might expect, this model comes with a number of welcome refinements over its predecessors. The most obvious of these being a significant redesign of the handset and dial, undertaken with the aim of improving legibility. The lumed minute markers on the ceramic bezel insert are now also fully graduated, giving you better precision when timing dives or whatever you’ve next got in the oven.

The Freediver comes in four different colourways: Carbon Black, Stone Grey, Arctic White and what I have here, the company’s signature Mint Green. All colourways are available in date and no-date variants. While likely not the most popular choice, I opted for the date complication on my unit as I find myself neglecting watches that are time-of-day only.

Going over the specs just quickly, the case for this one measures in at 40.5mm across, 48mm lug-to-lug and a thickness of 10.5mm, which is quite slim for this style of watch at this end of the market. I’m not sure how but my collection has come to include far too many watches with odd lug widths, so the standard 20mm here makes a welcome change.

Powering this one is a Japanese Miyota 9000 series auto, a solid high beat movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

The sapphire crystal here has a generous layer of anti-reflective coating and is boxed style double domed, though the dome is incredibly subtle and could be mistaken as flat on first glance.

The water resistance rating on this one is a perfectly acceptable but uninspiring 200m.

With the specs out of the way let’s focus in on the design. The 316L stainless steel case is a well-executed but fairly simple, mostly brushed affair, with just slightest hint of polish along the chamfered outer edge of the drilled lugs. The black ceramic bezel is a highlight for me here though, there is a slight amount of back play but the action is fantastic and it looks great. The substantial coin edge feels fantastic and the engraved ceramic is very well done and has a healthy application of lume. Turning to the dial and, yeah, I think this one really does come together quite nicely. The trapezoidal hour markers and hands match perfectly and the white, black and mint colour scheme on the one I have is really rather pleasant. It has also proven to be extremely legible in all lighting conditions, making the redesign a successful one I think.

I received a question from a subscriber asking my thoughts on the circular date window at six O’Clock and it does seem like a bit of an odd choice, why not just go with a trapezoidal window? Perhaps the designer felt the circular date portal, along with the lollipop seconds hand and circle top lume pip helped to offset the sharper angles prominent throughout the rest of the design. I’d still like to see what a different approach might look like but I feel it mostly works as is, and it is honestly growing on me more as time goes by.

The signed, screw-down crown is large and plenty grippy, making time adjustments a breeze.

Quite a few microbrands have come out with some pretty wild case backs in recent times, not so here though with the back being surprisingly sterile, engraved with just the core specifications; possibly a decision made to keep the watch as thin as possible.

The bracelet here is a good one; very well finished, solid end links, screw pins and an excellent clasp. I had to remove three links for my 6 1/2” wrist and had no trouble getting a comfortable fit thanks to the four holes of micro adjust.

Here’s a quick lume shot for those curious what it looks like after dark. The lume here is BGW9 Super-LumiNova and there’s a good amount of it, making for a healthy glow.

There really isn’t a lot to complain about this one, the main thing that somewhat bothers me is the rotor whine seemingly inherent to Miyota movements. Here’s a quick sample of what I mean… On wrist it’s only notice in a very quiet settings but when you do catch it it just sounds a bit cheap, making my wish TRASKA had have opted for a different engine. Not a deal breaker by any means, just something to be aware of if you’re looking to pick one of these up.

Overall I’m very happy to add this one to the collection, I love the colour and clean design of the dial. I think the asking price here of $600 USD is very reasonable for what you’re getting. You can really tell this is a design that has been honed over time, with very few weak points.

For more information see TRASKA's website.