The Nautage Diver or the Nautage DA221 as it’s labeled has been receiving loads of buzz on social media and for a great cause. The introductory mannequin from this younger model, primarily based out of Denmark, is sort of engaging, is available in just a few completely different finishes, and boasts a Miyota 9039 No Date motion for about $430. The design has some similarities to different manufacturers which I’ll get into shortly, however past being a handsome watch case, it additionally has an awesome rubber strap, and if black just isn’t your colour, otherwise you like to face out slightly extra , there are about 10 different strap colours obtainable for buy, and relying on what sale is presently operating, you may even snag your self a second one at no cost. As with many microbrand watches at this value level, there are some compromises available, so let’s focus on.
Specs:
41 x 50 x 12mm – 22mm lug width
120 Grams
Bead Blasted Case
Sapphire Crystal
120 Click on Unidirectional Metal Bezel With DLC Coating
200m Water Resistant
Miyota 9039 No Date Motion
C3 Superluminova (Black dial)
Vulcanized NBR rubber, saltwater- and UVA-resistant
Nation of Origin- China
Value $428-$437 USD (Value can fluctuate relying on present conversion)
https://nautage.watch/
Let’s begin with design. The Nautage Diver has slightly little bit of Panerai within the bezel, and the case design reminds one among Stowa and their Professional Diver, or possibly even Unimatic U2, and possibly even just a few classic items. The proprietor of Nautage, Christian, says his inspiration really was the Unimatic however wished one thing slightly extra wearable, they usually labored on the design, streamlined the case, gave it turned down lugs, and the result’s a handsome however extra essential , a really snug watch case.
This mannequin is available in 4 completely different colours, all with a bead blasted end, silver (proven on this assessment), gold, darkish grey, and all-black DLC. Pricing is similar irrespective of the colour you select. Solely two dial colours can be found right now, black and white, which is a full lume dial.
The dial is giant, uncluttered, and has huge chrome utilized markers which might be generously full of lume, and this can be a no-date dial, and it’s matched to a no-date motion, the Miyota 9039, which implies no phantom date wheel . The fingers are skeletonized, which isn’t my favourite look, although I do just like the lollipop second hand, and total, it’s a clear and easy dial, but nonetheless engaging.
The bezel is clearly impressed by Panerai, however once more, not a replica, however it undoubtedly stands out. The insert is DLC coated metal, and there are 3 stainless-steel inserts to suggest the primary quarter-hour, however then the remainder of the markers on the bezel are empty, or stencil, and considerably look slightly misplaced in my view. In fact, lume junkies would have appreciated to see all of them crammed in with that C3 Superluminova.
The 120-click bezel may be very simple to grip although, as is the screw-down crown, so turning the bezel or setting the time is straightforward correctly. The massive crown is signed, and regardless that there aren’t any crown guards, I have not discovered myself knocking the crown into issues, although you do want an ideal match on the wrist so the crown does not dig into the again of your hand .
The case again is slightly distinctive, or possibly I ought to say fascinating, however no matter you wish to name it, the Nautage Diver does have an exhibition window to see the motion, however it’s a very small window, and surrounding it are giant circles , or as I name them, portholes, that match the design on the bezel and dial of this watch. I at all times admire when manufacturers make a really cohesive design, and I believe Nautage did simply that.
In case you are somebody that loves lume, you’ll love the Nautage Diver, because it has some extraordinarily brilliant and long-lasting C3 Superluminova utilized to the indices, fingers, and bezel pip. No, the bezel just isn’t absolutely lumed, but when it’s essential to inform the time at midnight, you should have no worries with this watch in any respect. Oh, and one thing I didn’t discover till I used to be nearly to start out writing and recording for this assessment, is the field is lumed as effectively. Sure, the field. Undecided why, however it makes for a enjoyable pic if nothing else.
So it appears like there aren’t any downsides to the Nautage Diver, proper? Effectively, not so quick. Bear in mind these rubber straps I used to be speaking about? Effectively, first off, they’re beautiful rubber straps. The semi-hooded lug design and the strap that flares out below the lugs create an awesome search for this watch and the strap itself with the ribbed strains and matching end buckles seems to be incredible. Sadly, they’re NOT simple to put in. It’s a very tight match and I’d counsel both some curved spring bars, bending the strap on the prime to make it slightly extra pliable or when you’ve got them, a great pair of spring bar plier instruments to make it simpler to mount the straps. Nauatage is trying into alternative ways for mounting them come the subsequent spherical of watches, however for this present lineup, they don’t seem to be as simple as I had hoped. Do try all of the strap colours they provide HERE.
Talking of straps, how does this watch match my 7 1/2-inch wrist? Effectively, if I get it in the appropriate gap, which for {the summertime} is slightly tight, not unhealthy. That might be the fifth gap. If I’m going to 4, it’s a little too unfastened and that’s the place the crown digs into the again of my wrist. That mentioned, we now have all been there and I nonetheless suppose that is fairly snug on the wrist, and I completely love the way it seems to be on the wrist.
However, I do have to say, that this can be a greater watch than the specs would counsel. I would not have a small wrist, and that is now how a standard 41mm watch would match me. Anticipate a watch that’s extra like 43mm, and wears as such.
I’ve to say, I used to be very excited when this watch arrived, as I knew I appreciated the designs and wished to assessment it the primary time I noticed it. I even had them ship a brick purple strap together with it, which is clearly not pictured right here. Mainly, I may by no means get the strap on the watch, although that was a special colour mannequin, to start with, and if you’re unsure what I’m speaking about, I’ll simply direct you to the video the place I clarify all of it, however mainly, there have been some hiccups with the watches that have been initially despatched for me to assessment. In some unspecified time in the future, I’ll most likely try to mount a special colour strap once more, however I do want that Nautage had discovered the strap mounting problem beforehand, as altering as much as all of the completely different straps looks like an enormous a part of this watch.
That each one mentioned, if you’d like a special colour, have them put one on earlier than they ship it, and if you’re happy with not switching straps out frequently or that simply not one thing that pursuits you, that is one hell of a handsome and well-built watch, particularly or the worth. All manufacturers endure some rising pains to start with, and I’m positive Nautage will get them ironed out. I believe they’ve a great future, and I am unable to option to see what mannequin 2 will probably be, each time that occurs.
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