When I started my old page called “Beaters, Divers and Military” it was to highlight affordable models of these categories. And I meant affordable, which of course is a speculative term and means different values to different folks. But my rough guide was first for a decently made watch, which was available at a sensible everyday price. Now 10 years on from the first time I Posted the article (2014) my rough guide was intended to feature models costing no more than the mid hundreds at most, hopefully less.
For this Post, I decided to look at Diver models, as I have always reckoned this watch category have always made excellent “Daily Beaters”.
The First model I checked out is – the Cestrian CD911B0771 V2 Auto
– described as one of their Dive Series – this is the V2 Auto.
Cestrian I understand is a UK established Microbrand who offer their own branded models.
As with a many MB’s whilst their models are designed and specified in the UK, the case body is actually produced in China (as so many are) and the dial is populated to suit and then paired in this instance with the excellent Japanese Seiko NH35 Automatic movement.
The NH35 is known as reliable and durable and based on Seiko’s great 7S26 auto. It has a bi-directional rotor and is wound by movement or manually. It also is a hacking movement, so accurate setting is easy and it has a quick set date.
Power Reserve is around 41 hours and it has a dependable accuracy of around -20+40 seconds per day. It has 24 jewels and durability is enhanced by the Seiko Diashock anti-shock set up. This is an excellent, reliable work-horse movement and a good choice.
The watch has a very solid 316 stainless steel case at 42mm diameter and 13.8mm depth and features a 120-click high end unidirectional ceramic black bezel with Luminous datum marker. Note too that the luminous material applied is grade C3 Super-LumiNova, which is as good as it gets. This is applied to the nice super broad hour & minute hands, markers and the seconds hand tip. The dial has a clear Date window @3 and the solid well knurled crown is centred on the right of the case and well shrouded.
The crystal is made of scratch resistant Sapphire with the addition of an anti-reflective coating.
Already it seems that there are some good quality points here that are relatively rare on a watch of this price point. A further and real bonus is that the watch is Water Resistant to 300m, which somewhat more than expected at this price point.
On the dial face the luminous markers are applied, not painted and also raised (with metal edging) so have a perceived depth to them allowing better clarity. The dial itself (on this model) is matte black and there is a choice of bracelet or strap. Models come either with a bracelet version in a 5 link brushed Stainless steel with signature fold-over clasp, though my preference is for the 22mm wide silicon rubber strap with stainless pin/buckle option.
As expected with a 300m Water Resistant case, it has a solid screw down crown. I also note in addition to the luminous hands & numerals, the luminous coating is also applied to the Datum @12 on the ceramic bezel in true Diver fashion.
So, overall a solid, well balanced and rather well featured diver style watch. It looks pretty good with what appears decent quality throughout –
AND at a price of £160 discounted currently to around £130. It comes in various colourways (with my preference shown) dial background and bezel to suit all tastes. It also has a 2 year Warranty – all communication is local UK via Cestrian.
Value? – On the face of it, seems a viable alternative to mainstream Seiko for a third of the price, without sacrificing quality.
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The 2nd Model is the Deepwater Reef 200 GMT (TW2W75100) – from mainstream Brand Timex.
Once again a great looking model similarly specified to the Cestrian, as I tried to match the price as best I could. This model is powered by a Timex Quartz GMT analogue movement. It features a matte dial with Super-LumiNova coated Hour and Minute hands and a blue centre seconds hand with luminous tip PLUS a fourth 24hr GMT red pointer luminous ARROW hand to indicate a second time zone of your choice (24hrs = one dial revolution).
The dial also has luminous markers plus 24 hour index with 12hr colour index. There is also a large unidirectional 60 minute outer bezel, fully marked plus a luminous Datum Point @12. A magnified Date window features @3 and the dial Crystal if non-scratch Sapphire with Anti-reflect coating. So clarity should not be a problem.
The solid stainless Steel case is 41mm diameter and 13mm depth and has a Screw Down Crown, fully case shrouded and well knurled for ease of use. This model comes with a blue coloured 22mm wide synthetic Rubber strap with pin buckle.
The Water Resistance is 200m and this model is priced at around £215 or possibly discounted 15% (Timex) in the UK.
So, two really decent looking Diver models, similarly specified and priced and depending on your specific tastes, little to choose between them.
To summarize –
Water Resistance – Cestrian is 300m – Timex is 200m
Screw down crown – both
Super-LumiNova – both
Date window – Timex is magnified
Stainless Steel case – both
Uni-directional bezel – both
GMT – Timex – useful perhaps but adds dial clutter perhaps (the Cestrian is very clear to read)
Power – choices – Cestrian is Seiko mechanical Automatic – Timex is Quartz analogue.
So, for a first look this year I’ve managed to pick two similar specified models at remarkably similar prices. And from completely different backgrounds. The Timex mainstream Brand versus the Private Cestrian Brand – and to choose between them is quite a challenge.
But I’m not about to pick one – I leave that to anybody interested in a new affordable Diver.
Personally I like the clear uncluttered Cestrian dial and don’t really need the Timex GMT feature. I like the fact it’s also Automatic, so no battery worries. It IS somewhat heavier and thicker, but both are very good quality cases. Both have a Date which I personally consider essential. I do like the magnified date but never having used one, I’m used to not having that and the Cestrian Date is not small and it’s clear to read. Both have top notch luminous features.
I’m not fussed whether Quartz or Mechanical Auto as one of my all time favourite Diver models (my Apeks Diver) is Quartz and I’ve had it for years without any issues.
The Cestrian really scores with that Water Resistance – 300m, which is rare at this price point. But that said, 200m is perfectly fine for the recreational diver.
However the Cestrian price makes it very, very affordable for the specification offered.
But, that said, both are really good and at either price are solid performers at very affordable models – so choices, choices!
Note – I’m due to check out some more Diver offerings over the next few weeks and I’ll Post the results as I get them.
Watch space 