While big names like Doxa, Rolex, Omega and Blancpain have some of the most famous dive watch designs in history, that doesn’t always mean they offer the best value. If you’re looking for an accessible dive watch that still offers professional level water resistance as well as a distinctive design and its own sense of personality, sometimes you’re better off looking in the myriad rock pools that are microbrands and independents. Sometimes you might just uncover a gem like the Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean Mark II Diver’s Watch.
The Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean Mark II Diver’s Watch is a really well-thought-out watch. It has a rugged, almost industrial vibe to it with its asymmetrical case and pronounced crown guards below a wide, uni-directional rotating dive timer bezel. However, while it looks quite imposing, its proportions actually make it one of smaller dive watches I’ve looked at recently. It measures 41mm in diameter and 13.5mm in thickness, much smaller than some of the 43mm x 14-15mm behemoths that have snuck into the industry lately (cough, Tudor, cough).
Another great aspect of the case is that it has a 300m water resistance rating, which is what we typically classify as the minimum requirement to be a ‘professional’ dive watch. Which essentially means it’s capable of reaching depths beyond those that amateur divers are allowed to go. Plus, it gives that extra reassurance to those who spend their lives in and around water even if that’s only near the surface, catching waves instead of taking seabed samples.
Getting into the details of the Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean Mark II Diver’s Watch, I really like the bezel. It has a sort of multi-layered construction that starts with a prominent grip around the edge, making it easy to manipulate underwater. Then there’s a peripheral ring in steel followed by the main scale which is brushed with a dark grey DLC coating for improved scratch resistance.
The 5-minute markers take the shape of rounded circles that help to create that quasi-industrial vibe, reminding me of the exposed screws often seen in sports watches. Plus, the starting indicator is blue to make it stand out. There’s then a second steel ring around the crystal that in turn sits above the watch’s dial.
That dial is super legible with oversize bar indexes coated with lume so that it’s readable in dark conditions, such as below the surface of the ocean. There are two colour options, either classic black or a white-grey fumé gradient over a grainy finish. While black is the more traditional, I actually prefer the gradient because it has a bit more vivacity to it, especially if you don’t intend to use the watch in the water. Paired with the blue tipped seconds hand, it gives the watch quite a polar aesthetic.
Housed inside is the Miyota 9015 movement, which is a staple of many brands at the more accessible price point. With its 42-hour power reserve it’s a perfectly serviceable entry level automatic movement. But as mentioned, one of its biggest draws is that accessibility. The Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean Mark II Diver’s Watch is just £478 and at time of writing it’s for sale at £358. For a 300m dive watch that’s serious bang for your buck.
Price and Specs:
More details at Crafter Blue.
No mention of the lume?
This is an important component of a dive watch in my opinion.
It’s a nice watch but the lug-to-lug (not mentioned here) is too long, hurting wearability. I would argue it probably wears bigger, due to that, than the 43mm Tudor you mention. :)