Having spent over a decade writing about and wearing timepieces—from budget models to high-end Swiss brands—I recently had the chance to dive into five watches from Watchdives. What struck me most was how this brand manages to deliver well-designed, solid watches with intriguing specs without breaking the bank. In this article I share my personal impressions: what stood out, what surprised me, and what you should know before buying. Whether you’re a watch-enthusiast looking for value or a first-time buyer curious about something stylish yet affordable, you’ll find useful take-aways here.
Here are the five models I picked, and what it felt like living with them.
Watchdives WD7922 37 mm VH31
I’ll start with a compact piece: the WD7922 in 37 mm diameter, powered by the VH31 quartz sweep-second movement. I found this one appealing for a few reasons:
- Fit & feel: The 37 mm size is something I’d reach for when I want something less bulky, less “tool-watch heavy”, but still with character. It slides nicely under a shirt cuff and is comfortable for daily wear.
- Movement/accuracy: Although quartz, the VH31 “sweep” second hand gives it a more mechanical feel (less “tick-tick” and more “flow”).
- Aesthetic & build: From the catalog I noticed a decent finish for the price range; sapphire crystal (or at least a “top hat” style crystal) and a well-finished case. The 20 mm lug width works well with aftermarket straps, giving flexibility for personalization.
- My take: For someone who wants a stylish, everyday watch that doesn’t scream “diver-tool”, this feels like a smart choice. The smaller diameter is a bonus.
Watchdives WD1863 39 mm VK63 Chronograph
Next up is a chronograph version: WD1863, 39 mm case with a Japanese VK63 movement. I spent a few days wearing this and the chronograph functionality gives a different flavor:
- Design & “tool” feel: The chrono pushers and sub-dials immediately give it a sportier, more mechanical-watch vibe. The listing covers a variety of dial/bezel versions (black/white, “panda”, racing orange, etc).
- Build & specs: The case is 316L stainless steel, sapphire crystal (bubble style), screw-down crown, water resistance 10 bar (~100 m) per listing.
- Wearing impressions: On my wrist I found the 39 mm diameter and ~46 mm lug-to-lug give a nicely balanced presence. Not massive, but still substantial. The bracelet (or strap) choice matters for comfort—but overall it felt solid for the price.
- What to note: As a chronograph, it’s slightly thicker (~12.9 mm including crystal) so on smaller wrists you’ll feel it more. Also, the water resistance while decent, is not “deep diver” level—so treat accordingly.
- My verdict: If you like the look of a chronograph but want to keep budget reasonable, this is a strong contender.
Watchdives WD007 PT5000 42 mm Titanium NTTD Dive Watch
This is where the product line steps up in materials and intent: the WD007 with a PT5000 automatic movement, grade-2 titanium case, helium escape valve, etc.
- Materials & movement: Titanium case (lighter weight), coatings to resist fingerprints & scratches, domed sapphire with AR coating, and Swiss Super-LumiNova for better visibility. These are features you often see in higher-priced watches.
- Wearability: At 42 mm and ~48.9 mm lug-to-lug, this watch sits more traditionally “dive tool watch” size. But thanks to titanium construction, the weight is lighter than equivalent steel cases. I noticed that immediately: fewer “drag” moments on the wrist, more comfortable for extended wear.
- Style & versatility: The range of dial colours (black, white, blue) and strap/bracelet choices give good flexibility: you could wear it for casual diving, desk-duty, or weekend leisure.
- My take: If your budget allows and you want something serious (but not outrageously expensive) this is the piece in the line that delivers major bang for buck. The automatic movement and premium materials elevate it beyond “entry” status.
Watchdives WD16570 NH34 GMT Watch V1
Turning to a travel/ GMT style: the WD16570, which uses the NH34 movement (Japanese automatic), and features a GMT complication.
- Use-case & appeal: I tried this on a short trip and found the GMT hand very handy—even if you don’t travel often, it gives “dual-time” capability which is great for tracking another timezone, or simply as a styling/complication feature.
- Movement & finishing: The NH34 is a known reliable movement; the case finishing was good in my hands-on time (brushed and polished surfaces, good fit of bezel and crown).
- Size & presence: The diameter is comfortable (39 mm in this case) so it works even if you have a smaller wrist. The GMT bezel adds visual interest and gives a more “complicated watch” feel.
- My verdict: For anyone who likes the idea of a “world-time” look but doesn’t want to spend a fortune, this model hits a sweet spot.
Watchdives WD6105 Captain Willard 6105 Dive Watch
Finally, a fun one: WD6105, which pays homage to the classic “Captain Willard” style dive watch (a reference many watch fans appreciate).
- Heritage & style: When I first put this on, I loved the vintage-feel case silhouette and the proportions echoing the iconic dive designs of the past. It gives you “fan-favorite aesthetic” without paying luxury-brand prices.
- Practical wear: The case size (~38–40 mm depending version) means it’s wearable for many. The bezel, case finishing, and strap (or bracelet) contributed to a comfortable and fun experience.
- What to keep in mind: Because it’s homage style, don’t expect the “luxury brand cachet” or same after-sales as big-name brands—but for what you get, it’s impressive.
- My take: This is a piece I’d recommend for style-focused collectors or folks who want a “cool” diver-watch aesthetic without deep wallet commitment.
Final Thoughts & Summary
After wearing these five watches from Watchdives across different occasions—office day, weekend outing, short travel—I can say the following, based on my 10 years of product-review experience:
- Value for money: What impressed me most is how many features you get for the price: sapphire crystals, automatic movements (in some models), titanium options, respectable build quality. Many watches at this price skimp on one or more of those.
- Design diversity: Whether you prefer quartz/sweep for budget, chronograph for style, automatic/titanium for premium feel, GMT for travel, or vintage-inspired diver for aesthetic—there’s something.
- Wearability: While specs matter, comfort and real-world wear matter more. The smaller sizes (37-39 mm) are thoughtful; even the more tool-oriented pieces (42 mm titanium) feel lighter thanks to material.
- Trade-offs / things to check:
- Even though the brand claims “100% genuine watches” and sources from trusted suppliers.
- For dive-style watches, make sure you understand the actual water-resistance rating and how it aligns with your use (pool vs open water vs professional diving). Some models list 100 m which is fine for everyday/shore use, but maybe not for deep diving.
- Service/repair availability: With lesser-known brands you may have fewer authorised service centres; consider this if you buy automatic movement watches.
- After-sales & warranty: The site mentions warranty and international shipping support. Good to keep receipt and verify terms.
- Recommendation by type of wearer:
- For budget everyday wear with style: Go for the WD7922 (37 mm VH31)
- For sporty, feature-rich chronograph: WD1863
- For premium build and automatic movement: WD007 (titanium)
- For travel/complication interest: WD16570 GMT
- For vintage-inspired diver style: WD6105 Captain Willard homage
In sum, if you’re looking for a watch that punches above its price point in terms of build and design—and you’re savvy enough to inspect specs and condition—Watchdives offers very compelling options. My only caution: treat them as serious, fun watches—but don’t assume they’ll behave exactly like ultra-premium luxury brands in every respect. For many of us, though, the value and style simply won’t be beaten.
Thank you for reading; I hope this review helps you pick wisely and enjoy whichever watch you decide to go for.
