This is the first Stowa on the Horological Club! Not only is it made out of titanium, but it’s limited to 200 pieces! The Pro Diver is robust and has the building blocks to a great watch, which is a continuation from the original Sea Time Pro Diver. Stowa has been a popular company to those wanting to stray away from more “mainstream” brands while keeping a high level of quality and great customer service. The Pro Diver is no different and provides a rugged option for those looking for something unique that has a nod to the past in terms of design and history.
The valve on the case side and the unique lug design
The Pro Diver is 42mm and the case is made out of titanium and has a matte sheen to the watch. The titanium case houses the ETA 2839-2 movement. For the size, it is quite light, the case back and the bezel are tall and make the watch sit more proud on the wrist. The watch boasts a 1000 meter depth rating. If you look on the side of the case, the watch has a helium escape valve to help reach that level of depth. Along with the valve is the drilled lugs but, rather annoyingly, the spring bars have screws on either side. Which means you have to unscrew 4 of them to get the band off completely which seems excessive. The screw down crown has a laser etched Stowa logo and is protected by fairly thick guards. The watch comes with a rubber strap that features Stowa written on the clasp. The strap is robust and has a texture underneath to keep it from slipping on the skin. The clasp has a very satisfying click and feels very sturdy.
The grippy rubber strap
The dial features a very dark navy blue color, which in certain light can look black. The sapphire crystal is coated only on the inside with the anti-reflective coating. The dial contains the date at the 6’o clock location with a circular window. There is a unique design to the dial in its layout as it is two circles. The outer most containing the C3 Super Luminova, which glows extremely well, and the inner most circle that contains only a cross hair style design. The hands are also painted with the Super Luminova and makes them very quick to read the time since they are so profound. A small gripe with the hour hand is that it covers the date window as it is too long and blocks about half of the number.
Screw down crown is smooth in action
One of the key components of a diver is the bezel. The Stowa has a black and silver bezel that is unidirectional. Here is where we come with the biggest issue in my eyes, the 12,9, and 3’o clock have triangles as their marker. This makes it hard to check at a glance, while there is a lume marker at the 12’ o clock, it is too small and blends into the silver triangle. Another short coming is the amount of play in the bezel, there is too much movement if you apply light pressure. The slight play does not allow it to move to another position, it just has give, and is suprsing for a watch with so many high end materials.
The Pro Diver 42mm case
The Stowa Pro Diver exceeds in materials and movement and at $1200, it is a very compelling option. But it no less has its short comings with the bezel and a slight layout mishap with the date window it does have its flaws. Overall, for those looking for a diver that can reach that level of depth and have a titanium case, and extremely bright lume, this is a fantastic time piece from Stowa.