NOTE: This is not meant to be a typical watch review. Instead, I'm attempting to highlight the items that led me to purchase (actually request - Christmas gift) the Pro Diver and reflect on them specifically. While some of it will be a review, I'm forgoing typical formats and some details. I hope that those who may be on the fence about purchasing this watch or not will find it useful. For those who already have a strong opinion, I'm not trying to change it. The specific model I'm reviewing is the blue faced 90940B.
- Movement. The primary reason I requested this watch is the automatic movement. This is my first fully automatic watch. I've worn it at least every other day, which has kept it running. I have noticed that especially if I skip a full day wearing it, I need to re-set the time. It is not stored in a watch winder. While this is slightly annoying, coming from owning mostly quartz watches, it is not a huge issue. I have enjoyed at times just watching the second hand "sweep", though it does seem a bit more jerky than I envisioned. My daughter noted that the second hand moves very fast, for example. She also referred to the hour hand as looking like a steering wheel. A horologist, she is not.
- Caseback. Being my first automatic watch, I felt pretty strongly that I needed it to have a display caseback. I even avoided purchasing any natos for this watch because I didn't want to hide the movement. As it turns out, I've RARELY even looked at it. Yes, there's a bright yellow rotor under there. But other than that, it's pretty plain and not very interesting. I'm not sure if it actually raises the watch higher than a standard caseback would have, but if it does I would say it's NOT worth it. If you're deciding between 2 watches, and were leaning this way because of the display caseback, I may advise you to not use it as a deciding factor. It functions fine, but is not as impressive as I thought it would be.
- Size. I don't have large wrists at all. I compared the 40mm crown, and found it the same size as a couple other watches I have that I felt wore well. I also own a pair of 44mm watches, which I would consider max size for my wrist. However, I feel the Pro Diver wears more like the 44mm I own than the 40mm. I'm not sure if it's the lug length, or the height, but it feels larger. It's not uncomfortable by any means (size wise...more later), just an observation.
- "Diver" Styling. I never really consider myself a fan of dive watches....until I bought a Duro on a whim. I actually really like them. I realize this watch is debated heavily regarding it's very close likeness to another much costlier, famous watch. I can honestly tell you that I would not have looked at this watch and said "Oh, it looks like a...". It's a blue faced dive watch. I like it. Moving on.
- Face. Another reason for purchasing this watch is the face. I had another blue watch, but it died. I was somewhat concerned based on internet pictures. Some seem to make the indices/hands very yellow-ish. In typical light, I do not notice this on the wrist. Internet pictures also indicate a very "navy" face. There's actually a pretty nice sunburst to the blue, at times giving it an almost purple look as well. I'm not great with words, but again I like it. The face is highly functional as a dive watch should be.
- The cyclops is functional as well. It may be slightly off angle, but even inspecting it closely I can't say for certain. It magnifies the date well.
- Regarding the text at the 6:00 position, it's very small. I could've forgone the "Professional" line to make the rest slightly larger.
- Finally, a note on the lume. It looks nice when charged up with my flashlight. I've not timed how long it lasts. I imagine not long. However, I will say it is the ONLY watch I own that seems to charge up it's lume fairly well even inside. So, there's that.
- Bezel. The color on the bezel, especially compared to the face, is what I call "Crayola 8-pack blue". It's certainly brighter than the face. I was curious if this would bug me, but it does not. The bezel feels fine when I move it, and seems very secure once it's positioned where you want it. I will say that it does not have as much grip as the Duro, but it is very usable on wrist.
- Bracelet. I'll be ending here. I've yet to own a watch with a bracelet I really like. After spending a month with the Pro Diver...that's still true. I am hairier than average, and it's certainly snagged a few here and there. My main dislike of bracelets is the fact that as my wrist swells throughout the day, I cannot adjust the band accordingly. So my watch either feels too loose at times, or too tight at times. This likely doesn't help with the hair pulling potential. I did size the bracelet without major issue (considering I don't own actual tools). I'm also not a big fan of the friction lock. It's functioning fine, and currently has what I would consider an appropriate amount of grip. I just imagine that it will certainly become looser with time. The bracelet is one negative I had to this watch prior to purchasing it...and it's remained a negative. However, it's not really available without a bracelet. Just plan to add the cost of whatever band of choice you have to the potential cost of owning this watch.