Today’s a good day for fans of affordable dive watches as we’re happy to bring you two models from two brands, each in three colors for a total of six, awesome, fun 40mm divers, all under $500. First up will be the Raven Solitude, a rugged tool diver that will satisfy your itch for something overbuilt. Second is the Spinnaker Cahill Mid-Size, a cool, stylish design that plays with vintage details.
Raven Solitude
If you’ve ever handled a Raven then you’ll have an expectation in mind for build quality, yet despite being one of the most affordable watches they’ve released, the Solitude will meet if not exceed them. A slightly different direction for the brand, the Solitude uses a case that was inspired by vintage Seikos, bringing more dynamic and sculptural forms into their vocabulary. At 40mm wide, it’s a healthy medium-sized diver, but thanks to sweeping undercuts, and reduced bezel and dial opening diameters, it wears smaller, and more comfortably, all while maintaining Raven’s near-signature 300m of water resistance.
What really stands out about the case is the finishing. Broad, polished bevels run along the case sides, cutting along brushed surfaces with razor sharp edges, accenting its dramatic lines. This is especially noticeable on the right side, as the bevel extends to include the crown guards. A stout bezel with a reassuring click sits tall atop the case, with either a matte black insert with standard dive markings, or a reverse “Pepsi” insert with count-down markings. The dial is then pure Raven, using an array of bold applied markers that draw upon iconic watches, while being their own, modern expressions.
Powered by the Seiko NH35A automatic movement and featuring bracelets with dive extensions, the Raven Solitude is available now in black dial/black bezel, gray dial/black bezel, and black dial/Pepsi bezel for $480.
Spinnaker Cahill Mid-Size
Spinnaker has been on a roll with creating divers that while inspired by vintage icons, don’t take themselves too seriously, thus managing to be fun and unpretentious. The Cahill Mid-size is a perfect example of this. With a 40mm case that features a domed glass bezel, for that bakelite/acrylic look, a “maxi-dial” with truly massive markers, and a Mercedes hand for obvious reasons, you’d think it was going for hardcore vintage pastiche.
Yet, with a play of colors, types and textures, the result is enthusiastic and style-forward. For the three models available, two are similar, and one is quite different. Starting with the former, there are black and blue models with brushed steel cases and bracelets. Both have heavily textured dials with oversized applied markers with generous lume fill. The black version is accented by a bright red seconds hand, while the blue features orange.
The other model is a sleek black and gold, with a fully PVD case and bracelet. The dial is black with gold applied markers and hands, and in a fun and slightly eccentric twist, the edge of the bezel is in polished gold. This one packs a lot of attitude in a small package.
The Spinnaker Cahill Mids feature the Miyota 8215 automatic movement and come in at $350 for the two steel models and $400 for the PVD. Grab one here today
