If you are looking for a 200-meter rated dive watch that will not break the bank, then look no further than the Diver One Silicon from Scurfa Watches. Over the past month or so, I had many discussions with Paul Scurfield about the idea behind his watches. Paul, a watch enthusiast and professional saturation diver, explained that the primary goal was to make one watch for his workmates while on any diving vessel.
Paul explained that if you went on any diving vessel in the North Sea, about 8 years ago, you would come across all the Comex Rolex’s, milsubs (comex employed all the ex navy divers) double reds, great whites and subs all with extremely high price points, however, none of his colleagues had a solid inexpensive work watch. Wearing a Rolex in their working conditions, due to the cost, just no longer made much sense.
On top of the desire for a more affordable work watch, the ex navy staff also wanted NATO straps and nothing above a 42mm size case; many felt anything larger while working 12 hour shifts would be to cumbersome. The staff wants a comfortable watch with adequate luminescence. Additionally, the watches need quartz movements, due to the accuracy needed with dive times, decompression and pressure test times all of which are major safety related factors. One of the results, as a response to these needs, was the Diver One Silicon model from Scurfa watches. Paul went on to explain that the future goal of Scurfa watches will be to continue making high quality watches using the best materials available with an affordable price tag. Let’s take a look at some of the basic specifications of this ultra affordable dive watch:
Watch case 316 surgical grade stainless steel 42mm Case Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating High precision ronda power tech swiss quartz movement
200m ~ 660ft Comfortable silicon strap Swiss made super luminous on dial, hands and pearl Price $210USD
First let’s take a look at the extremely cool packaging. The watchcase is a German manufactured twist box. The concept was a result of the packaging used to ship spare parts to the divers working offshore. The box is super lightweight, strong and very unique as far as packaging is concerned. The foam interior and the epoxy resin sticker is applied my Paul himself. The packaging will protect the watch extremely well during shipping. I really like the packaging overall, as it is quite protective and very different from other forms of packaging I have seen.
ShaksWatches
Never heard of this watch – curious to know how flexible the rubber band is?
Thanks for the review!
Robert Bishop
I really like the look of this watch. The company seems to have got it just right, first time. The proportions are really good, it almost looks high end from some angles and as for a sapphire crystal at this price point, it’s very impressive! On the website, it shows Paul diving at over 80 metres down. The videos aren’t the most professional, but it’s good to see that these timepieces can hack it in the real dive world. I just need to convince my wife that its a great idea to buy her husband a 200m diver watch for his birthday, two years on the trot! To make this a perfect watch, it would be great if they could make it solar powered.
Robert Bishop
Replying to my own comments, this is based on a Citizen divers, so in theory at least, there is a solar version…..Eco drive. However, the Citizen is hard to get much cheaper and this one is now rated at 300 metre water resistant, has a much better band, sapphire window with anti reflecting coating, far better hands and a classier look overall….and I’m getting one for my birthday, woohoo!
Peter Cranshaw
Got each watch that has been produced by Paul and delighted to have just received my new Bell Diver Automatic. All Scurfa Watches are excellent quality and outstanding value but the new Bell Diver Automatic has raised the bar. It is just brilliant !!!
Don Evans
That’s good to hear! I do not think we will be reviewing the new Bell Diver, though we would like to, but it doesn’t look like that will happen this time around. Post your Bell Diver on Instagram and tag us , or on our Watchreport Facebook page!
Thanks.
Lauren
I bought a Diver One based on this review, the strap broke within weeks, and at 11.15 months, the bezel fell off. Support is really tough to get, I was told that Paul was out of the country for 2 weeks and he was the only one who could apparently help. They eventually shipped me a replacement bezel. I had a jeweler apply it as they instructed and it broke the bezel and the insert. Customer support told me its out of warranty because the warranty doesn’t cover wear and tear (the bezel FELL off in 6 feet of water). When I pointed out that the bezel falling off should not count as wear and tear, they then told me it is out of warranty because they start the warranty period when the watch is purchased, not when it is received, or even shipped. Supremely disappointed.
Richard
I’ve got the Diver One NATO and my Bell Diver 1 has just arrived. Both fantastic watches Paul’s pulled off a triumph I especially like the 42 mm size of the Diver One makes it ideal for not snagging.
A trade off with Scurfa is that’s its just Paul and Alison and you have to be a bit patient with any issues. If you want customer service which jumps go and buy a Seiko or a Chris Wars at twice the price! At this price you can’t really spit your pacifier (dummy) if Paul’s at work, he is a full time saturation Diver on 2 week on 2 week off shift!