To complete the full presentation on the 2023 Traska models, we’re going to take a look at the Seafarer. The latter is the brand’s take on the super-compressor style of dive watch in the sense that it has two crowns and an inner rotating bezel, though it is not endowed with a super-compressor case. Doing so would have multiplied the Seafarer’s price tag tenfold, which would have both been silly and a waste of your money. Instead, one can acquire this sexy diver for $635, and in good Traska fashion, your six hundred and thirty five bucks will get you a long, long way. Since we’ve also spoken about the Freediver, a question might arise in your watch enthusiast mind: should I buy two Traska divers? What are the differences between the two models? Well, I’m glad you asked. Yes, you can buy two divers from the same brand since the Seafarer and Freediver are two different beasts. Not only do they look different but they also wear differently—as we will see below.
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The Seafarer is the smaller of the two Traska divers with a diameter of 38.5mm, a lug-to-lug of 46mm, a thickness of 9.5mm and a lug width of 20mm. It is therefore 2mm smaller than the Freediver as well as 2mm shorter and 1mm thinner. Though a couple of millimetres here and there might not sound like much on paper, they make a world of difference on the wrist. Especially if you were born with smaller bony wrists like mine (6.25”/16cm). Getting a watch that comes with the right dimensions is key to many of us and I would say the Seafarer hits a sweet spot in terms of its measurements. Though one could easily come to the following conclusion: a smaller case means less water resistance and one would be right. However the difference between the Freediver and Seafarer is, again, minimal. The former comes with a 200 meter depth rating and the latter 150 meters. Not too shabby if you ask me—and enough for most of your actual adventures.
Unlike the Freediver, the Seafarer only exists in a no-date variant, powered by the Miyota 9039 which beats at 28,800 BPH (4Hz) and comes with 42 hours of power reserve. The 9000 series Miyota movements is known for being thin and robust, two good reasons to put it under the hood of the Seafarer. The four colour variants—Charcoal Black, Stone Grey, Sun-Bleached Orange and Mint Green—come with a matte finish on the dial, 3D printed hour markers that double as lume plots, and a simple yet legible minute track. The rounded triangular hour and minute hands are delineated by polished metal surrounds while the seconds hand has a more traditional design as it comes with a lumed lollipop element. All in all, the Seafarer has a very legible dial which is a key prerequisite for any proper dive watch.
Being a super-compressor style diver, the Seafarer comes with a bi-directional inner-rotating bezel which Traska complemented with 72 clicks to make turning the bezel more interesting and tactile. It is the crown at the 2 o’clock that activates the bezel, and similarly to the crown found at the 4 (the one that winds the movement and sets the time) it screws down. The fact that the second crown can be screwed down means there is no risk of turning the bezel while using the watch which could result in the unfortunate miscalculation of your dive time or how long you’ve been waiting for a meeting to end (two scenarios with different endings yet both potentially very frustrating).
SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 38.5mm Diameter 46mm Lug to Lug 9.5mm Thick (10.5mm /w Dome) 20mm Lug Width Interior Rotating Bezel Screwed Crowns & Case back 150m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire /w AR 3D Printed Markers Dauphine Hands BGW9 Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Miyota 9039 28 800bpm 24 Jewels 42-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Oyster-style /w Milled Clasp |
Traska Seafarer
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Of Interest
Although I already mentioned them above, I wanted to get back to the hour markers and the fact that they are 3D printed. Honestly, I don’t know what goes into 3D printing blocks of lume; however, and in my humble experience, I’ve rarely come across this type of marker on a watch that retails for way below $1,000. What’s neat about them is the fact that they don’t protrude too much from the dial in which case they would have looked odd (I saw 3D printed blocks of lume on watches that cost three times more than the Seafarer and look “too much”). Instead the hour markers look painted when looking at the watch straight on, but one can appreciate their three-dimensionality at an angle. And in case one needs to be convinced that they do shine brightly, I would refer you to the lume shot above.
Quibbles
What follows is not a quibble per se but more of a heads up. Earlier I mentioned the fact that the inner rotating bezel has 72 clicks which could appear odd for some of you. Bezels normally come with 60 or 120 clicks so that each click can more or less be aligned with a minute marker and make timing an event something of a precise operation. 72 clicks do achieve this result as well, but in the case of the Seafarer, the clicks do not correspond to minute markers. They were added to give a tactile sensation when one actuates the crown to turn the bezel. This might not be a problem for you but I thought you should be aware of it.
Final Thoughts
Traska’s Seafarer is, therefore, a beast of its own nature. Not only is it smaller and more nimble than its older and bigger brother the Freediver, but it also comes with a couple of quirks that give it a unique character. From the 72-click bezel to the 3D printed blocks of lume, the Seafarer offers a different type of dive watch experience. The icing on the cake is its relatively modest price tag of $635. I dare saying modest because you get all of the following: a premium Miyota movement, a boxed double dome sapphire crystal, lots of BGW9 lume, a scratch-resistant case and bracelet (both are made of hardened steel), a 3-link bracelet complete with screw links, a double-pusher deployant clasp, and perlage finish, as well as a legible dial and fresh, summery colours.
Should you have become smitten with the Seafarer, know that this model, as well as the Summiteer, Commuter, and Freediver are going on sale on Sunday, August 13th, at 11am EST with immediate shipping. I suggest checking out Traska’s website to learn more about the Seafarer and the rest of its catalogue.
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Vincent Deschamps is a museum professional, originally from France, with more than 10 years experience as a researcher, producing visitor experiences for national and international organizations. He is also the founder of mainspring.watch. You can follow Vincent on Instagram.
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