by Brent Robillard
Psychedelic time
When you think of classic dive watches, you probably picture something rugged, monochrome, and ready for serious underwater business. But what if your dive watch decided to take a detour through the psychedelic late ‘60s, pick up some colour, and still show up with all the hardcore specs you’d expect? That’s exactly what Heron Watches has done with the Marinor Rainbow—a vintage-inspired diver that blends serious functionality with a splash of retro cool.
It’s as if Jacques Cousteau and Jimi Hendrix collaborated on a timepiece. And honestly? It works.
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Key features of the Heron Marinor Rainbow
Design and Aesthetics: A Rainbow With a Purpose
The Marinor Rainbow takes inspiration from the so-called “Rainbow Divers” of the late ‘60s (think Buler, MIDO, Vulcain), watches that used multi-colored decompression scales to help divers keep track of their ascent stops. Sure, to the uninitiated, it might just look like a watch that partied a little too hard at Woodstock, but the colours actually serve a purpose: different wavelengths of light fade at different depths, making the colors a functional reference tool for divers.
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So, unlike some “rainbow” watches that are just throwing gems everywhere for the flex, this one actually has a reason to exist beyond looking good (although, let’s be real—it does look really good).
The two-layer sandwich dial adds depth (literally and figuratively), while the domed sapphire crystal and bezel insert keep things feeling vintage without sacrificing durability. And with a 300-meter water resistance, this isn’t just a watch for posing by the pool—this thing is ready to go diving for real.
The Movement: Smooth & Reliable
Inside, Heron went with the Miyota 9039 automatic movement, a solid 28,800 BPH, 24-jewel workhorse that’ll keep things running smoothly for 42 hours on a full wind. It’s not Swiss, but let’s be real—Miyota’s high-end calibers are rock solid, and this one helps keep the price reasonable while delivering top-tier performance.
Also, it’s no-date, which is a big win for symmetry lovers and those who don’t want to deal with setting the date if they rotate their watches. One less thing to worry about!
The Bezel & Bracelet: Function Meets Comfort
The 120-click countdown bezel (instead of the usual elapsed-time bezel) is an interesting choice—it’s actually super useful for timing things beyond just diving. Cooking pasta? Timing a meeting? Making sure you don’t spend too long justifying another watch purchase to your significant other? It’s got you covered.
The hardened stainless steel case and bracelet (scoring 1200 HV on the Vickers hardness scale) means you won’t have to baby this thing. Plus, with screw-down links, a micro-adjustment system, and quick-release spring bars, swapping between the bracelet and a strap is about as easy as convincing yourself you need another dive watch.
Lume & Legibility: A Light Show Underwater
Heron clearly didn’t skimp on lume here, blending old-radium and BGW9 Super-LumiNova for maximum legibility. It’s the kind of glow that makes you want to turn off the lights just to admire it—whether you’re diving at night or just showing off at a dimly lit bar.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Hardened Stainless Steel 39mm Diameter 47mm Lug to Lug 12.9mm Thick /w Glass 20mm Lug Width Countdown Bezel Screw Down Crown & Case Back 300m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Box Sapphire Crystal Sandwich Dial Broad Arrow Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Miyota 9039 28 800bph 24 Jewels 42-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Bracelet or Rubber Strap |
Heron Marinor Rainbow
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Final Thoughts
The Heron Marinor Rainbow is what happens when a serious tool watch meets late ‘60s creativity. It’s functional, historically inspired, and unapologetically colorful. Whether you’re actually diving or just appreciating its vintage-cool aesthetics, it’s a fantastic blend of heritage, personality, and rock-solid specs.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just a watch—it’s a time capsule of an era when innovation and bold design went hand in hand. And if you’re looking for a dive watch that breaks away from the usual black-and-steel crowd, this is a strong contender.
Would it look great on your wrist? Absolutely. Would it also make you feel like you should own a vintage dive helmet and some bell-bottoms? Quite possibly.
Either way, Heron nailed it—and I’d say that’s worth celebrating.
Pricing & Availability
The Marinor Rainbow won’t drain your wallet either. When it launches this Wednesday, it will retail for $570USD on the strap and $630USD on the bracelet. Need more details? Check out the website.
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About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.
This Article nails it. It does look like great vintage fun but somehow you just know something else is going on. Great fun and serious time management- with bell bottoms – Yep. Wrist candy.
Glad you like it!