Detomaso Matera

Detomaso Matera

The Matera has a 120 click unidirectional rotating bezel that is extremely easy to grasp, due to the raised riders at the numbers on the bezel. The bezel is buttery smooth with precise clicks; however, there is a slight amount of play in both directions. If you are interested in the amount of bezel play, definitely check out the video at the end of the review. The bezel has a 20-minute countdown, however, none of the markers or the pip are lumed so the bezel is not as functional as it could be obviously. The lack of lume at the pip throws the Matera more toward the fashion dive watch arena. The watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal that appears to have an interior Anti-Reflective (AR) coating. I had to fight a bit of glare with the video and photos, so a higher quality AR coating would be a plus. The crystal diameter measures approximately 34mm, providing a large viewing of the colorful dial.

The black and yellow dial is extremely clean and uncluttered with the typical branding for this style of watch noting the brand, model and water resistance above and below center dial. The dial markers and handset make the dial quite colorful. The yellow dial markers are lumed and glow well after an initial charge. Probably the best overall feature of the Matera is that the model has T-25 tritium tubes installed around the dial at the hour markers and on the hour and minutes hands for added lume. I will discuss the tubes and some of the issue with them later in the review. The model comes with a white date window positioned at the 3 o’clock position, which is fairly legible which is extremely important for those visually impaired like myself. As I have mentioned in previous reviews, I am starting to enjoy no date dive watch models more and more, as size of the window seems to always be problematic in many instances at least for me personally. The handset corresponds perfectly with the yellow markers surrounding the dial. As with the other dive watch models I have seen from Detomaso, I really like the red second hand as it provides great color contrast and some flair to the overall look of the Matera.

Detomaso Matera

The case back is screwed down and is etched with the typical company information and specifications at the center and around the perimeter of the case back. Beneath the case back beats a tried and true Miyota 8215 automatic movement. The movement has been highly accurate, well within specifications, since delivery. As I have mentioned many times before the only legitimate downside to the 8215, other than accuracy, is that many consider the sweep second hand rotation as too choppy. Newer Miyota movements, such as the 9015 or Swiss Made ETA and Sellita automatic movements produce higher beat rates, resulting in a much smoother sweep.

Detomaso Matera

The bracelet measures 22mm at the lugs with a slight taper to 20mm at the clasp. The links measure approximately 3mm in overall thickness. Each link is attached to the other utilizing friction pins. The bracelet comes with a signed diver’s flip lock clasp but no dive extension. The clasp does have three (3) micro adjustments, which will most certainly aid in getting the desired fit on the wrist. Overall, I consider the bracelet average at best. First, it appears that the bracelet was assembled prior to the PVD/Ion plating being applied, as the application between the links is not near as complete as elsewhere on the case and bracelet. Also, the bracelet has no half links and no dive extension, which are really important features for a dive watch.