Alkin Model Three Diver
In a world where every brand seems to be following the latest trend or adding gimmicky features, a British-based microbrand has released a new model that is more old school and has everything you want and nothing you don’t. The Alkin Model Three Diver comes in three colorways, black, blue, or hunter green, and while it may have a funky familiar dial, everything else is pretty straightforward. It is a no-date dial using a Miyota 9039 movement, a 40.5mm case that is all satin-brushed everywhere you look, a solid 120-click unidirectional bezel, a standard bracelet and clasp, and a plain, flat case back. There are no hard coatings here, no lume on the clasp or crown, and it’s not flashy at all either. And that is exactly why I like it.
Specifications:
- 40.5mm Stainless Steel Case
- 48.5mm Lug to Lug
- 12.5mm Thick
- 20mm Lug Width
- 168.2 Grams
- Sapphire Crystal
- Ceramic Bezel Insert
- Miyota 9039 Movement
- 200m Water Resistant
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
Price $539
https://alkinwatches.com/collections/model-3-diver
Now I guess some would call a watch such as this boring, or too old school. I don’t find it boring, but I do think it is old school, as this does remind me of microbrand dive watches from years ago, though this is 40.5mm, and years ago it would have been bigger, but that is ok. I’ve been trying to think of what this Alkin Model Three Diver reminds me of, and then it hit me. Obris Morgan. No, it’s not an homage to one but it reminds me of that brand and their style, a functional and capable piece with a little bit of flair. I think the overall lines and silhouette are similar to many brands or models, but that is the one that hit me. I was a big fan of Obris Morgan and liked their designs, and so far with Alkin and the Model Two and Model Three, I am digging their style.
So yes, I did review Model Two a few years ago, and it has been 4 years since that review, and if I am being honest, I thought maybe Allkin was done as that is quite a long time between releasing a new model, even with all that has gone on that past few years. “But the old saying is true, good things come to those who wait”, and the Alkin Model Three Diver is a good thing. This all-stainless steel brushed case is simple and clean, the coin edge bezel proudly sticks off the case as does the screw-down crown, which not only adds to the style of this piece but adds to the functionality as both are very easy to grip and turn and both excellent feeling.
Bezels can be very subjective, some like a hydraulic smooth turn, and some like it to be extra clicky, I would say this is in the middle. It’s more of a precise click, not too loud, and stays where you put it. The ceramic bezel insert is not exactly my favorite though. It has a brushed look, and while I appreciate it is not a gloss finish, I also yearn for a bigger triangle.
The Model Three is available in two different versions, the Alkin Model Three Diver and a dual-time version. The case, bezel, crown, and bracelet along with movement stay the same, but you get a completely different dial and hands as well as a stainless 12-hour bezel insert. I am a sucker for a good, clean dive watch and this Alkin fits the bill but I may have been a little too harsh on the 12-hour version in the video. I referred to it as generic or too much like a Halios. I mean here I am saying it reminds me of an Obris Morgan, so not sure why that would be a bad thing anyway. The dials are more vibrant on the dual time and the hands and markers are more understated, and that is of course the appeal, and as always, it is nice to have choices.
Alkin Model Three Dual Time in Powder Blue
It’s hard to tell the finish on the Dual Time dial but on the Diver, it is a painted textured finish, and on this black dial, it looks like a gravel road. We have seen this finish with other watches and I think it works here but a flat matte or sunray dial would have been nice too, but the bigger difference is this is a sandwich dial. The dual time has all applied indices, but here on the Alkin Model Three Diver, it is one nice big sandwich.
And yes those large funky triangles are all sandwich indices as well, and this gives some added depth to the dial. This look of the triangles and numbers is similar to Eberhard and Zodiac, among others, and I love how Alkin took that and gave their touch to it with the sandwiched dial. The hands used here are the same that were on the Model Two, and they fit, especially with that large arrow minute hand. At times though, the sapphire crystal seems to mute the dial, I am not sure if this is because of the crystal itself or the AR coating used.
The rest of the watch is pretty subdued compared to the dial and I love it. A vertical brushed case, drilled lugs for easy bracelet removal and nothing on this case feels rough or sharp. It may have all hard lines and angles here, but nothing is hard to the touch, including underneath the lugs. The case back is almost recessed as well, which allows this 200m diver to stay under 13mm thick and also aids in how it wears on the wrist.
The oyster link bracelet is pretty similar to that of the model two, if not the same bracelet, and again, nothing wrong with that. It fits this case nicely, the end links are snug to the case and match the overall flow and sizing is easy via one-piece screws. The clasp is a standard, but very nice example of a flip lock, and push-button clasp and while there is no quick adjust dive extension (actually there is no extension at all), you do have 6 micro adjustment holes in the clasp to help get that perfect fit.
And speaking of fit, the Alkin Model Three Diver does wear well and looks good on my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist, 3 links removed with the pin in clasp moved into the second spot gives me the perfect fit. That will give me just enough room during the warmer months to loosen up the bracelet and though I would prefer this watch a little more at 42mm, I think the size works well here. One thing of note though, the bracelet does have male end links, so that 48.5mm lug to lug is now around 50mm, so keep that in mind if you have smaller wrists.
The Model Two had excellent lume so it didn’t surprise me that the Model Three looks fantastic in the dark. BGW9 is used here on the black and blue dials but if you opt for the green dial, you will get X1 C3 SuperlumiNova, which I am sure will be as vibrant and bright as this one is below.
In 2024, I find the price of the Alkin Model Three Diver to be very competitive. No, $539 is not exactly inexpensive and I know there are a lot of brands out there these days offering similar for less, but I don’t think you can find this exact piece for less. If you look at Raven, Traska, and even Halios, all will be more comparable models. I love this rugged look of the Diver and for those who prefer something a little more office-ready, the Dual Time would fit the bill.
That’s another great thing about what Alkin has done, taking the same case but making two different versions with different dials and bezels, was a smart move. Both look different enough to warrant one having both in their collection and these are just solid, well-put-together pieces. I look forward to what Alkin will produce next, I just hope it doesn’t take another 4 years…
