The Traska Commuter debuted in 2020 in 36mm, and in late 2023, two new sizes were released: the Commuter 38 and 34mm. So it’s been 2 years since the Commuter has come in 38mm, and this latest batch has been upgraded with the latest Traska Clasp, quick-release pins for the end links, and a few more layers of clear AR coating on the box sapphire crystal. There are also a few new colors, one of them this Istrian Green, a gorgeous color inspired by he shallow waters of the Croatian Sea. It’s still offered with either a Miyota 9015 (date) or a Miyota 9039 (no-date), 100m water resistance, and a screw down crown, all for $700.
Specifications
38.5mm Stainless Steel Case
20mm Lug Width
46mm Lug to Lug
10.5mm thick (including crystal
130 grams
Box sapphire crystal
Istrian Green Dial
100m Water Resistant
Screw Down Crown
Oyster Link Bracelet
1200 HV hard coating on case and bracelet
Miyota 9039 Movement
Price $700
https://www.traskawatch.com/products/commuter-38-istrian-green
It’s been quite a few years since watch brands started to produce smaller, or more specifically, under 40mm watches, and I am not sure who has been more vocal about watch sizes, the guys who prefer small watches or those who miss the days of every watch being 46mm or above. I’m in the camp in the middle. I don’t miss the massive watches, or at least what I consider massive, but I generally still prefer a watch that is 40mm, as it seems to be the smallest size I am comfortable with on my wrist. 40mm is my lowest though, as I do prefer 41-42mm as my sweetspot, but that can vary based on design or other dimensions.
So when a watch such as the Traksa Commuter 38 comes in for review, how do I approach it? Well, just like any other watch, really. I mean, I already knew it was 38mm and agreed to have it sent for review, and I always try to keep an open mind, as I have been surprised before with watches under 40mm. I think it’s important to get this out of the way early in this review; I could force myself to daily this piece daily as it is absolutely gorgeous, but I don’t want to. h
That said, this is probably the first 38mm watch I considered to be a daily. I wear every watch I review, no matter what the size, to get a feel for it, of course, and search out any issues. The Traska Commuter is a simple watch, but that’s part of the allure. This watch really did make me want to wear a 38mm.
Ultimately, I concluded that I still, at least for now, can’t wear a 38mm on my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist. But trust me when I tell you, it’s only because of the size, and nothing to do with the watch itself. If it were the same size as the Traska Freediver, I would probably be wearing this Commuter as I type this.
The Traksa Commuter 38 and all of the Commuter watches are simple and clean watches with no external bezel, very similar to a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. It’s pretty much an homage to that Rolex, I mean, it’s kind of hard to say otherwise. Funny enough, though, Rolex does make the OP in 41mm, the max size of the 5 sizes they produce.
The Traska Commuter comes in 3 sizes currently, and I am surprised that a microbrand even does 3 sizes of one model. Traska is a very popular microbrand, but still more limited in production compared to other microbrands and especially compared to Rolex. All sizes use the same style case and bracelet design and the same dial design as well, though the 34mm is only available with the no-date Miyota 9039. All models have different dial color options as well, and this time around with the Commuter 38, two new colors are available, Highland Gray and Istrian Green, in addition to the original Arctic White and Carbon Black models. Each color has its own character and purpose, but I fell in love with the Istrian Green.
Matter of fact, I fell in love with the Istrian Green just looking at the website photos, before it even landed at my door. It’s a gorgeous shade of green, inspired by the shallow waters of the Croatian Sea, so it has a bluish green hue about it, and the dial is matte finished with the slightest of texture in the paint, and there’s not an angle of this watch where this color isn’t striking.
Little pops of color can be found at each 5-second interval with a yellow square, and the rest of the dial is pretty much what you would expect of a Rolex OP homage, with applied rectangular indices and stick hands. Traska could have gone with something different, to move away from the homage category, but then enthusiasts and collectors would have said they went weird with it, and it looks goofy, etc. This layout works, and as such, it’s a simple and classic design, even if not an original one. On top of the dial is a box sapphire with multiple coats of a clear inner AR coating. At times, it’s like the crstyal isn’t even there.
If you own a Traska made in the last 3 years or so, or have seen a review, you are then familiar with the case style and finishing. Every Traksa watch has the same case shape and finish, which is a brushed top and slightly bulbous sides with a mirror-polished finish, and a polished chamfer that runs the transition. This Traksa Commuter is no different, and it also includes drilled lugs and, of course, a screw down crown, a 6.3mm crown, which is nice to see on a 38mm watch, as I can still easily grasp and use it with large hands.
The top of the outer bezel area has a sunburst brush finish, and the strip that run underneath it is all highly polished, which is a nice contrast, and even though theirs more high polish here than I prefer on a watch, I will say it does look beautiful and the hard coating not only resists scratches but it helps to keep the fingerprints off those polished areas as well.
The case back of the Traska Commuter 38 looks to be unchanged from all the other Traska watches I have reviewed, and the bracelet seems to be unchanged as well, though I am told this version just got the quick-release bars in the end links, and it’s been updated to the latest version of their tool-less extension push button clasp. The bracelet is still finely brushed on top with polished sides to match the case, and of course, it’s using one-piece scew bars, and yes, that clasp does have perlage finishing on the inside, and a thumb to the inside of the clasp will give you a few extra mm to help get that perfect fit on hot or cold days.
On the wrist, beyond my wishing it was slightly larger, the Traska Commuter 38 is incredibly comfortable on the wrist. Between the fantastic bracelet, being able to dial in that perfect fit, as well as the machining and finishing, not to mention it’s only 8.75mm in thickness, not including the crystal, it’s a joy to wear. There are absolutely no rough edges on this watch anywhere, and I could wear it for days on end without an issue.
The lume of the Traska Commtuter 38 surprised me as well. Traska has always had average to good lume, and they keep improving with each generation, but this watch glows really well in the dark, and not just for a watch with thin hands and indices. In fact, I find the lume to be better on this model than it was on their Seafarer diver.
About halfway through writing this review, I reached over to my studio table and grabbed with Traska Commuter 38 and put it on again. That’s no lie, I truly did, and the reason was, I was again trying to convince myself that I can wear this watch. And the reality is, I can. Hell, I can wear any watch I want. This Commuter doesn’t come off as dainty on my wrist; it’s just that I prefer something a touch larger. I haven’t gotten there yet, where I think a 38mm watch looks good on me. This is the closest I have come, and who knows, in 5-10 years, I may love a 38 mm-sized watch. 20 years ago, I would have said you were crazy if you said I would be wearing 40-41mm watches regularly.
But in the meantime, Traska, please make at least a 40 if not 41mm version of this watch, and do it with this Istrain green dial as well, because I truly do love this watch. It’s hard to believe it’s a microbrand watch with how well it’s made, and I can’t even believe I am this enamored with a watch that isn’t a dive watch.
If you want to be enamored as well and love watches under 40mm, check out this Commuter lineup.
I've been an avid watch lover since the age of 7. Watches are not only my hobby but a passion. My favorite style used to be dive watches, but field or non bezel watches have been growing on me. When I'm not reviewing watches I am either cooking or with family and friends.
