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Traska Freediver V7
The Traksa Freediver V7 is, you guessed it, the 7th version of this dive watch. A very popular dive watch, and I am intimating that it won’t be too long till these new versions are completely sold out and enthusiasts will be waiting for the next batch. The Freediver has undergone more changes than all the other Traska models, as it has been around the longest. A few iterations ago, it got the biggest change with a new case design, a new dial design, and since then, it has received minimal changes, or more like refinements. This time around, there are two new colors, a Chauoen Blue and a Hunter green, added to the lineup, and the bracelet gets quick-release spring bars. Date or No-date options are still offered (Miyota 9015 or 9039), and it’s still got everything else you love from Traksa, like the adjustable clasp and the 1200HV hard coating. The price has gone up a bit to now $705, but this watch still has a lot of value, that is, if you like this clean vintage-inspired design.
Specifications
– 40.5 mm Stainless Steel Case
– 48mm Lug to Lug
– 20mm Lug Width
– 10.5mm Thick
– 154 Grams in Weight
– Box Sapphire Crystal
– Ceramic Bezel Insert
– 120 Click Unidirectional Bezel
– 200 Meters Water Resistant
– Miyota 9039 Movement (as shown)
– 20 mm bracelet tapering to 16mm
– Tool-less Adjustment Clasp
– 1200HV hard coating
Price $705
https://www.traskawatch.com/collections/freediver
The Traska Freediver V7 still retains that vintage-inspired look, the no-crown-guard round case dive watch, similar to a Tudor Blackbay or an Oris Sixty-five, and countless other watches of this style. Call it a Freediver, call it a Skindiver (which are different types of diving), but this style of watch is popular because while it has a dive bezel, it’s a little less dive watch looking than your heavy hitters like a Submariner or Seamaster, a Doxa, or the Tudor Pelagos. The Freediver is more “dress diver” while still retaining the screw down crown and 200m of water resistance. This latest version has a very uncluttered, easy-to-read dial, a fully indexed ceramic bezel insert, and a domed box sapphire crystal, but you won’t find any Helium Release Valve, secondary bezel, crown locks, etc. This style of dive watch is a clean design, no gimmicks, and one that can be worn for many occasions.
Last year, I reviewed version 5 of the Traska Freediver shortly before version 6 came out. The changes or refinements from both to the 7 are very small. The biggest changes from the 5 to the 7 are the new bezel insert, with larger vertical hash marks, slightly modified applied indices, and, now, this year, the only addition is quick-release spring bars for the bracelet. Two new colors were added, this Chaouen blue, based on the color of the Moroccan city of Chefchaouen, where all the houses and pretty much everything are distinct shades of blue. The other new color is Hunter Green, replacing Mint Green, which I know some have stated their disappointment that the Mint Green isn’t available this time around. It seems people love that mint dial.
The dial of the Traska Freediver V7, beyond the minor tweaks to the indices, stays the same. This is just one of those super legible, easy-to-read, uncluttered dials. The model name isn’t even present on the dial, and while I appreciate how clean this dial is, they could have swapped the word automatic for the model name, in my opinion, but that’s just a pet peeve of mine. The hands mirror the shape of the indices, the second hand still has that lollipop, and this blue is just a great shade. Of course, the blue does change slightly depending on lighting, as the dial is enamel, the bezel ceramic, and the crystal a double-domed box sapphire, but it is not your normal shade of blue seen on a lot of watches, and I do find it striking. If no date dials aren’t your thing, they do have a date version, but I believe it is already sold out.
Edit* It looks like both versions of the blue are already sold out. Black, White, and Hunter Green show as still available.
The case design of the Traksa Freediver V7, you guessed it, hasn’t changed. It is the more rounded or bulbous case sides, highly polished with a brushed top of the case. There’s a polished chamfer ton the edge of the brushed top, the bezel edge is polished as is the screw down crown, and still retains the Traska logo. It still has drilled lugs for easy strap removal, and the 120-click bezel is pretty solid on this example, but I did notice it does have a slight amount of play. Being picky, I would prefer a tighter bezel. The crown is the same as the last time I reviewed it, as well. ย Easy to grip with large hands, solid and no issues setting time, winding or screwing back down.
On my 7 1/2 inch or 19.05cm wrist, there are quite a few factors that make the Traska Freediver V7 extremely comfortable on my wrist. As you can see above, the case back is still pretty flat, the bracelet is still that all brushed with polished sides fully articulated bracelet, meaning that the links can fold up on themselves basically, and never kink up, or feel stiff. It allows it to just drape on the wrist. The clasp is the same push button style and has a very easy and appreciated quick adjustment extension, helping you get the perfect fit, or just needing a little extra room on those hot days. Link removal is also easy via one piece screw bars. And now with the quick-release spring bars, it’s easier than ever to remove the bracelet.
Lume has been upgraded as well. It’s still BGW9 SuperLuminova, but it’s brighter and longer-lasting than ever before. Is it blind you in the face, keeps your spouse up at night, blows the roof off lume? No, but it more than does the job and should last around 5 hours before completely fading out.
Traska these days is all about small refinements or tweaks to their models, and each new iteration introduces new color ways, improvements to the dial or bezel, even just font changes. It’s all about making it the best watch for the price point that they can, and I do agree that the Traska Freediver V7 is the best one yet. I love the new bezel insert, this blue dial is beautiful, and this is such an easy watch to wear at 40.5mm. It’s not too large, doesn’t feel dainty on my wrist, and beyond a suit, can be worn with just about anything. Add in that 1200VH hard coating, and this is a watch that can be worn every day without worry, in or out of the water, though I suspect a lot of these watches will never see more than a pool.
The price has continued to creep up, and at $705 it is a little on the pricier side, but a lot of other micros are at that same price point, like Raven or Nodus, and there are a lot of others well beyond this price, so while I wouldn’t say its an abosoute bargain, I do think it is a good value. The big question is- what’s next? With so few changes to this model in the last 3 years, I feel they may need more than some new colors next year. I’m not saying they need to discontinue this piece, I do feel it should be a staple of their collection, but maybe it’s time to leave this one as is, and do more of a standard dive watch as their next new model. In the meantime, yes, this is the best Freediver yet.
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