Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite | Hands On Watch Review

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Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite

What do you get when you take an iconic case design from one brand and pair it with the most recognized dial design in the world? The Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite. The Seiko 62MAS was a popular vintage diver that has recently been re-released by Seiko and a few microbrands have been pumping out homages within the past year or so as well. The Nethuns version is similar to the re-release, with its 41mm case and somewhat long lugs, and a large crown minus crown guards. For some reason, instead of doing a straight up homage, Nethuns chose to go with a Rolex style dial, right down to the Mercedes hands. While there are other variations available, this one is also a meteorite dial, which seems to be popular among a few microbrands these days.

Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite Specifications:

• 41mm Stainless Steel Case
• 42mm Bezel with Ceramic Bezel Insert
• 14mm Thick (16mm Thick with Crystal)
• 51mm Lug to Lug
• 22mm Lug Width
• Box Sapphire Crystal
• Seiko NH35 Automatic Movement
• Waffle Rubber Strap
• 500 Meters Water Resistant

Price $490 USD (Meteorite Dial) 

http://www.nethunswatch.com/collection/NETHUNSSCUBA500STEEL/SPS510METEORITESpecialEdition

Lets get right into it. The case design of the Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite is attractive, and it is a popular vintage style, or now, a popular re-release style. The long lugs and overall shape of the case make the watch wear larger than its 41mm width would suggest, so this is not exactly a small watch, if that is what some may be thinking. Below are some shots on my 7 1/2 inch wrist. As I noted in my last review of a Nethuns watch, they do a pretty damn good job when it comes to case machining and finishing. This one is no exception. The high polish is beautiful and the grind lines for the brushed sections are even, and I can find no rough edges around the case.

The dial of the Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite is obviously the selling point of this version, being as it is meteorite. As I stated in the video, I believe this to be the first time I have had a meteorite dial from a microbrand in my hands. I am not sure if it is my cup of tea or not, but it is interesting. Being meteorite, every dial should look different, some lighter, some darker, different striations and patterns. I said above, that the design is basically your Rolex Sub dial, which we have all seen many times before. This is one of the biggest contentions I have with the Scuba 500. I have covered many homages here at Watchreport, so no snobbery here. I just wish they stayed true to the Seiko it homages and used that type of dial markers and hands, or something else altogether. The Rolex dial looks good on a Rolex and Rolex homages. I just do not think it works here. Of course, that is purely subjective. You may love it.

As most would expect with a microbrand watch such as this, the Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite has sapphire crystal, this one a box dome crystal, which does give an interesting look to the watch, and gives that vintage feeling. A ceramic insert is used for the bezel, and that of course glows in the dark as does the rest of the dial and markers. The screw down crown has little to no play and the bezel itself is easy to grasp and ratchets as it should. The overall fit and finish is very well done here, and even though the case back is a little on the plain side, it has a laser etching done on a brushed surface. Underneath that case back is the the Seiko NH35 movement, which again, has become a go to movement for much of the sub $600 microbrand watches.

When it comes to the rubber strap of the Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite, there is just no other way to say it, I hate it. It is a Seiko style waffle strap and it is hard and yet weirdly gummy at the same time. It is somewhat difficult to put on and put through the dual keepers and it is just plain uncomfortable on the wrist. Of course, it is an easy fix, just put one of your favorite 22mm straps on it and you are good to go, but I wish the strap that came with it was more comfortable. I understand they were going for the original look here, but they already went and put a Rolex dial in a Seiko case, so you did not have to stay true to the original model when it came to the strap.

The lume is fantastic, as I expected. Most microbrands know that guys who buy in this segment expect crazy lume, lumed bezels etc. The Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite does not disappoint in that aspect at all. Strong C3 superluminova is used on the markers, hands and bezel. Not only does it glow very bright, but it is long lasting as well. Cheap luminescence was not used here.

As you can see, I am kind of torn with this one. I like the case itself, and I love the way it fits on my wrist. The lugs look like they are going to be straight and sit awkward on the wrist, but they don’t. They lugs have a nice curve that make the Nethuns Scuba 500 Meteorite comfortable to wear. On the other hand, I am not fond of the dial and hands that were used and of course that waffle strap is not up to par for me either. I think this one is just a miss for me. There are elements I really like and the watch is solidly built for sure, it just does not all come together in my opinion. It may for you though. As I have always said, my word is not gospel, and I can only present it from my perspective. If you have always wanted to check out a meteorite dial, this is an inexpensive way to do so, and maybe you love the dial and case together. Nethuns can build a solid watch; this time the overall aesthetics just missed the mark for me.

Check out the gallery below for even more photos, and if you haven’t yet, watch the video embedded above. As always, you can leave your comments below the gallery.