Ocean Crawler Dream Diver
If you are a fan of dive watches, Ocean Crawler is a brand you want to check out. Their latest model, the Dream Diver, is a bold offering, with a 44mm case, large indices and hands, 600 Meters WR and a helium release valve. Internally, you are looking at a Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement. Ocean Crawler releases quite a few models each year and shows no sign of slowing down either. The Dream Diver maybe your dream diver, or maybe not, but it is another nice offering from the New York-based brand.
Ocean Crawler Dream Diver Specifications:
- Case Diameter (excluding crown): 44mm
- Case Thickness: 15mm
- Lug-To-Lug: 52mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
- Sapphire Crystal
- Bezel: Unidirectional Rotating Bezel with 120 Clicks and Swiss SuperLuminova Markers
- Movement Accuracy. +/- 5 seconds/day in 3 positions
- Water Resistance: 600 meters, 2000-feet or 60 ATM
- 2 Straps Included
Price $999.00
https://www.oceancrawler.com/pages/watches
Now, I understand that the orange color of this Ocean Crawler Dream Diver shown in this review is not going to be for everyone, but there are a few other dial colors available. It looks like a deep red dial and a blue carbon fiber option are in stock, but black is sold out. This watch and its design are not what I would call understand, though nothing about the Ocean Crawler brand is. Ever present is the cursive text of the model name, Dream Diver on the dial, a signature for the brand so far. The signature case back is used here as well. I like that the brand wants to be recognized, but I also feel that if someone collects multiple pieces from the brand, some of these elements could start to be repetitive.
At 44mm by 52mm, this is a sizeable watch, though I have seen some slim wristed guys on social media wearing it. (It does look large on them). While the lugs of the Dream Diver do have a curve to them, the watch case itself does tend to stretch across the wrist and I find it to wear a little on the large side even on my 7 1/2 inch wrist. It feels larger to me than my 55mm lug to lug Breitling Avenger Seawolf, but that is because that watch has extremely curved lugs. When it comes to straps, two are included- a nice (but somewhat thin) black leather strap with orange stitching and a strap that has a leather backing. Of the two, I would prefer the canvas as it seems to be a little sturdier and balances this larger watch out better.
From the Ocean Crawler Website:
Not All Diver Watches Were Created Equal. This Is What Makes The Ocean Crawler The Best Diver Watch Available:
- True water resistance to 2000 feet or 600 meters.
- Helium Release Valve.
- Powerful shock resistance to 6000 G.
- Automatic, precise diver watch – no batteries needed. Watch winds itself with the movement of your wrist.
- Thick domed sapphire crystal glass with 3.5mm thickness. An anti-reflective coating is applied to the domed glass to prevent any reflection underwater.
- Guaranteed to keep precise time for at least 5 years.
The paragraph above came directly from the Ocean Crawler Website. This quote did as well “Every single Ocean Crawler has been immersed in water and has been thoroughly tested to withstand pressures much greater than those found under 2000 feet. This is why the Ocean Crawler is your best friend for water sports, scuba diving, spearfishing, and even ocean-bed exploration.”
I would certainly hope that is true and not just marketing, as they are bold claims. It is pretty well speculated that not many microbrands truly test their dive watches to these lengths and that would account for pricing on some of those said microbrands. (That’s one reason they are so cheap). If the Ocean Crawler Dream Diver is tested as such, it would be another reason this is not what many call a “budget microbrand”.
The Ocean Crawler Dream Diver does look a little similar to some past Ocean Crawler watches and that is either on purpose or in hindsight. I personally think this is a very attractive diver, even if it is similar to other watches I have seen before. The one thing I do question though is the same crown being used again, especially a crown such as this for a dive watch. For one, it is unprotected (no crown guards) and while this is far from the only watch with this attribute (Tudor and Oris off the top of my head), the crown design does seem like it could get caught on something easily. In fairness, I never had any issues with the crown, or this watch in general, though I wasn’t swimming around in an ocean or lake with it either.
Now, If I am being fair, the majority of watch enthusiasts (geeks, freaks, nuts, or however else you like to refer to yourself) do not dive, admittedly. Yes, some guys are still avid divers, but they do not rely on an analog dive watch such as this when diving. If anything, they use these watches as a backup to their dive computer. I have heard from a few divers, that watches such as this would not be used by them because they lack the lume pip, no crown guards, no easily distinguishable minute hand and more. So what does that mean? Well, maybe it is not meant to be used as a hardcore dive watch, but still can go in the ocean if needed.
As I said, I don’t dive, and never have. I think a key factor to remember here though, is I do not fly a plane either (Pilot Watch) nor am I out in the field or on safari regularly (meaning never), yet I still wear field watches as well. The Ocean Crawler Dream Diver is a good looking watch with a bold aesthetic and I do happen to like it. I can say it is not my absolute favorite offering from the brand, but that is just one man’s opinion as well. As I always state, sign up to Ocean Crawlers newsletter to stay informed about preorders-that is where you will save money. Also check out their dealers such as Watchgauge, where you can save some coin from time to time as well.
