For most people, considering which wristwatch to buy at under $300 USD brings a handful of brands to mind. Whilst I myself am a massive Seiko fan, I am starting to discover that there is a whole world of micro brands out there that offer great value for money together with original, clever design.
Spinnaker is a brand that has been up and coming for some time now. They have an impressive catalogue of watches which cover a broad spectrum of use cases and styles. And sitting here with the Bradner on my wrist, I’ve come to realise that Spinnaker are essentially the anti-homage micro brand. Unlike Steinhart (whom I love), each piece has a very unique feel to it. Dial textures, hands, strap options, case shape and polishing, all have an unmistakable Spinnaker flavour. Some might not be to everyone’s taste, but I love that there is unique and original thought behind each piece.
The Bradner, is Spinnakers take of a super compressor style dive watch. The inner rotating bezel and two crown design is reminiscent of those late 1950s EPSA divers, which at the time had patented their case sealing method which increased the watches water resistance as water pressure was applied to the case back. In this instance the watch is not an actual super compressor, however fits the asthetics of one rather nicely.
Taking a closer look at the dial, you will see where the Bradner really shines. From the three dimensional aspect to the inner rotating bezel, to the satin burst texture of the dial, to the unique type font and hands. This watch is a real statement piece and at 42mm, has a great wrist presence without being too over powering.
Another thing to note is the strap options available. The watch comes stock with a red leather two stitch style strap, which was great, but I was highly impressed with the tropic rubber strap which came as an optional extra. I’ve owned a few rubber straps, but none were as comfortable and soft as this. And what better strap to pair with a vintage style diver.
The watch is powered by the widely known and trusted Seiko NH35, which always fills me with a sense of certainty. And with a sapphire crystal and 180m water resistance, this watch definitely falls into the ‘beater’ category.
At $285 USD and available in a range of colours and styles, the Bradner is a great choice for any watch lover out there looking for something a little different.
Link: https://www.spinnaker-watches.com/collections/bradner
Specifications
Diameter: 42mm
Lug width: 20mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Case: 316L Stainless Steel
Caliber: Seiko NH35, 21,600 vph, 41 hour power reserve
Strap: Red Waterproof Genuine leather, signed buckle
Water Resistance: 18 ATM
Melbourne Watch Republic 