Traska · Freediver
Freediver
The Traska Freediver is a 40.5mm vintage-skindiver-inspired automatic dive watch built in hardened 316L stainless steel, now in its seventh generation (Ref. 1187). It pairs a 200m rating, 120-click lumed ceramic bezel, and box-style domed sapphire crystal with a Miyota 9039 movement at $735 — one of the most refined microbrand divers in its price class.
Compare with anotherCase
Water res.
Thick
Lug-to-lug
Overview
| Brand | Traska |
| Reference | 1187 |
| Collection | Freediver |
| Category | Dive |
| Released | 2018 |
| Price guide | Mid-range · $600–900 |
Full specification
Specs
Case & dial
| Diameter | 40.5 mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 48 mm |
| Thickness | 11.9 mm |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 m |
| Crystal | sapphire, box-style double-domed with AR coating on underside |
| Case material | 316L stainless steel, hardened to ~1200HV |
| Bezel | unidirectional, 120-click, lumed ceramic insert |
| Case back | solid |
Movement & furniture
| Type | Automatic |
| Caliber | Miyota 9039 → |
| Power reserve | 42 h |
| Jewels | 24 |
| Lume | BGW9 Super-LumiNova |
| Strap / bracelet | 316L stainless steel bracelet, 20mm tapering to 16mm, quick-release spring bars |
Bottom line
A mature, well-finished microbrand diver that rewards buyers who want genuine tool-watch capability and proprietary scratch resistance without paying a heritage premium — best suited as a versatile everyday wearer rather than a serious dive instrument.
Highlights
- 40.5mm / 48mm L2L — wears slim for the spec
- 200m / 120-click lumed ceramic bezel
- Proprietary ~1200HV case & bracelet hardening
- Box-style domed sapphire with AR undercoating
- Quick-release spring bars on bracelet
Who it's for
Watch enthusiasts and active buyers seeking a capable everyday diver with vintage 1960s skindiver aesthetics in the $700–$800 range. The 48mm lug-to-lug fits medium to large wrists best. Versatile enough to move from casual desk wear to water activities without looking out of place at either.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you prefer a flat crystal profile, want an exhibition caseback to showcase the movement, or need a date window and prefer not to navigate variant selection at checkout.
Before you buy
- Date vs. no-date variants use different movements — Traska product copy says 9039 (no-date) and 9015 (date), while its specifications graphic lists 9039 / 9019; confirm before ordering
- Official Traska spec diagram shows 48mm lug-to-lug; measure your wrist before buying
- Box crystal raises total height to 11.9mm vs. the 10.5mm case body — larger than the bare case spec suggests
- Bracelet tapers to 16mm at the clasp — aftermarket straps only need to match the 20mm lug end
FAQ
Is the Freediver automatic or quartz?
The Freediver is automatic. The Miyota 9039 winds itself from the motion of your wrist, so it needs no battery. A full wind holds roughly 42 hours, so it keeps running overnight off the wrist; left longer it stops and restarts once you wear or hand-wind it.
What movement does the Freediver use?
The Freediver is powered by the Miyota 9039 from Miyota, an automatic caliber with 24 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, and a 28,800 bph beat rate. Being automatic, it winds from the motion of your wrist and needs no battery.
How water resistant is the Freediver?
The Freediver is rated to 200 m. That is true dive territory: fine for swimming, snorkelling and recreational scuba diving, as well as all daily wear. Whatever the rating, avoid operating the crown or pushers underwater, and have the gaskets checked periodically to keep it reliable.
How big does the Freediver wear?
At 40.5 mm across with a 48 mm lug-to-lug and 11.9 mm thick, the Freediver wears as a modern medium-to-large watch. Lug-to-lug is the measurement that really decides fit, since it sets how far the case spans the wrist — 48 mm suits most wrists, and smaller wrists especially should check that figure.
How does the Freediver stand up to similarly priced competitors like Yema, Baltic, or Nodus?
The Freediver's main differentiator is its proprietary 1200HV hardening treatment, which makes the steel and bracelet far more scratch-resistant than standard 316L. Yema's Superman is a closer aesthetic peer but runs a French-made movement at a higher price. Baltic skews more dress-diver. Nodus is also 200m but leans more contemporary. Traska's seven-generation refinement history gives it a maturity edge in fit and finish for the price.
Is the box-style domed crystal a practical choice or purely a vintage affectation?
Practical enough — sapphire is highly scratch-resistant regardless of shape, and Traska's anti-reflective undercoating handles the main readability concern of a dome. The tradeoff is modest added height and some lateral glare in bright sun. Buyers who dislike any crystal protrusion above the bezel should look elsewhere; those who appreciate the vintage skindiver reference will find it one of the watch's best features.
What has actually changed across seven generations of the Freediver?
The original 2018 Freediver (Ref. 1181) was 100m-rated with a sapphire crystal bezel insert. By Ref. 1187 (V7), water resistance doubled to 200m, the bezel insert went fully lumed ceramic, the movement upgraded to the Miyota 9039/9015, the bracelet gained quick-release spring bars and six micro-adjust positions, and lume was upgraded to BGW9 Grade A. The skindiver silhouette has remained consistent throughout.
Compare with
Alternatives
Spotted something wrong? Report a correction →