Freediver

Mid-range $600–900

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.

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40.5mm

Case

200m

Water res.

11.9mm

Thick

48mm

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

On the wrist

On the wrist the Freediver carries its 40.5mm diameter with confidence but without bulk: the hardened bracelet and slim case body tuck under a cuff better than the spec sheet implies, and the 48mm lug-to-lug sits neutrally on medium to larger wrists without the awkward overhang many modern divers suffer. The box crystal is polarising — it protrudes a few millimetres above the bezel edge and can catch harsh overhead light — but the anti-reflective undercoating keeps the lacquered black dial readable from almost any angle, and the vintage character it adds is exactly the point.

The dial is a study in restrained execution: hand-applied sword indices, diamond-cut baton hands, and BGW9 lume that outlasts most competitors in the dark. The 120-click ceramic bezel action is crisp and free of backplay. The coin-edge grip sits perfectly between practical and ornamental. Where some microbrands feel assembled, the Freediver feels designed — the polished chamfers, drilled lugs, and hardened bracelet all tell a coherent story about a brand that has iterated this watch seven times and means it.

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 are separate SKUs with different movements — confirm 9039 (no-date) or 9015 (date) before ordering
Lug-to-lug cited as 46mm in some third-party reviews — official Traska spec diagram shows 48mm; 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?

It runs a automatic movement.

What movement does the Freediver use?

The Miyota 9039 (Miyota).

Does the Freediver have a date?

No.

How water resistant is the Freediver?

It is rated to 200 m.

How big does the Freediver wear?

40.5 mm wide with a 48 mm lug-to-lug.

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 Seiko NH38 and a stainless steel bezel insert, priced around $375. 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 case size and skindiver silhouette have remained consistent throughout.