Picture ©Jon Gaffney
We've talked about Raven Watches here at the blog before. Raven makes some of the best designed, durable and affordable watches in the market. They combine elements ofvintage watches with new and modern details. We love the, here at the blog. We have used Raven Watches in the field for while already and they perferm.
This time, we are reviewing the Raven Trekker 40. One of the latest designs by Raven. The Trekker 40 features:
- A 40mm case diameter, 50mm lug to lug and 20mm lugs. Either brushed or bead blasted
- Sapphire vintage style crystal with AR coating on the inside
- BGW-9 Superluminova
- Movement: Miyota 9015 mechanical automatic movement
- 300 meter water resistance
- Signed screw down crown, screw down case back, rubber gaskets in the crown and case back
- A solid link bracelet with solid end links
- Natural rubber strap
- Nylon strap
- Extra spring bars
So, as you can see right out of the box it has some amazing features. The trekker comes also with a DLC coating and with some other options featured in the picture below.
Photo ©Raven Watches
We all got the bead blasted version with the white hands. It looks sharp and the contrast of the all-white hands, AR coating and domed chrystal makes it legible even in the worst conditions.
The case size is, my opnion, at the sweet spot where it's not too big or to small. The shape and low profile makes this watch a good choice to either wear under a dress shirt with a suit, or over a dry suit while diving. And the drilled holes make it easy to remove the spring bars and change strap in a second.
While the bracelet is great, we all prefer NATO and diving straps for ours.
Another feature we love is the lume. It's bright. It lasts. Period. Both the dial and the bezel are lumed and it makes for a great way of reading time while on recon and waiting quietly ona dark corner.
Though I must mention that sometimes we had to cover the watch since you can see the glow very clearly over night vision and it can give your position away.
The Trekker really is an adaptable watch. Built to withstand rough activities, it does go and do whatever you want to.
We've gone to Africa with the military, ice climbed in New Hampshire, Jumped a HALO with the Raiders, wore a tux for a wedding and wore the watch on crossfit training workouts. The watch just goes with it.
One thing worth mention, and the only thing we don't like, is that the Miyota's self-winding rotor winds only one way, and it's loose on when it rotates the other way. So, sometimes you find yourself feeling it on the wrist. A minor thing, but noticeable.
Overall, the watch gets a 95/100 score for hard wear on the Team. Highly recommended like all watches from Raven.
Here are some pictures.
