In this day and age, if a dive watch is what you seek, there are a multitude of options to select from: Automatic or Quartz movements; the well known pieces and some gems that are as yet not as well known. The Ares Watch Co Diver-1 Mission Timer, designed and manufactered here in the U.S. is one of those gems.

And yes, this version is a Quartz movement that I am totally fine with. My other watches that are automatic were running whacky and I got tired of babysitting them. Maybe these needed a service or my expectation was too high. Either way, I was wanting a new watch but knew I wanted something just a bit different, instead of what “everybody” has.

While on Instagram I saw a photo of the Diver-1 and was hooked. It has that right amount of “uniqueness ” I had been searching for. Coming in at 41mm with drilled lugs at 22mm is perfect for me. Not too big and not heavy either. The lug width was also important due to most of my straps are 22mm in width. Speaking of straps my Diver-1 came supplied with two natos or lash straps one olive drab and one black. Which I if I may add are very well made too. I purchased the rubber strap. This rubber strap of the Ares Watch Co Diver-1 Mission Timer is possibly the best that I have worn.

Matt Graham, former police officer, former Air Marshal, and if that were not enough a retired CIA agent, is the brainchild behind the Ares Watch Company. The Diver-1 has 3 options, mine is the standard bead blasted stainless steel version, the Diver -1B has a black PVD case, and the Diver-1C has a stainless steel bead blasted case with PVD bezel and crown. These also have an optional date version and can be had in all options with an ETA 2824 automatic. Also, there is a Global Mission Timer which is an automatic GMT available in all 3 options. All of these versions of the Ares Watch Co Diver-1 Mission Timer are assembled in Seattle, Washington and tested beyond what is specified at 300 meters.