Roebuck Diviso Watch Review

It’s not often you see internal bezels in anything but a dive watch, so the Roebuck Diviso represents an interesting design choice. How does it hold up?

Roebuck Diviso Review

The Roebuck watch company lent me the green/grey version of the Diviso watch as part of its tour of UK reviewers. It took some time to arrive with me, but I was not disappointed when I finally got my hands on it!

It is presented in a slide-out leather box that does protect the watch, but I found its magnetic catch was not strong enough to hold it shut and the watch rattled about inside a bit.  

Case

I had to double-check the price when I first inspected the finishing of the Roebuck Diviso case: it is, quite simply, superb. The case has a fascinating profile, with polished edges surrounding a brushed centre section. Every surface is finished to perfection, with twin crowns that are just the right size and shape. The top crown operates the internal bezel; the bottom one sets the time. Inside is a Miyota 9039 movement – a superb Japanese option that is accurate and reliable, ticking away at 8 beats per second.

The watch is a pleasure to wear, with stubby lugs making its 42mm diameter manageable on smaller wrists. If I had to pick one area that could be improved, it would be that the case back is perhaps a bit bland – but who looks at the back of their watches? Around the edge is a bezel with a subtle 30-dimensional carbon-fibre type effect. It’s not “in-your-face-obvious”, but it really adds to the premium feel of the watch.

Dial and Hands

That attention to detail and quality finishing extends to the dial and hands. The markers all have shiny metallic surrounds, and the hands are effortless to read. The dial itself has a corrugated appearance that catches the light in a most attractive way, and there is just the right amount of depth.

The internal bezel moves smoothly but perhaps would have benefitted from a little more resistance: it is easy to knock out of alignment. Speaking of alignment, the absence of any minute markings around the dial makes it quite hard to line up. As the instructions say, it’s not meant to measure to chronometer levels of accuracy, but it does make it a little less useful than I initially expected.

Strap and Buckle

How often have I complained that a watch brand makes a great looking watch then fits it to a strap that feels like it is made out of plastic? Not this time: the Roebuck Watch Company mount the Diviso on a superb soft leather strap that is absolutely in line with the high quality seen elsewhere. Extra marks for the quick-release spring pins, reducing the risk of scratched lugs when you swap the strap.

 

Roebuck Diviso – Video Review

What I Liked

  • I really like the way the corrugated dial design catches the light.
  • The finish on the metal surfaces is excellent.
  • The whole design of the watch holds together really well.

What I Didn’t Like

  • It’s a little too easy to move the internal bezel accidentally – and hard to line it up without a marker at 12
  • I prefer a watch with a date and would have loved to see a date at a 6 O’clock option.
  • The box could have a better closure system.

Roebuck Watch Company Diviso – the WRUK Verdict

While chatting about this watch, I was asked: “isn’t it a bit expensive?”. I have to disagree. $550 – about £410 – is a price point that has been near-abandoned by the big brands. There are some good watches beneath it, but the main players are pushing their prices upwards (I’m talking to you, Christopher Ward) which I think has made a space where microbrands can flourish.

When I am saying, one of the things I dislike about a watch is the way its box closes you can tell I am clutching at straws – and indeed I am. There is very little to fault in the Diviso: the Roebuck Watch Company has made a superb watch at a great price, and I can highly recommend picking one up if you like the way it looks.

Buy a Roebuck Diviso

You can buy your Roebuck Diviso direct from the brand for $550 at roebuckwatchco.com.

By Mike Richmond

Mike spends what little spare time he has writing for WRUK; and what little money he makes building up his collection of timepieces.

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