Spinnaker watches have been a longstanding supporter of WRUK, and they have launched another new model. The Spinnaker Bradner has been upgraded and relaunched – is it worth your hard-earned $285?

Spinnaker Bradner SP-5062 Review

The packing on Spinnaker watches is always quite spartan and the Bradner SP-5062 is no different. A plain white slip-case surrounds a two-part blue box with a simple cushion. The watch is protected by a thin layer of foam but it made it all the way from Hong Kong with no major damage. The strap, being a natural leather, had unfortunately picked up something of a blue tinge from the inside of the box. I’d avoid the light coloured strap as this suggests it will also pick up marks and dirt easily too.

Case

The watch case is really well made with a sapphire box crystal at the front and a display case back (presumably made of mineral glass). The vertically brushed edges make the 15mm high watch look deceptively thick, and coupled with the 20mm lug width give it a very different look to most other Spinnaker models. That’s not to say the Spinnaker Bradner is a bad looking watch -the case wears well and looks good to my eyes.

The compressor style diver’s watch has an internal bezel which is rotated by a second crown (the one at 2 O’clock) and although it turns well the crown for the bezel doesn’t screw down so it is easy to knock out of alignment. The other crown sets the hands and date and it does screw down. The time-adjustment crown is lightly etched with the Spinnaker sail logo, the other one is plain. The watch has a Seiko NH35 movement which is a reliable workhorse and helps keep the price down.

Dial and Hands

The new Spinnaker Bradner is all about the dial. This model is finished in a blue sunburst that catches the light beautifully. The applied markers have well-finished metal surrounds and are lumed with a vintage beige colour. Personally, I prefer white, but the beige is more in-keeping with the 1970s aesthetic. The lume has been upgraded from the old model but it didn’t strike me as distinctive, you won’t get Seiko levels of luminescence in low light. The hands are really nice, I’ve not seen the shape before but they are legible and distinctive.

The real talking point with the Spinnaker Bradner is the internal bezel. It sits outside a metal chapter ring and it is a really deep, three-dimensional design which is brilliant. Every number and every dot is prominent and it gives a real Seiko vibe to the watch that I really love.

Strap and Buckle

Notwithstanding the strap having picked up a blue tint from the interior of the box, it’s really well made. Spinnaker straps are always of good quality (read my review here) and this one is thick, supple and well-stitched.

The buckle is the standard Spinnaker type with a lightly engraved logo and tang buckle.

Video Review

What I Liked

  • For me, this watch is the best looking Spinnaker yet
  • Build quality is excellent
  • At $285 – with this design – it’s good value for money

What I Didn’t Like

  • The internal bezel is too easy to knock out of alignment, it either needs to be tightened up or the crown should screw down
  • The yellow lume is an acquired taste and I think white would look better against the blue dial
  • The strap, although well made, picked up some blue from the box so is likely to also pick up dirt and sweat marks easily too.

Spinnaker Bradner SP-5062 – The WRUK Verdict

Overall, I love it – the Bradner SP-5062 is my favourite Spinnaker model so far. In the interest of full disclosure I did not pay for this watch, so please bear this in mind – but I hope my reputation for honest reviews assures you that I genuinely do like it.

It would be remiss of me not to consider the alternatives. The obvious alternative here is Dan Henry’s 1970 diver. The Dan Henry has a cool orange option and I’ve not heard of the same issue with the easy-to-knock bezel. The 1970 diver comes in 40mm or 44mm; the Spinnaker is right in the middle at 42mm. The Spinnaker has a two-year warranty compared to one year for the Dan Henry and that cool 3D bezel.  Dan Henry supply excellent rubber dive strap (although if you pre-order the Bradner you’ll get one too). Price is almost the same, the Dan Henry watch being $15 cheaper. For me, the limited edition Dan Henry 1970 just nudges into first place of the two but I would seriously consider having the Spinnaker Bradner on my budget compressor shopping list.

Buy a Spinnaker Bradner SP-5062

You can buy Spinnaker watches at their website – and don’t forget to use our 20% off discount code MICHAELRICHMOND20 at the checkout when you buy a Spinnaker watch.

 

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.