If you’re in the market for a reliable automatic dive watch, but don’t want to pour your entire life savings into a luxury piece, then your options are definitely limited. If you’re in this situation, then you’ll probably be interested in the Aquatico Ocean Star Automatic. For just $400, this watch comes with a Seiko automatic movement, a steel bracelet, and 300 meters of water resistance. Keep reading to find out if the Aquatico Ocean Star is for you.
Seiko Movement
The Aquatico Ocean Star Automatic is powered by a Seiko NH35 movement, which is one of the most popular movements used by midrange watch brands. Fully wound, the NH35 has a power reserve of 41 hours, which is pretty solid for this price point.
The NH35 uses 24 jewels which create 21,600 vibrations per hour, or six ticks per second. In terms of accuracy, expect a deviation of +40/-20 per day. This is a pretty big swing, but for an automatic watch under $500, you can’t really complain, because of the NH35’s overall reliability.
A great feature of the NH35 is that it features hacking. Plenty of watches at double or even triple the price point of the Ocean Star don’t have this feature, which is credit to the value for money that the NH35 brings.
So, the Aquatico Ocean Star has a great movement behind it- one that will last you years if you treat it properly.
Dial and Bezel
The Aquatico Ocean Star comes with a black dial and bezel with white hour markers and numbers. The hour markers are pretty chunky, and give off a similar vibe to the Rolex Submariner. The dial also houses a white Aquatico logo above the hands and the word “Automatic” below. You’ll also find the words “Divers Watch/300m” in red, which offers a nice contrast to the black and white theme of the dial. There’s also a nice flick of red on the second hand.
The bezel is easy to spin and makes a satisfying click sound as you turn the dial. You can put the dial in 120 different positions, and it spins both ways too. The bezel feels sturdy in the hands and isn’t too chunky to make the watch look out of proportion.
A date window is displayed at three O’Clock, which is pretty standard for dive watches. It looks great and is easily legible at a glance. Speaking of legibility, everything on the dial and bezel is covered in luminous paint, and it’s surprisingly bright.
You’re getting an anti-scratch sapphire crystal with the Aquatico Ocean Star Automatic. Sapphire crystals are usually seen on the higher end of the market, so it’s actually pretty surprising to see this kind of quality on a watch under $500.
The case back is sealed on the Aquatico, so you won’t be able to see that Seiko movement. But, it’s not all bad news as the case back does come engraved with a neat little divers helmet. Plus, the solid case back helps with the water resistance.
Bracelet and Clasp
The bracelet is made from stainless steel and feels sturdy and secure on the wrist. The style is pretty similar to an Oyster bracelet from Rolex and adds to the divers look that the watch is going for.
You’re getting a typical divers-style clasp with the Aquatico Ocean Star. It’s not the most accommodating clasp in the world, but it will comfortably fit most wrists, and once you close the clasp, the watch feels very secure, which is essential if you plan on using the Aquatico in the water.
In the Box
The whole package comes encased in a nice wooden box, which will look perfect on a shelf or desk. In the box, you’ll receive the watch, a tropic rubber strap, and a steel warranty card which is valid for one year.
The additional rubber strap is of decent quality and helps to dress the watch down for more casual settings. Although, swapping out a steel bracelet can be a bit of a pain, so if you’re going to switch, it’s a good idea to get the right set of tools.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the Aquatico Ocean Star is a great divers watch under the $500 mark. It feels very similar to a Submariner but at a fraction of the cost. The quality is surprisingly good for the price, and the Seiko movement will keep going without a hiccup for years. So, if you are looking to get into the world of diving watches, the Aquatico Ocean Star Automatic is a great place to start.
For more information visit the official Aquatico website here.
Leave a Reply