The year is 2024 and the amount of microbrands out there in the watch market is insane. I mean, as a buyer, the options are unlimited. Traska is absolutely one of them.
Seriously, you’ve got a winner for every category. Brew Watches for coffee lovers. Monta for those wanting supreme quality. AnOrdain for those looking for unique hand-crafted dials. Zelos for the flashy meteorite-dial divers. The list simply goes on, and on, and on. And the best part? All of them are unique and hold their own in a rather saturated watch market. Regardless of your style, fashion choices, design preference, there is a microbrand for you.
Then, there is Traska. In an industry where novelty seems to dominate how popular a microbrand becomes. Traska is comfortable with its pragmatic approach to design and watchmaking. That’s not to say Traska’s watches are boring, but rather, they serve a purpose.
With Traska, it’s all about everyday watches that you can take on any adventure. Think of it as an amalgamation of all the adventures you’ll ever have in your life. And BAM, a Traska’s been there with you. Or it can be anyways.
Affordable, reliable, stylish.
Traska’s Story
I’ve introduced the birth of Traska in my review of their Summiteer V4. In a nutshell, Jon Mack ruined his 1966 Bulova Snorkel in a Vietnamese beach in 2018. And the ghost of the Snorkel drove itself into Jon’s subconscious and created Traska. Close enough anyways.
Jon wanted to create a modern, durable timepiece with classic aesthetics that would survive any adventure. The Traska Freediver was Jon’s first entry into the microbrand world. Fully funded in just a few hours, Traska began their journey officially on April 17, 2018.

Traska Watches Are Tough
Durability is one thing that is undeniable with Traska. All of their cases are treated with their proprietary case hardening treatment. Regular 316L steel measures approximately 200HV on the Vickers hardness scale. The cases on the Traska’s measure close to 1200HV, 6 times more scratch-resistant than your regular steel.
Having owned a few Traska’s myself, I have yet to see a single scratch appear on any of the cases. And how do you know Traska is ridiculously confident in their case durability? The cases are all fully-polished. Unless I’m mistaking it for the proprietary treatment.
In any case, they’re tough as nails. And here are some Traska’s in my collection.
Freediver Gen 5
Let’s start with their first ever watch, the Traska Freediver. Now in it’s 5TH iteration (ref 1185), the brand’s diver has seen many changes from 6 years ago. I’ve got the Freediver in artic white with no date, and it certainly stands out among other divers. You’re getting a 40.5mm case diameter, which I must admit does wear a little large on my skinny 6 inch wrists. The lug-2-lug measures in at 48mm which is slightly more than what I’m comfortable with. Fortunately, the Freediver is extremely thin at only 10.5mm, excluding the box-domed sapphire crystal.

Should I buy the Traska Freediver Gen 5? If you’re looking for a practical, tough diver that’s also good looking – it’s a no brainer. At USD$660, it’s certainly not extremely affordable, but it also isn’t ridiculous. You’re getting a unique diver that is really well constructed across the board, and is quite fun. Though if you have smaller wrists like myself, you might want to give this a miss.
Summiteer V4
If you want to know how much I adore the Summiteer, I called it the best Explorer 36 alternative. It’s no secret that the Summiteer takes heavy inspiration from the Explorer. As much as direct homages are despised, the Summiteer is the furthest thing away from that. Yes the dimensions are extremely similar with the mid-size 36mm, and the 3-6-9 numerals. But that’s where the homage ends.
The Summiteer V4 has a sector-like dial with an embossed inner dial contrasting the outer dial. I love the fact that the indices are raised lume plots, giving the dial an overall 3D effect. The diamond-cut handset completes the look by providing a bit of a bling.

Is the Traska Summiteer V4 worth it? Absolutely, especially if you’re looking for an affordable Rolex Explorer 36 alternative. I’d argue that there is simply no better option in the current affordable market. At $625, you’re getting a 36mm companion that’s sure to satisfy your explorer-cravings.
Commuter V3
If the Summiteer paid homage to the Rolex Explorer, then the Commuter is the Oyster Perpetual’s equivalent. I gave the Summiteer a pass for it’s uniqueness, but the Commuter is basically a direct homage of the OP. Now in it’s third iteration, the Commuter is your everyday business-casual timepiece. With a 38.5mm case diameter, 46mm lug-to-lug and only 8.75mm thin, it’s a great daily wear.

Who is the Traska Commuter for? The Commuter will suit enthusiasts wanting a substantial and serious timepiece without breaking the bank. At USD$635, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth in terms of overall reliability and durability. It’s no doubt the Commuter takes heavy inspiration from the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. But to some, that may be a good thing.
Traska Buying Guide
Outside of the three watches mentioned above, there’s also the Seafarer and Venturer. Both of which sport a dual-crown case, and have the most unique designs. With five staples in their collection, there is a watch for everyone. The Summiteer gets my vote out of the bunch, with the Commuter being a close second. To completely transparent, I’m not a huge fan of the Freediver at all. The older versions seemed to have more personality in their designs.
I’d like to see Traska come up with a chronograph next. Based on what they’ve released so far, a meca-quartz chrono in a 38mm case would be an instant hit.
Are Traska Watches Worth it?
At $600 – $800, Traska finds themselves in a prince range that’s extremely competitive. You’ve got competition from mainstream brands like Seiko, Tissot, Certina, Orient, etc. Then, there other microbrands like Baltic, Brew, Steinhart, and even Christopher Ward. There’s certainly a lot of options out there, and it’s about what you prioritize.
With Baltic, for example, you’re getting more unique designs and “flashier” timepieces. Traska on the other hand, loses out on creativity points, but dominates the durability category. But one thing about Traska that is undeniable, is the everyday (GADA) nature of their watches. They’re not meant to be flashy, or be unique. Traska isn’t secretive about paying homage to classic designs. In fact, Traska’s mission is to modernized classic designs in an affordable package.
I think they’ve done that quite well.