In the metal – the Traska Venturer GMT
Refinement is everything for a watch. The sum of all details is what makes it. I’ve seen many great watches but there is always something odd. Good size but too thick, great functionality but unreliable movement, you get the idea.
Traska is a brand based in in the US that has been making vintage inspired watches. You might think that this a very saturated market but, the designs and dimensions of their watches are spot on, we will come back to this later.
With supercompressors, skin divers and field watches under their catalogue, we now have their most ambitious watch to date: the Venture GMT. The Venturer is a watch that departures from the norm, it has an inner rotating bezel, symmetry as calling card and of course, a true GMT movement.
In terms of complications, GMTs are among the favourites for the watch community. Having the ability to track different time zones has become more and more relevant. The Venturer GMT has a vintage vibe, but it is completely modern. It looks like no other GMT on the market and includes a vast number of details that I am excited to comment about. Join me to discover more.
The specifications
The Venturer GMT has vintage proportions. The raised sapphire looks like plexiglass, it mimics the distortions very well, modern technology with vintage look. Coming back to the dimensions, the case is 38.5mm with a lug to lug of 47mm. You can already tell that these measurements are perfect for a large array of wrists. The case is full of transitions between polished and brushed surfaces. Over the lugs we see bevelled edges that continue to the bracelet.
For this review, we got Venturer Bottle Green version. The dial looks outstanding, it feels fresh with a gloss that appears to be wet paint. The indices perfectly match the handset, and that orange GMT arrow breaks the monochromatic nature of the watch. On the dial we can also find a date at 6 o’clock, it keeps the symmetry nicely and of course, a GMT watch needs a date.
The crown at 11 o clock controls the inner rotating bezel for the second time zone. At 3, we can find the main screw down crown with no guards, another detail for the vintage enthusiast.
The crown controls the time setting function, date, and the local jumping hour hand. This is possible thanks to the Miyota 9075 automatic movement. I handled this calibre in many watches as it is becoming very popular, but I believe that the Traska makes the best use of it. The watch is also water resistance to 150m and incorporates a solid case back.
On the wrist
As I was mentioning, every part counts to make a watch a great proposition. The wearability of the Traska Venturer is high. Not only the diameter and lug to lug are good but also the thickness stays at 10mm. Regardless of the price point, this is the thinnest GMT watch I’ve ever reviewed, the closest one I came across is an old Explorer II polar 5-digit reference and as you know. The Explorer II is a watch that costs 10 times more.
The comfort is not only thanks to the dimensions, but the bracelet also plays a big part here. The fully articulating links are very good, they tapper from 20mm in the case to 16mm to the clasp which also includes a macro adjusting system on the go. The details just keep on coming.
The drill lugs would make easier to change the straps but to be honest this bracelet was perfect. I bet it would look great on a vintage brown leather strap but unfortunately, I liked it too much on as a full metal version.
The Venturer is also very light and includes a hardening coating that counters scratches at ease. I have worn nonstop the watch for over a week, and I cannot see any marks. Also I am not trying but it is good to know that it can take a punch or two. The lugs also dripped down onto the wrist; this means that the watch always stays in place.
Legibility is another plus point for the Venturer GMT, there is a good amount of contrast between the dark green and white markers. The orange GMT arrow is legible in the dark thanks to the BGW9 Superluminva, this application is also present on the applied indices, al nice blue hue that lasts.
I’ve put the Venturer Traska GMT to test with outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. It performed well and the level of accuracy was very good, felt like a regulated watch. I’ve also used it to go to the office, a more causal environment where I believe the green works very well. Not too loud nor dull.
Conclusions
The Venturer offers a great number of quality details. It is well made, executed and performs as it should. It can be worn on many occasions if not all of them. Feels as a sports watch and an elegant companion; I really should have tried that strap. What I like about Traska is the attention to detail they put into their watches. They really look and feel something that can cost at least 4x the price, we can ask that Explorer II how it felt.
Another part that we haven’t mentioned is the price, and it is a good one.
The Venturer GMT is available to order on their website from November the 5th at 11 am EST at $720 USD.
It comes in Carbon Black, Steel Blue, Artic White and of course, our Bottle Green.
I am sure they will sold out in no time so make sure you are online at that time to get one. More information at https://www.traskawatch.com/
Technical Specifications
Case 38.7mm, Thickness – 11.9mm, Lug to Lug – 45.8mm, Lug Width – 20mm
Miyota 9075 GMT Self Winding, 42hr Power Reserve
Brushed & Polished 316L Stainless Case and steel Bracelet with 1200Hv Hardness Coating
24Hr Internal Rotating Beze;
Boxed Double Domed Sapphire, Underside Anti-Reflective Coatings
Lacquered, Applied Hour Markers
Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9
Water Resistance: 150m / 15 ATM / 500ft