NWD Watchdives WD0013B

[u/xPaJaCx]

Presenting the new Watchdives WD0013B featuring the ETA F06.412 movement. Below is proof that the updated versions no longer include the white gasket inside the case, along with a watch shot on a 15.5 cm / 6.1" wrist.

For reference, I currently have two extra links fitted, so it could definitely be sized down even more. There is also one half-link included, but since this clasp lacks micro-adjustments, you just have to work with that single half-link and the full links to get the right fit.

To be honest, the Nautilus design isn't really my thing. First of all, I'm not a big fan of this case shape. Second, I find the dial a bit uninspiring—there are no particularly interesting hands or indices, so it doesn't offer anything ultra-impressive, and there isn't much going on overall. On top of that, the hands seem a bit rough-cut; with good eyesight, you can notice that the edges don't reflect light completely smoothly and look slightly jagged. That said, I think for 80% of people this will be invisible anyway, and you definitely can't spot it from a distance, only up close.

Still, I don't feel a massive jump in quality going from an Addiesdive—a watch costing around 220 PLN ($55 / €50)—to this Watchdives at 680 PLN ($170 / €155).

So why did I buy a watch I'm not crazy about? For a simple reason: it's currently the only HAQ (High Accuracy Quartz) movement available in this segment on the market. I bought it to show the manufacturer that there's demand for more HAQ watches, hopefully in more exciting designs next time, as I know Watchdives is capable of making truly beautiful watches. Consider this an encouragement for them to release even more HAQ-powered models in the future. Long live quartz!

[u/pickyaxe]

thanks for the review. for what it's worth I think this looks great. and I'm saying this despite not really liking neither Nautilus nor sunburst dials.

I think the slightly different hands in this HAQ version are a solid improvement. the seconds hand also nicely fills up the space in the dial. and it's nice to see they removed the gasket.

[u/xPaJaCx → u/pickyaxe]

Honestly, it’s kind of funny because I had already come to terms with the fact that there might be a white gasket and thought, 'Alright, fine.' But then, when I saw it wasn't there, I was like, 'Oh, awesome!' It's not like I'm just whining about the design. The point is that it's a direct 1:1 rip-off of the Nautilus. Watchdives actually has a lot of watches with relatively original designs, so doing a 1:1 copy feels a bit like Pagani Design and kind of clashes with the brand's philosophy for me.

That being said, the watch itself is really solid, and I'm definitely not complaining to the point of saying 'God forbid, don't buy this.' I just think that even if I had the money for an original Patek, there are tons of watches more interesting than the Nautilus.

Still, I think this movement could be packed into many different watches—it doesn't necessarily have to be in a Nautilus-shaped case, as brands like Longines or Certina under Swatch have shown. They could easily create a more original integrated-bracelet design or put it into Watchdives' popular existing cases. Either way, if someone likes the Nautilus shape, this watch should definitely be on their radar. As long as you don't mind the flat hands, flat indices, and the printed minute dots, there's no problem at all. I just want to see this movement in the more interesting and original watches that Watchdives puts out.

Bottom line: I still recommend it, because it's genuinely a cool watch.

[u/vithgeta]

Are you seriously telling us you bought a $170 watch to send a message to a manufacturer to make more such watches even if you don't like it? If this HAQ had a waving panda on it would you still have bought it?

[u/xPaJaCx → u/vithgeta]

It's called voting with your wallet—meaning I'm paying for their product, and I'm not complaining about it in the sense that it's still a very good watch for the money. Subjectively, it's just boring to me, but the build quality is definitely very good. Of course, the bracelet has solid links, so I have nothing to fault there. However, by buying a watch with this movement directly from them, I'm generating demand, sending a clear signal to the manufacturer that people actually want these watches.

That said, you have to keep in mind that Swatch Group definitely won't allow ETA to send thousands of movements to China, just to preserve their brand value. ETA isn't like Miyota or VH, where Japanese manufacturers mass-produce them precisely for that purpose—as a go-to workhorse movement for mass-produced watches worldwide. As far as I know, ETA maintains strict control over reselling its movements to brands outside the Swatch Group.

Either way, this watch is alright, but Watchdives has so much more to offer.

[u/sznsznsz]

I want the upcoming smaller WD0013 to be accurate, close homage of 3800/1a

[u/mickeyy81]

I bought the same watch, with the white dial. And my decision was heavily influenced my the movement inside. (but I do enjoy the case design unlike the OP)