Watchdives WD1863 Review – A Refined Speedmaster Homage With a Seiko VK63

The Watchdives WD1863 is a familiar proposition in the affordable chronograph market, drawing clear inspiration from the Omega Speedmaster while introducing a level of finishing that deserves closer examination. Its combination of sculpted stainless steel construction, a boxed sapphire crystal and the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz movement makes it an interesting alternative to some of the more established budget chronographs.

Priced around $150, or approximately $120 during promotional sales, the WD1863 sits slightly above the most affordable Speedmaster-inspired models. Having examined its case construction, bracelet and dial in detail, I found that much of its appeal comes from the execution of familiar design elements, although not every component receives the same attention. For current AliExpress prices across the Watchdives range, check our dedicated Watchdives Deals page.

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Design & Case

The Watchdives WD1863 measures 41.5mm in diameter, 13.8mm thick and 46.6mm effective lug-to-lug. Much of the thickness comes from the prominently boxed sapphire crystal, while the inverted end links help keep the overall length surprisingly compact.

The stainless steel case features tall, horizontally brushed flanks and elegantly curved lugs that hook downward towards the wrist. Beneath the case flank sits the polished lip of the screw-down caseback, introducing a subtle layered appearance.

What I particularly appreciate is the polished 45-degree bevel running between the brushed mid-case and the lug hoods. It begins relatively narrow near the centre before gradually widening towards the lug tips, eventually becoming part of the lug architecture itself.

This creates flowing reflections along the case, giving the WD1863 a more sculpted appearance than its otherwise conventional chronograph proportions might suggest.

The combination of brushed surfaces, polished transitions and downward-curving lugs is well executed, giving the watch a refined character without losing the functional appearance associated with its Speedmaster-inspired design. The case architecture and dial treatment place this within a recognizable family of racing chronograph designs. There are a handful of watches that capture a comparable balance between modern finishing and classic inspiration, for example the more affordable Pagani Design PD1701 with sapphire crystal and the VK63.

Movement & Crown

Powering the Watchdives WD1863 is the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz movement, combining conventional quartz timekeeping with mechanical-style chronograph operation.

The chronograph measures elapsed time in 0.2-second increments, producing a smoother sweep of the central chronograph seconds hand than the one-second movement associated with conventional quartz timekeeping.

Operation is straightforward. The upper pusher starts and stops the chronograph, while the lower pusher resets it. Pressing the reset button sends the central chronograph hand snapping directly back to 12 o’clock, one of the most satisfying characteristics of Seiko’s meca-quartz movements.

On the right-hand side of the stainless steel case sits a signed screw-down crown measuring 6.4mm across. Its deeply notched exterior provides a clearly defined grip, while the two chronograph pushers sit above and below it.

I particularly appreciate the VK63’s operating character. The combination of precise quartz regulation, smooth chronograph movement and immediate reset gives the WD1863 a mechanical feel during stopwatch operation without requiring a fully mechanical chronograph movement.

Bezel

The WD1863 features a fixed bezel with a polished outer ridge and a contrasting black tachymeter scale. Its design follows the familiar visual arrangement associated with traditional racing chronographs, providing a clear boundary between the stainless steel case and the bright white dial.

The polished outer surface complements the sweeping bevels running along the case flanks, creating continuity between the bezel and the more sculpted sections of the watch head.

Viewed from above, the black tachymeter markings establish a strong contrast against the white dial, reinforcing the WD1863’s instrument-inspired appearance. The combination also prevents the otherwise bright dial from feeling visually isolated within the stainless steel case.

There is no rotating mechanism here, as the tachymeter serves as a fixed scale associated with chronograph timing.

What works particularly well is the restraint of the execution. The bezel introduces the expected racing-watch character without excessive decoration, allowing the case finishing and dial layout to remain the primary visual features.

Bracelet

The WD1863 comes fitted with a three-link stainless steel bracelet, predominantly brushed but with polished inner shoulders on the outer links. These polished accents create the visual impression of a five-link construction, adding complexity without changing the underlying three-link arrangement.

The bracelet measures 20mm at the lugs and tapers to 16mm at the clasp, giving the watch a slightly more elegant profile. The finishing complements the polished bevels of the case, although the construction itself is less impressive. The links use a conventional push-pin assembly, and noticeable gaps are present even before the bracelet is flexed.

Those gaps become more pronounced when the bracelet is stretched, revealing relatively loose tolerances between individual components. Fortunately, the short links provide excellent articulation, allowing the bracelet to move fluidly and drape naturally around the wrist.

The clasp is considerably better executed. It is a signed milled stainless steel unit with a double push-button release, five micro-adjustment positions and a proper milled folding wing. The result is a bracelet that looks well integrated and wears comfortably, despite its less convincing link tolerances.

Crystal & Dial

The WD1863 uses a boxed and domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Beneath it, a downward-sloping brushed rehaut introduces subtle depth before leading towards a black minute chapter ring framing the clean white dial.

The hour indices are elongated black batons with small luminous plots positioned towards their outer ends. Against the white background, the contrast is excellent, giving the dial a clear and highly legible appearance.

Three subdials follow the familiar chronograph arrangement. A 24-hour indicator sits at 3 o’clock, running seconds at 6, and a 60-minute chronograph counter at 9. Each uses finely printed black markings, maintaining clarity without introducing unnecessary visual complexity.

There is no date window, preserving the symmetry of the dial. Branding is restrained, with the Watchdives logo beneath 12 and Chronograph printed in red. This small colour accent complements the red tip of the central chronograph seconds hand.

The black-chrome hour and minute hands contain luminous sections, while the central chronograph hand features a luminous lollipop. After dark, the blue lume illuminates the hour plots and hands, providing good visibility without attempting to match the intensity expected of a dedicated dive watch.

Summary

The Watchdives WD1863 demonstrates how much difference careful case finishing can make to an otherwise familiar chronograph design. Its Speedmaster-inspired appearance is immediately recognisable, but the execution of the brushed surfaces, polished bevels and curved lugs gives the watch a more refined character than the basic design might initially suggest.

The Seiko VK63 remains one of the more enjoyable aspects of the package. Its smooth chronograph sweep and immediate reset provide a satisfying operating experience, while the clean white dial and contrasting black markers make the watch easy to read.

The bracelet is the main compromise. Although its finishing is attractive and articulation is excellent, the visible gaps between links reveal relatively loose construction tolerances. Thankfully, the substantial milled clasp is considerably better executed.

At approximately $150, with promotional pricing sometimes reaching $120, the WD1863 offers a well-finished case, sapphire crystal and enjoyable chronograph functionality. This sits within one of the most competitive price brackets in the current watch landscape.

For me, its strongest quality is the attention paid to the case architecture, which elevates a familiar design without fundamentally changing its character.

Watchdives WD1863 Specifications