Hruodland F025 Review – Vintage Style NH35 Automatic Diver

The Hruodland F025 is a heavily vintage-inspired diver that takes clear direction from the Omega Seamaster 300, but what matters here is not just the reference point. At around $130, it delivers a convincing retro dive-watch experience with a stainless steel case, NH35 automatic movement, ceramic bezel insert, suede leather strap, screw-in crown, screw-down caseback, and 200 meters of water resistance. Anyone considering spending around this amount, $100 – $200, should take the time to compare a few closely matched alternatives.

It is not a perfect watch, and the mineral crystal is the obvious compromise. But the case refinement, bezel action, dial execution, lume performance, and overall character make this one of the more convincing retro diver homages I have handled at this price.

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Design & Case

The Hruodland F025 measures 41.7mm in diameter, 48.2mm lug-to-lug, 12.9mm thick, and uses a 20mm lug width. On the suede strap, the watch weighs around 80g, which keeps it comfortable and easy to wear despite the broad vintage diver profile.

From the side, the case has a layered sandwich-like structure. You can see the caseback lip, the arching brushed flank, the twisting lugs, and the upper bezel layer all working together as distinct sections.

The brushing is practical and should help disguise wear and hairlines, while the polished chamfers around the case midpoint and lug hoods add a more refined visual break. At the lug fall-off points, the polished surfaces widen and create more light play across the case.

The lugs twist outward in that vintage Omega-style manner, giving the watch a more sculptural shape. It feels retro without being crude, and the case has more refinement than the price initially suggests. The case architecture and dial treatment place this within a recognizable family of diver watch designs.

Movement & Crown

Inside the Hruodland F025 is the Seiko NH35 self-winding automatic movement. It has 24 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, and beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour.

That 3Hz beat rate gives the seconds hand six pulses per second, creating the familiar smooth sweep associated with the NH35. It is a widely used Japanese automatic movement, and it fits the practical, budget-friendly character of the watch.

The crown measures 6.3mm across and screws in. It is semi-guarded by the case flank, with a cutout around 2mm deep helping it sit more neatly into the side profile.

That integration matters visually. The crown does not simply protrude awkwardly from the side of the watch. It feels tucked into the flank, keeping the case lean and more cohesive.

The screw-in crown works with the screw-down caseback to support the 200-meter water resistance. Despite the “300” in the original Sharkmaster naming, this is a 200-meter-rated watch. Collectors already familiar with Hruodland watches may notice recurring themes throughout this watch.

Bezel

The bezel is one of the strongest parts of the Hruodland F025. It appears to sit on top of a pedestal rather than directly on the main case body, and that gives the watch an intriguing layered look from the side.

That design is also practical. The notched vertical threading is separated clearly from the case, so getting hold of the bezel is easy. You are not fighting the case flank or struggling for purchase.

The bezel is a 120-click unidirectional setup with a ceramic insert. The action has consistent resistance across the full rotation cycle, which helps it feel reliable and controlled in use.

There is no backplay between clicks, so each adjustment feels decisive and secure. The click sound is distinct and ratchety, giving the bezel a more premium tactile and acoustic character than I expected at this price.

The insert is also lumed, which becomes an important part of the watch’s night profile. Combined with the dial lume, the bezel adds real low-light functionality rather than serving only as a daylight design feature.

Strap

The Hruodland F025 comes on a chocolate brown suede leather strap, and it feels like a deliberate design choice rather than an afterthought. The warm caramel-brown tone works naturally with the dial and reinforces the vintage character of the watch.

The suede texture is especially fitting here. It has that soft, velvety tactility that suits the retro diver aesthetic and gives the watch a warmer feel than a bracelet would.

The strap makes the watch look at home in its current configuration, but the 20mm lug width also leaves room for easy experimentation. A nylon strap would be an interesting alternative, especially with patterns or colors that play into the vintage dive-watch look.

On wrist, the watch wears comfortably because the case remains controlled at 12.9mm thick and 48.2mm lug-to-lug. The 80g weight on strap also helps keep the F025 from feeling overly heavy.

Flip the watch over and the screw-down caseback carries the logo and specifications engraved into the rear. If this kind of versatile diver is on your shortlist, our Comparison Tool helps you place comparable watches side by side and see how their specifications differ before deciding.

Crystal & Dial

The main compromise is the crystal. The Hruodland F025 uses mineral crystal rather than sapphire, and that is disappointing at around $130. The boxy domed profile looks good and supports the retro style, but because it protrudes above the bezel, it is also the first point likely to meet knocks and bumps.

Under that crystal is the real visual reward. The dial has a chocolate brown tone with a crystal-like pattern that creates interesting reflections and a subtle 3D effect. It reminds me of a tiger-eye style colorway, with warmth and depth moving across the surface.

The minute track is printed in white around the periphery, with longer orangey-beige markers for the hours. The 3, 6, 9, and 12 positions use vintage-style white numerals, matching the minute track and keeping the dial balanced.

The sword hands are chrome-edged, adding contrast against the brown dial. Nothing feels out of place here. The dial is cohesive, warm, and very well judged.

The lume is excellent. It uses a mix of blue and green, with dual-level lume across both dial and bezel elements. It is bright, long-lasting, and remains visible through the night.

Summary

The Hruodland F025 has one major drawback, and that is the mineral crystal. At this price, I would have preferred sapphire, especially because the crystal sits proud of the bezel.

The strengths are substantial. The case refinement is strong, the suede strap suits the design, the NH35 movement is dependable, the bezel action is excellent, and the lume is genuinely impressive.

At around $130, this is a very convincing retro diver with real character. The F025 is not just relying on the familiar shape; it earns its appeal through finishing, tactile feel, dial execution, and night-time performance.

Hruodland F025 Specifications