North Edge Triton Review – Too Good To Be True? Solar Power and Stainless Steel for $45
The North Edge Triton presents an unusually aggressive spec sheet for a watch priced around $45 before tax. A solar-powered movement, a claimed 300 m water-resistance rating, a full stainless-steel case and bracelet, and a ceramic bezel insert appear on the listing, each of which you would expect to drive the price higher. The Triton doesn’t hide the compromises required to stay in this range, but it does attempt to offer a functional, hard-use diver style at a budget level.
Its design is unapologetically large and industrial, and the watch approaches the diver role more as a rugged instrument than as a refined piece of wristwear. We have many more diver watches for you to explore HERE.
North Edge Triton – Solar Powered 300m Diver
Design & Case
The Triton is a sizeable watch, measuring 46.2 mm in diameter, 15.8 mm thick, and 51.3 mm lug-to-lug . Despite the width, the lug span remains controlled, and on a flatter wrist the watch sits more comfortably than the dimensions suggest. Weight is substantial at over 185 g before sizing.
The case is fully brushed — no polish, no chamfering — reinforcing its tool-watch posture. The vertical brushing on the flanks and the severe downward angle of the lugs give the watch an almost architectural feel, with clearly separated layers between the midcase, the recessed bezel lip, and the screw-down caseback. The overall form is angular and rugged rather than sculpted or refined.
At 3 o’clock, a large 7.22 mm screw-in crown sits slightly recessed into the case wall. It is brushed, signed, and surrounded by tight machining. The crown interface appears more robust than typical at this price, and the threading feels well integrated.
Bezel
The bezel is one of the Triton’s more distinctive functional elements. It is a 60-click unidirectional bezel — immediately noticeable due to the wider spacing between detents. The action is tight and slightly cushioned, with broad, chunky engagement rather than crisp precision. There is no meaningful back-play, but there is forward flex between clicks, giving the motion a stretched or softened feel.
The grip is tall and blocky, resembling battlement-style teeth. It sits recessed within the case footprint, rather than protruding above it, a design that prevents accidental rotation but also gives the watch a fortress-like silhouette.
The insert is glossy ceramic with white printed markings, but it lacks a lume pip, limiting nighttime timing functionality — a noteworthy omission on a diver-style watch.
Bracelet & Clasp
The bracelet is proportionally large, measuring 24 mm at the lugs and tapering to 20 mm at the clasp. While the watch head is stainless steel, the bracelet construction shows its cost-cutting measures:
- The bracelet attaches directly to the spring bars with no solid block.
- Push-pin links — expected at this price.
- Pressed-steel double-pusher clasp — functional but basic, with no micro-adjustments and no applied branding.
Despite these shortcuts, the brushing is consistent across the links, and the overall visual cohesion with the case is intact. Articulation is straightforward, though not refined.
The screw-down caseback is held by four screws rather than a threaded screwback — a design that raises reasonable skepticism about the claimed 300 m water resistance, even if the watch may still offer meaningful practical sealing in everyday conditions. We have reviewed a number of other affordable dive watches, there are plenty to explore.
Movement
North Edge does not identify the movement officially, but the most plausible match — based on charging behavior, reserve duration, and known OEM usage — is the Epson VS42 solar quartz .
This movement is rated to approximately ±20 seconds per month, with a six-month power reserve when fully charged. The rechargeable manganese-titanium lithium capacitor stores energy rather than using a disposable battery.
- Approximate charging expectations:
- Direct sunlight: ~6 hours
- Cloudy outdoor light: ~20 hours
- Indoor light: 60–100 hours, depending on intensity
In practice, occasional daylight exposure keeps the watch topped up without active management.
Crystal & Dial
The dial sits beneath a mineral crystal (sapphire is not present at this price point). A brushed steel rehaut frames the chapter ring, which is printed in white against a matte navy outer ring. The central dial carries a sunburst finish with wave-textured motifs, reinforcing the watch’s diver theme.
Indices are applied and chrome-edged: circular markers for the majority of hours, elongated batons at 3, 6, and 9, and a double baton at 12. The handset consists of broad, lume-filled sword hands, along with a chrome seconds hand with a red-tipped, lume-filled lollipop.
Branding is kept to the essentials — “North Edge” under 12 and the “Triton” designation above 6 — alongside the printed 300 m claim.
Lume
Lume performance is a relative strength. The lume on the hands, indices, and seconds-hand lollipop is bright, even, and immediately legible in low light. Application appears consistent across all marked elements. However, the absence of a lumed bezel pip limits nighttime timing function.
Summary
The North Edge Triton is a watch built around sheer physicality and a spec sheet that pushes the expectations of its price bracket. Its size, brushed surfaces, recessed bezel, and heavy bracelet present it firmly as a tool-first diver style, and the solar quartz movement introduces genuine practicality for users who prefer a maintenance-free experience.
The compromises are clear: a pressed clasp, hollow end links, a 60-click bezel with softened engagement, and a water-resistance claim that warrants caution given the caseback design. Still, for buyers seeking an oversized, rugged, solar-powered watch with a coherent tool aesthetic, the Triton offers an unusually substantial package for under $50. If you’re into the serious divers you may want to check out the Watchdives WD5513 review.
North Edge Triton Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | North Edge Triton |
| Case Diameter | 46.2 mm |
| Thickness | 15.8 mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 51.3 mm |
| Lug Width | 24 mm (tapers to 20 mm) |
| Weight | 185 g+ (unsized) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel, full brushed |
| Crown | 7.22 mm screw-in, signed |
| Bezel | 60-click unidirectional, recessed, ceramic insert |
| Crystal | Mineral |
| Movement | Epson VS42 solar quartz (most likely), ±20 s/mo, ~6-month reserve |
| Dial | Navy outer ring, sunburst/wave-textured center, applied indices |
| Lume | Green lume on hands, indices, and seconds lollipop |
| Bracelet | Stainless steel, hollow end links, push pins |
| Clasp | Pressed-metal double-pusher, no micro-adjustment |
| Caseback | Screw-down (four screws) |
| Water Resistance | Claimed 300 m |
| Approx. Price | ~$45 (ex. tax) |
