Poedagar 690 Hands-On Review – Diver Styling for $15 Done Right

A homage to a homage — that’s the quirky identity of the Poedagar 690. This is a budget reinterpretation of the Pagani Design Italian diver homage, which itself referenced a legendary military timepiece from mid-century Italy. But where the Pagani was stainless steel with sapphire and automatic movement, Poedagar has stripped the concept down to essentials — and the result is surprisingly fun.

For about $15 before tax, the Poedagar 690 delivers a functional rotating bezel, small seconds and 24-hour subdials, date display, and bright lume, all packed in a design that looks and feels far more premium than its alloy construction suggests. It’s an unapologetically budget-friendly experiment that succeeds by focusing on visual depth, texture, and execution.

Design & Case

The case immediately sets the tone — 42 mm in diameter, 13 mm thick, with a 49 mm lug-to-lug and 22 mm lug width. The silhouette takes clear inspiration from Italian diver shapes: squared cushion geometry with a gentle drop-off at each corner, creating curves instead of slab sides. The result is compact, muscular, and visually balanced. The Poedagar 682 follows a more reserved approach to case silhouette, read More..

Despite being made from alloy, the horizontally brushed finish is surprisingly convincing. The texture mimics stainless steel’s industrial grain, and the surface transitions between flank and bezel are clean, smooth, and well-defined. There’s no giveaway shine or softness — it feels sturdier than expected at this price point.

Viewed from the side, the midcase has a distinct U-shaped contour, with crisp lines defining the upper case and lugs. The 7.2 mm signed push-pull crown is neatly tucked between elongated integrated crown guards, offering real grip and polished contrast on its tip. Even the crown cap bears the Poedagar crest — a small but satisfying nod to detail.

Movement & Crown

Inside beats a Chinese quartz movement driving hour, minute, and running seconds on a subdial at 9 o’clock. A second subdial at 3 o’clock functions as a 24-hour indicator, mimicking the design language of the Pagani model it references.

The date window at 6 o’clock integrates cleanly into the layout, balancing the dial symmetry. The setting action is smooth but light — typical of inexpensive quartz calibers. There’s slight hand wobble on reinsertion, but it’s minor and doesn’t affect operation.

Bezel

At this price, the 690’s bezel is genuinely impressive. It’s fully functional, 60-click unidirectional, and tactilely engaging. The action is firm and ratchety, with just the right amount of spring between detents. While you can “float” slightly between clicks — a quirk of low-count bezels — there’s no back-play, and it holds position with confidence.

The sound is metallic and mechanical, delivering a surprisingly premium “vault-lock” feel. The bezel top is polished rather than brushed, as the online photos suggest, which adds another layer of dimensionality.
Even more surprising: four luminous pips — at 0, 5, 10, and 15 — are built into the raised pip markers. For a $15 diver, this level of finishing and functionality borders on absurdly good.

Strap & Clasp

The two-piece nylon strap is equally well done. It’s gradient dyed — fading from light blue in the center to darker blue at the edges — and stitched tonally for consistency. The fabric feels more like heavy canvas than thin nylon, with dual-layer construction that adds comfort and toughness.

Hardware continues the premium illusion: a brushed stainless-steel buckle, boldly signed with the Poedagar logo, ties the look together. Between the signed buckle and signed crown, Poedagar puts to shame many watches costing ten times as much.

Crystal & Dial

The slightly domed Hardlex crystal gives a subtle vintage distortion at the edges while offering good scratch resistance. It adds warmth and character to the design without sacrificing clarity.

Underneath sits a matte navy-blue dial — minimalist, symmetrical, and balanced. There’s no printed minute track, which allows the eye to focus entirely on the applied elements: circular chrome-framed indices at most hours, a double baton at 12, and a cutout date window at 6.

The recessed subdials at 3 and 9 add depth and visual intrigue. The 24-hour indicator at 3 and running seconds at 9 create a subtle “instrument cluster” effect. It’s a surprisingly dynamic layout that feels far more premium than its price suggests.

Lume

Lume is the 690’s secret weapon. The hands, hour markers, and bezel pips glow brightly and evenly — genuinely rivaling watches costing $60–$100. It’s consistent, well-applied, and long-lasting for a budget piece. Even compared to models like the Pagani Design PD1767, the 690’s lume holds its own — an astonishing achievement at this price point.

Caseback & Water Resistance

The snap-on caseback is basic but well-finished, etched with the brand name and watch specs. Water resistance is minimal — splash-resistant only — so while it looks the part of a dive watch, it’s best treated as a casual daily beater.

Summary

The Poedagar 690 is a $15 quartz watch that doesn’t just look expensive — it feels like it should cost five times more. The functional rotating bezel, luminous accents, polished-brushed finishing, and dual subdials make it one of the most interesting ultra-budget watches of 2025.
Yes, it’s alloy, and no, it’s not waterproof. But the design quality, tactile satisfaction, and lume execution make this a genuinely fun, practical, and collectible piece in the world of sub-$20 watches.

Specifications Table