Watchdives WD50Q Review – A Polished Take on a Familiar Diver Formula
The Watchdives WD50Q enters a crowded design space, drawing on a silhouette that has been interpreted by countless brands over the years. What sets this version apart is not reinvention, but execution—delivered at a price point that feels deliberate rather than compromised. Positioned around $100 before tax for the mineral crystal version and approximately $120 before tax for sapphire, the WD50Q leans into compact dimensions, assertive finishing, and a clear vintage-leaning identity. If you’re budgeting around the same amount, there are a few noteworthy options we’ve already covered.
At a glance, the watch promises strong fundamentals: stainless steel construction, confident bezel action, and a legible, character-driven dial. On the wrist, those promises are shaped by proportion, surface treatment, and mechanical feel. This is not a watch chasing minimalism or restraint, but one that embraces presence through polish, height, and visual texture.
Design & Case
The WD50Q is defined first by its proportions. The case measures 38 mm in diameter, 10.8 mm thick, with a 46 mm lug-to-lug and 20 mm lug width, placing it firmly in compact territory with clear vintage cues. The 5.9 mm crown feels well judged, offering usability without dominating the case profile.
What surprises most is the finishing. The case is fully polished, an unexpected choice given the watch’s tool-watch lineage. The polish is consistent and evenly applied, lending the case a more flamboyant presence than brushed or blasted alternatives. Visually, the height is emphasized by a tall midcase, but this is broken up by a narrow central flank, which helps manage vertical mass.
The lugs drop sharply away from the case, angling aggressively toward the wrist. Smooth bevels soften this descent, maintaining crisp definition without rounding off the design excessively. Drilled lugs reinforce the vintage character while also making strap changes quick and practical. The design language here will feel familiar to anyone drawn to diver watches with a comparable visual identity.
Movement & Crown
Powering the WD50Q is the Seiko VH31 quartz movement, a sweeping-seconds hybrid quartz caliber. According to the transcript, it carries an accuracy rating of ±20 seconds per month and requires a battery replacement approximately every three years.
The choice of movement aligns with the watch’s intent as a reliable, low-maintenance daily wearer. The smooth seconds sweep adds a mechanical-like visual cadence, while quartz operation keeps upkeep simple and predictable.
The 5.9 mm crown is proportionate and functional, contributing to the overall balance of the case. Its size supports easy handling without pulling attention away from the broader case geometry or polished surfaces.
Bezel
The bezel is one of the WD50Q’s most distinctive components. Visually, it is convex and raised, giving the watch a noticeably tall side profile. The bezel surface itself is sapphire crystal, combining durability with a glossy, high-definition appearance.
Grip comes from a notchy threading pattern, though it is confined primarily to the diagonal upper edge rather than wrapping fully around the bezel. Even so, the height and sharp machining make it easy to operate.
In use, the bezel action is loud and clearly audible, with a clicky, ratcheting sound. Rotation is on the lighter side but never loose. Once seated in a detent, there is no backplay, though there is a slight wobble within the detent and a forward spring tension that encourages the next click. Alignment at 12 is centered, and the white 60-minute scale is fully luminous, reinforcing its functional intent.
Strap
Instead of a bracelet, the WD50Q is supplied on a silicone rubber strap. In hand, the strap feels soft while still projecting durability. Flexibility is well judged, allowing the watch to sit comfortably without feeling overly elastic or flimsy.
The strap is fitted with quick-release spring bars, making removal and strap changes tool-free and straightforward. At the clasp end, a milled buckle finished in brushing keeps the look subdued and functional. The machining is clean and purposeful, matching the utilitarian tone of the watch overall.
The buckle is unsigned, which aligns with the no-frills approach, though the transcript notes this as a personal preference point given the price bracket rather than a functional shortcoming.
Crystal & Dial
The WD50Q uses a box sapphire crystal with a notably tall profile. From the side, its height is immediately apparent, and at sharper viewing angles, characteristic edge distortions become visible. An anti-reflective coating is present, though the distortion remains a defining feature rather than something disguised.
Beneath the crystal sits a blue sunburst dial that shifts from deep navy to brighter blue tones as light moves across its surface. A white printed minute chapter frames the dial cleanly, aiding legibility without clutter.
Hour markers combine applied Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 with triangle markers for the remaining hours. All are edged in silver chrome, standing out crisply against the blue background. There is no date window, preserving symmetry. Branding is restrained, with the Watchdives logo at 12 and “200 m” printed above 6. Lume is bright blue on hands, indices, and bezel, with even application and strong visibility in low light.
Summary
The Watchdives WD50Q delivers a compact, characterful diver that leans confidently into polished surfaces, pronounced crystal height, and assertive mechanical feedback. Its proportions place it squarely in vintage-inspired territory, while the fully polished case gives it a more expressive personality than many tool-focused alternatives.
With a sapphire bezel, luminous 60-minute scale, sweeping-seconds quartz movement, and 200 m water resistance, the WD50Q balances visual flair with practical capability. It won’t appeal to those seeking understatement, but for wearers drawn to bold finishing and compact dimensions, it offers a distinctive interpretation delivered at a carefully judged price point. If you’ve enjoyed this piece, you may also want to explore Watchdives’s broader lineup, particularly their other dive-focused releases.
Watchdives WD50Q Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Watchdives WD50Q |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Case Diameter | 38 mm |
| Case Thickness | 10.8 mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 46 mm |
| Lug Width | 20 mm |
| Crown | 5.9 mm |
| Crystal | Box sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Bezel | Convex sapphire bezel, luminous 60-minute scale |
| Bezel Action | Audible, light rotation, no backplay |
| Dial | Blue sunburst |
| Hour Markers | Applied Arabic numerals and triangles |
| Date | None |
| Movement | Seiko VH31 quartz |
| Accuracy | ±20 seconds per month |
| Battery Life | Approx. 3 years |
| Strap | Silicone rubber with quick-release |
| Buckle | Milled, brushed, unsigned |
| Water Resistance | 200 m |
| Price (as reviewed) | ~$100 (mineral) / ~$120 (sapphire), before tax |
