With the brushed underside of the applied indices, the brushed hands, and the contrasting green lume strips on both, legibility is pristine. Even with the domed sapphire crystal distorting the edges of the dial (a cool aesthetic), I never struggled to tell the time day or night. The lume was crisp and long lasting and even the red-tipped lollipop seconds hand was easy to pick out at a glance. The date window matched the dial, a rare find in a watch at this price, and text is minimally reserved to Spinnaker’s logo, and a small, non-intrusive “Automatic 500FT / 150M” at 6 o’ clock. Overall, the dial feels like it would be in a much more expensive price bracket than it is.

Spinnaker Bradner Movement

Inside the Spinnaker Bradner is the 3-hand NH35 movement – a tested automatic that is formidable – though it’s hard to complain when it’s in a watch that is less than $300. The movement features 24 jewels, a power reserve of 41 hours, and beats at 3Hz.

The movement is visible through a sapphire caseback. The first thing you’ll notice is the matte black finished, Spinnaker branded rotor. I found it charming, and even though the movement itself isn’t really decorated, spare some brushed bits, the rotor adds a bit of character. Since the watch is rated to 150m, many would expect to find a solid case-back, so I found the visible movement to be an added bonus, even if it isn’t the most beautiful part to look at.

The Strap & Wearability

Tying the watch together is a “waterproof” leather strap. I need to give Spinnaker credit where it is due here, as they’ve stepped up their strap game tenfold since they first got started. I have, and still own a number of Spinnaker watches and the difference in straps on this model versus some of the older models I’ve owned is obvious and welcome. The strap is soft and comfortable, not irritating, and features a full-length belly lining. There is no contrasting or irritating stitching save for the bit near the lugs and clasp, giving a clean presentation that is also superbly comfortable. The sealant along the edge feels like an extension of the leather instead of tacked on before it goes out the door.

One note on the strap, and it could have been that I didn’t have a production model, but it seemed like the spring bar was ill-fitted at the lugs and that caused a grinding or clicking when bending my wrist and adding pressure to the strap. It looked like the holes containing the spring bar were too large for the hardware and while it didn’t make the watch uncomfortable in any way, it was noisy.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’m excited to see how far Spinnaker has come since it started. The designs have gotten much more streamlined and it’s easy to see a common “Spinnaker” DNA throughout the watches. While the brand has always had some quirky vibes, the designs felt all over the board early on with the logo being the only noticeable similarities between the produced models – a common theme with new brands. I’ve been impressed with the latest few releases from them, but I do feel that the Bradner is a culmination of a lot of things the brand has been doing well lately.

In fact, I would argue that the price makes it a lot easier to forgive some of the gripes I had with the watch. If you haven’t noticed, affordability has been a common theme in my opinion of this watch, and what I consider one of Spinnaker’s greatest strengths. Getting a domed sapphire crystal, a unique design and function, a 150m depth rating, and an automatic movement is a great value proposition in and of itself. Getting it all without cutting corners and looking cheap? That’s a harder feat. I would suggest the Spinnaker Vintage Bradner to anyone who’s looking for a modern diver with some vintage flair. The watch comes in 5 different designs, with different strap options. The model reviewed is the SP-5057-03. Price for the Spinnaker Vintage Bradner is $285. spinnaker-watches.com

Necessary Data
>Brand: Spinnaker
>Model: Vintage Bradner
>Price: $285 USD
>Size: 42mm x 14mm
>When reviewer would personally wear it: Yes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: The enthusiast looking for a first automatic watch, who doesn’t want something that looks like what everyone else is wearing.
>Best characteristic of watch: The inner-bezel is simply a joy to look at and use.
>Worst characteristic of watch: The design around the bezel and dial seems mismatched.