Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Accessible, Compelling, Go-Anywhere Traska Commuter Collection
Three case sizes and a host of dial colours highlight a refined, versatile series that emphasize the art of simplicity.
There’s certainly no shortage of simple, versatile watches that can hang at the beach and complement a suit within a 12-hour period. The legendary Rolex Oyster Perpetual and related models always come to mind, but Traska’s Commuter collection brings this stylish versatility in affordable packages. Offered in 34.5mm, 36.5mm and 38.5mm cases, there’s truly a watch for anyone looking for a “go anywhere, do anything” or “GADA” piece that won’t break the bank. Traska isn’t breaking new ground here, but that’s also the point. Comfort, reliability and simplicity never go out of style.
US-based Jon Mack founded Traska after ruining a prized 1966 Bulova Snorkel while swimming off the Vietnam coast. He wanted a watch that could handle the rigours of an active life, while also remaining vintage-inspired and timeless. After visiting many watchmakers around the world and developing ideas, he launched the Freediver dive watch on Kickstarter in 2018. It was fully funded within a few hours, and today, there are five distinctive Traska collections.
We’re focusing on the Commuter line, arguably the simplest, with multiple case sizes and dial options. It’s gone through three generations since 2020, slimming down a bit, gaining a no-date option and boxed sapphire crystal, and a redesigned case in 2023. We have the Sandstone Yellow 34, Slate Grey 36 (with date) and Arctic White 38 models on hand, but there are other colours available if these don’t resonate with you.
Sandstone Yellow 34
This is the smallest of the three, coming in at 34.5mm in diameter and 10.55mm in height (41.5mm lug-to-lug), with a brushed stainless steel case with polished chamfers. A proprietary scratch-resistant coating is applied to the case and bracelet, which is always appreciated. The semi-matte yellow dial is one of four colour options and provides a nice hue without being loud. Applied indices with a double index at 12 o’clock have Super-LumiNova BGW9, as do the hour and minute hands. This is seen on all models. The box-shaped sapphire crystal creates nice retro distortions to the crisp minute/seconds track at the perimeter. There’s an internal anti-reflective coating as well. A screw-down crown ensures 100 metres of water resistance, and the solid, screwed caseback is individually numbered. A three-link steel bracelet with a micro-adjusting deployant clasp comes standard.
Slate Grey 36
Measuring 36.5mm in diameter (44mm lug-to-lug), this falls in the middle of the pack and otherwise has the same look as the Sandstone Yellow 34. The steel bracelet is a bit wider at 20mm (over 19mm) but carries the same aesthetic. The dark grey dial is again one of four colour options, and it has a very nice sunburst finish with a contrasting white minute/seconds track at the perimeter. The 36.5mm watches also have the option for a date window at 6 o’clock, which our Slate Grey 36 model has with a slightly different movement than the others (more on that below). This makes the mid-sized Commuter a slightly more versatile package altogether and one that will please both date and no-date fans.
Arctic White 38
The largest model, which is still rather compact, has a 38.5mm case (46mm lug-to-lug), and the bracelet comes with a tool-free micro-adjusting deployant clasp with an internal push button. That’s not unique to the 38.5mm models, as the 36.5mm models now come with this as well (our 36.5mm review unit doesn’t have it). The Arctic White dial is lacquered with a black minute/seconds track, but everything else matches the rest of the collection. None of the watches are limited editions, but the Arctic White 38 is currently sold out. Other dial colour options are available, such as Mint Green, Carbon Black and Woodland Green.
Miyota power
All watches in the Commuter collection have Miyota’s 9039 automatic movements without a date complication, except for the 36.5mm date option that uses a Miyota 9019. Both have 24 jewels, beat at a rate of 28,800vph (4Hz) and come with a 42-hour power reserve, but the 9019 calibre also adds the date. Both are also based on Miyota’s 9015 automatic, a movement that can be found in a wide range of brands, such as Beaubleu, Awake, and Dan Henry. Accuracy is rated at -10/+30 seconds per day and these are part of Miyota’s Premium line of automatics.
Price and Availability
The Sandstone Yellow 34 retails for EUR 544.95, while the Slate Grey 36 (with date) is EUR 559.95 and the Arctic White 38 tops the range at EUR 596.95. The price doesn’t change with the date/no-date options. That makes this compelling range of ‘GADA’ watches quite accessible and prices are in line with what’s being offered. The Miyota calibres are every bit as reliable and accurate as comparable Swiss counterparts, just without that Swiss prestige. Although all models are currently being sold, some are sold out at the moment and thus have a “Notify Me When Available” option instead of “Add to Cart”.
For more information and to make a purchase, please visit traskawatch.com.
Sponsored post: This article is sponsored by Traska Watch. However, it reflects the writer’s opinion and has been written according to MONOCHROME’s editorial policy.
8 responses
I have the Commuter 36 (no date) and it’s probably my most worn watch. Simple, versatile, understated, goes with nearly any outfit. It ended my search for an everyday watch. It also has the most comfortable bracelet I’ve ever worn. The fully articulating links help it drape around your wrist. And the hardness coating is for real! I have a fairly active job and the watch gets banged on things every now and then, but it looks the same as the day I received it.
A poor’s man Rolex OP
I’d say a well-earning-and-comfortably-living-man-in-a-‘first-world’-country’s rolex OP.
Not being excessively rich to the point where you can spend a quarter of a normal living wage on a watch, doesn’t make you poor.
The OP comparison is fair, though.
At first glance, it resembles the OP. But it provides wider selection of colorways and a different look/feel than the OP (I have a 34mm OP and Traska – I love them both). On close inspection, the Traska has more of a tool-like look to it, toning down some of the curves and polished surfaces for a flatter/sharper, matte-r, look, while retaining some of that yester-year appeal with the cut of their crystal. But that hardening treatment is definitely keeping it looking fresh, whereas my OP looks well-worn.
The Traska is a great watch, but the OP has a level of objective glam (those hands and indices really do sparkle!) that Traska can’t match. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for Traska in the conversation :
If you can’t afford the OP, Traska is a great substitute at 1/10 the price. Truly GADA.
But even if you already have an OP and want an occasional twist without having to buy a second OP, then definitely go Traska.
Basically there’s always room for Traska!
Poor or rich is not a discussion I want to get into. I’ve been eyeing Traska for a while, but the stick hands and dial layout are too much of a Rolex hommage to peak my interest.
I own the 34mm Traska and OP. While they do look similar, the Traska has a more tool-ish appearance, with less polishing, fewer and less pronounced curves; the OP’s hands and indices are downright glitzy and luxurious. The Traska also gives you access to far more interesting colorways.
So the Traska is a great GADA if you can’t afford a Rolex.
But even if you already have an OP (or two …), getting a Traska lets you change it up a bit.
I do have a 34mm Aegean Blue on the way to me, but I have to say I’m a little disappointed that the 34mm Commuter is the ONLY WATCH in Traska’s lineup that doesn’t get the tool-less micro-adjustment clasp. I appreciate that they’ve made a 34mm at all, though, as a female with a small wrist. We don’t normally have much of a selection to choose from unless it’s diamond-spangled or MOP-dialed.
I got a Venturer GMT in the steel blue color a few months back, and it’s been great. Really my only complaints are with the bracelet, which feels a little cheaper than the rest of the watch. I would definitely recommend the brand though