*REVIEW* Traska Summiteer 36mm V5 (TLDR; It's a great watch 4.6/5 overall)

I've been aware of the micro brand Traska for a couple years now but it wasn't until April of last year that I actually saw one 'in the metal' for the first time. Over the previous couple of months my eyes had been wandering towards 369 dial watches more and more. This is how it will often happen for me. A particular type of watch that I had not previously paid much attention to will wiggle it's way into my subconscious and start working its way into whatever part of my brain my watch obsession lives in (I would rather not know as my wife may have it removed). So thought becoming action, and after a bit of research of course, I picked up a used 38mm V3 Summiteer.

"But Todd, I thought you were reviewing the 36mm V5?". Well my fellow watch nerd, you are correct! Upon receiving said 38mm Summiteer 2 things happened.

1. I quickly discovered what a great watch it was

2. I became obsessed with swapping it for a 36mm with the new lume block indices

So thats what I did and this is my review!

(I apologize if it's too long, it's my first time lol)

WEARABILITY

This watch is arguably one of the most comfortable watches I have ever worn on a bracelet. At 36mm x 44mm x 10.6mm including the box dome sapphire crystal it is perfectly proportioned for my 6.5" wrist and would be suitable for up to 7" easily. Above that I would be tempted to go with the 38mm case it is is still compact. The bracket has female end links do the first male link articulates meaning there is no overhang lengthinf the lug to lug. The full articulated bracelet is a joy to wear and honestly makes it difficult to swap onto a leather strap despite how versatile this watch is. It has a milled clasp with on the fly micro adjust so no issue getting and maintaining a perfect fit all day long.

5/5

DESIGN

It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to deduce what the inspiration is for the design, and I use the word inspiration intentionally as this is not trying to be a replica. No one who knows what they are looking at is going to mistake this for a Rolex. What it is, is a very well designed and built GADA Field watch that will imo scratch that Explorer design itch. I won't go over the dimensions again as I listed them above. In the last couple of years John and his team have made some significant changes to the case design, sapphire, and most significantly the dial. From V3 to V4 the case profile was slimmed down from 11.2mm to 10.55 mm by changing the way the crystal was seated intro to the case, the indices went from printed to hand applied markers made from super luminova, and the sides of the case went from brushed to polished. V5 sees only a couple tweeks with tighter tolerances for the end links and a crown that decouples. This latest interation shows Traska's commitment to design and continual approvement. Added to all the great design notes is Traska's hardening treatment that increasea the hardness rating from 200HV to 1,200HV and believe when I say, it's effective. The case as mentioned above has polished sides, leading up to a narrow polished chamfer. The top of the vertically brushes blending with the end link. The bezel switches it up slightly with a subtle radial brushing with a polished chamfer drawing the eye to beautiful double box sapphire crystal. It has screw down signed coin edge crown giving the Summiteer 100m water resistance. The lugs are drilled allowing for easy strap changes and that 3 fulling articulating bracelet is a pleasure on the wrist. For V4 the clasp with on the fly micro adjust became standard and is well designed.

The only design criticism I have is that I believe they should have kept the sides of the case brushed with that polished chamfer on the transition as it was previous to the 4th version as it better suited the look of the watch and made that chamfer stand out, but that's just personal opinion.

4/5

QUALITY

From the blocked lume indices, to the stepped dial, to the adjust on the fly clasp, and the hardening treatment this watch makes a strong arguent for being the best quality one can get from a sub $700USD watch. While I have heard of recent QC issues that has not been my experience with either of the 2 versions I have owned and it has been my understanding that Traska has resolved any issues others have experienced. One disappointment is the sterile case back. While doing something unique could potentiay push the price up a bit, I think it's a missed opportunity to bring a bit more personality to an otherwise subtle and somewhat serious looking watch.

4/5

DIAL

Starting from the outside in, the dial has a minute track on the outer edge which is perfectly placed so that when viewed directly through the double dome box sapphire there is zero distortion. The indices are carved from blocks of super luminova with a classic 369 design, with thin rectangular blocks at remaining hours except for the 12 position which of course has the classic arrow. The dial is stepped down at the center right where the thin block indices end, with the painted Traska name and logo placed above center and "AUTOMATIC" below in a very small script. It is simple, legible, and well thought out without being boring. The raised indices along with the embossed center give the dial a depth that is easily overlooked at first glance. The Summiteer is available in the Charcoal Black I have as well as Midnight Blue, Sage Green, and new this version, Oxblood Red. Finishing the look it has a sword hour hand, fence post minute hand, and arrow second hand that reaches all the way to that second track. They are diamond cut with BGW9 Super Luminova on the hour and minute hands and arrowhead of the second hand on all models, except for the Sage Green's second hand which is orange. Speaking of which, the lume is some of the best I have experienced on a field style watch with those indices cut from lume. It's not Seiko level, but it's no slouch. Again a personal opinion, the dial on the 38 and the 36 are identical but the slightly more compact 36 leaves less open space on the dial without feeling cluttered and is just that much more pleasing to my eye.

5/5

MOVEMENT

The Summiteer is powered by the super slim Miyota 9039 Automatic no-date movement running at 28,800 beats per second giving the second hand a pleasant sweep. It is a 24 jewel movement with a 42 hour power reserve and is regulated in 4 positions by Traska to run at -10/+20 per day exceeding Miyotas out of the box specifications. It is a solid and reliable movement that should easily be serviced by any good watchmaker. While the exclusion of the date may be a deal killer for some, I appreciate having at least one automatic in my collection that I don't need to set the date on and the aesthetic is considered by some to be more true to form for what a field watch was intended to be. It may not be pretty but it is perfect for this watch at this price.

5/5