Millar Watches Scuba V3
Millar Watches Scuba V3 Specifications
Key Takeaways
Let’s get the most important stuff out of the way first:
The V3 is a marked improvement over the V1 I had the chance to preview back in January of this year. So much so that it looks quite frankly like a different timepiece. Well, maybe not a “different” timepiece but a much more refined one.
And that’s the thing here. The V3 is refined. The bead blasted case and bracelet that combines matte and brushed finishes define the overall look of the V3.
Now, this is saying something. Why? Well, the blue bezel insert and dial draw your eyes where they should go: to them, but the case and bracelet frame the nice pop of “littoral” blue from the dial and bezel.
“Millar Watches doesn’t call the blue “littoral,” but I am. You’ll know why if you’ve ever been in the littorals. Google it. ”
With the V1, the case and bracelet polishing detracted from the dial and bezel because the polishing outshined everything.
That is not the case with the V3.
The finishing on the V3 could also take on anything you’re willing to throw at it. That was not the case with the V1.
I recommend the V3 to anyone who works in a tough field, especially in a maritime environment. The finishing rounds out a capable timepiece and allows it to take some damage without ruining the overall aesthetic of the timepiece.
Impressions
Movement
The Sellita SW200-1 is a dependable movement and provides all the characteristics listed in the specifications table. The SW200-1 is an improvement over the older SW200 and eliminates the teeth problems associated with the SW200.
A 38-hour power reserve is plenty, especially with this bead blasted and brushed finishing. I know they have nothing to do with each other, but the finishing is so good I can see the V3 being an everyday watch, especially in the black or blue colorways.
Case, Bracelet, and Clasp
The case is comfortable and fits nicely on my 7 ½” (19.05cm) wrist. I didn’t even need to size the V3 when it arrived for preview with the milled quick-adjust clasp.
Why don’t more brands, especially larger ones, provide these on their dive watches? It was such a pleasant surprise to be able to wear the V3 right out of the box.
“20mm=strap monster”
Packaging
Millar Watches gives you a plain old box because they provide you a pebbled leather, three-cushion watch roll! The stitching is smart, and the suede-lined interior will keep your timepieces nice and safe. It's always nice when a company puts some money into packaging that you can use vice a box you’re going to toss in the closet.
Water Resistance
The overall capability of the V3, is locked in with purpose. It’s a dive watch in the purest sense. With a 300m water resistance and a screw-down crown (more on that in a second), it can go on all your watery adventures.
Back to the crown: improved. Seriously improved.
The crown was increased to 7mm from 6mm, and Millar Watches redesigned the crown with a knurled texture. This size and texture change made the crown so much easier to operate. I appreciate these changes as I have a damaged right hand, and the V1 was almost impossible to operate. No longer with the V3.
The crown is nicely engraved with the “MW” Millar Watches logo, and I almost forgot to mention it. That’s how happy I am about the size increase and the knurling.
Lume
As far as the lume goes-I’ll just leave these here:
The C3 Superluminova on the hour track and hands, and BGW9 on the minute hand and bezel light up the night sky.
Serious lume.
Dial
Everything works on the dial too. It’s clean, highly visible, and symmetric. The concentric circles ringing the indexes are a nice touch that adds a little texture to break up the dial. The framed date wheel at 6 o’clock matches the framed indexes and keeps the alignment of the dial.
The skeleton-sword, lume-tipped hands work well and allow the blue of the dial to remain a backdrop for the dial.
I am previewing the blue version, but there are also other colorways in black (the first Kickstarter release), red and green.
Bezel
It’s 120 click mono-directional and has a satisfying action. The ceramic bezel insert w/ lume
Is clean, legible, and pulls the whole look of the watch together. Solid bezel all around.
Final Thoughts
As a retired military member, the very first thing I notice on a timepiece is the finish. I naturally pull away from anything too polished. The only polished watch I own is a Seiko dress watch, and I only wear that when I have to wear a suit.
When I initially reviewed the V1 Scuba, I was immediately critical of the polishing across the entire timepiece. I knew it wouldn’t allow me to recommend the timepiece to any of my friends or military followers; it was a shame because I could tell the V1 Scuba had potential.
The polishing just wouldn’t hold up in that line of work.
With the V3, all of that has changed. The bead blasted case, and additional brushing changes the entire “feel” of the V3 and finally match its interior ability.
I have no problem recommending this to anyone who currently serves or is employed in a demanding field. The finishing of the V3 can handle what you dish out. I have no doubt.
I do have some recommendations going forward. When a timepiece crests the $500 wave, I like to see an additional strap option included. This might be an option, but I couldn’t tell via the Kickstarter page. No biggie. I also think the “5” on the bezel should’ve been a “05,” but that’s subjective.
All things considered, the Millar Watches Scuba V3 is an excellent timepiece and a value at $607.00 (&499) on the Millar Watches website.
They can also be found on Kickstarter on August 1, 2022. All backers of the Kickstarter will get 20% discount on the Scuba V3, with the first ten backers of each color receiving a 25% discount.
I appreciate what Millar Watches has created in the V3 Scuba, and I look forward to future releases from them!
“Millar Watches provided this watch for review, and I have since sent it on to the next reviewer. Millar Watches did not have any say in the preview, and I maintained complete editorial control.”
