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In a fast-paced world, sluggish and regular progress shouldn’t be typically the chosen progress path for small watch manufacturers. Nevertheless, Traska has chosen this path and, consequently, has cultivated a passionate and devoted following that loves the model and its technique. I’ve been keeping track of Traska over the previous couple of years and have change into more and more interested by its choices. So after I heard concerning the newest iteration of its well-liked Commuter collection, I jumped on the alternative to evaluate the Commuter 38 Adriatic Blue. After carrying the look ahead to a number of weeks, I can already reveal that it has change into considered one of my favourite experiences with any watch this yr. Let me elaborate on that.
Once I first took discover of Traska, the Venturer significantly charmed me. As I’m a fan of GMT watches, it suits my go-to watch fashion. Nevertheless, I rapidly discovered that the Floridian model had cleverly constructed a set with a sexy aesthetic that connects the completely different fashions. Hardly ever does a model stick steadfastly to a transparent design imaginative and prescient and apply it to all its fashions. In case you browse Traska’s present assortment, you will notice that its 5 base fashions all have the identical case silhouette and bracelet. With that as a strong canvas, the model then creates the completely different fashions based mostly on performance and a selected really feel. This has resulted in a various assortment of watches that every one immediately show the Traska design signature.
The story of the Traska Commuter 38
However that’s solely half the story as a result of the staff at Traska additionally steadily improves the performance and high quality of its releases with out considerably elevating the costs. This has gained the model many loyal followers, and even with out having frolicked with considered one of Traska’s watches till lately, I used to be already considered one of them. But it surely’s not that we haven’t coated Traska. Vincent has repeatedly waxed poetic concerning the model, together with a profile highlighting its varied outstanding achievements. He additionally wrote about my preliminary favourite, the Venturer GMT, and the Commuter collection I’ll give attention to in a minute.
What I really like is that this younger model takes a constant strategy and retains optimizing its choices with out feeling the necessity to change them drastically. Whereas it is a acquainted technique, not too many watch manufacturers have utilized it efficiently over time. Nonetheless, the one which has change into well-known for it occurs to be probably the most well-known watch model on the earth, so we are able to’t deny that it really works. As Traska was based in 2018, we nonetheless have to search out out whether or not it will work long-term, however I salute the model and its administration for sticking to this path.
An ideal instance of this regular strategy is the Commuter collection. The Commuter 36 debuted in 2021 as a terrific day by day watch. In late 2023, Traska determined to broaden the gathering with the Commuter 34 and the Commuter 38. On high of that, the model has launched new dials with each drop, together with ones in several colours and with completely different finishes, from sunburst to semi-matte and full gloss. With this enlargement, there’s a Commuter for all wrist sizes and tastes.
The Traska Commuter 38 Adriatic Blue
I had an opportunity to check out the Adriatic Blue model of the most important mannequin. It’s considered one of 4 at the moment accessible Commuter 38 variations. The opposite three are the Oxblood Pink, Sterling Silver, and Slate Black. Moreover dial shade, one other alternative you should make when deciding on any Commuter mannequin is whether or not you desire a date window at 6 o’clock. For the evaluate, I requested the dateless model as a result of I used to be intrigued by its clear aesthetic.
However let’s first talk about specs. The Commuter 38 has a 38.5mm chrome steel case with a 46mm lug-to-lug and a ten.5mm profile. It’s a fantastically proportioned, good, and slim case with a branded screw-down crown. But it surely will get even higher whenever you understand that with out the box-style double-domed sapphire crystal, the case is simply 8.75mm thick, which is kind of outstanding. This offers it a lovely, slim match that’s an absolute pleasure on the wrist. However we’ll get to that later.
The case has a brushed end with polished chamfers and flanks. It’s topped with a radially brushed bezel with a refined chamfer. The ending is fantastically performed and provides these little hints of visible brilliance that make it a pleasure to behold. Notably, you’ll be able to see a sublime stack of polished surfaces the place the case band’s polished chamfer joins that of the bezel.
A implausible bracelet and a scratch-resistant coating
The watch comes full with a 20mm-wide three-row Oyster-style bracelet with a lovely 4mm taper to the clasp and quick-release spring bars. The totally articulated hyperlinks assist you to stack them, which is a playful testomony to the bracelet’s unimaginable flexibility. The bracelet makes use of single-headed screw pins and a clasp with push-button launch and a lovely perlage end on the folding arms for further visible brilliance. This clasp additionally comes geared up with an excellent toolless six-step micro-adjustment system.
Merely push the button down, and you’ll dimension the watch completely. That is one of the best of the numerous toolless micro-adjustment programs I’ve seen from smaller manufacturers. The intelligent factor is that the metal finish piece of the bracelet that comes out upon extending the bracelet is simply as extensive because the bracelet itself. We don’t see that usually, and it’s so satisfying to see an extension of the bracelet fairly than a smaller piece of metal come out whenever you dimension it.
One more reason to spotlight the bracelet earlier than the dial is that each it and the case are handled with a scratch-resistant coating. We’ve seen different manufacturers apply this, like RZE and VPC, and it really works miracles. After a strong two weeks of carrying the Commuter, nonetheless seeing a pristine brushed clasp with the model’s emblem is an absolute pleasure. As your potential day by day driver, the Commuter reassures you that you just don’t must be afraid of scratches.
The appears of the Traska Commuter 38 Adriatic Blue
Let’s transfer on to the dial and the general aesthetic. It’s arduous to disclaim that the Commuter collection has sturdy Rolex Oyster Perpetual vibes, however that doesn’t trouble me one bit. I really like the Oyster Perpetual so much, and in a world of spinoff designs, I admire a well-balanced one taking inspiration from a watch that I am keen on.
The dial design is simple however fashionable. It includes a full set of utilized baton markers full of white Tremendous-LumiNova. On the dial’s perimeter, you can find the open minute observe with barely bigger markers for each 5 minutes. The diamond-cut baton-style arms match the fashion of the indexes and likewise function white Tremendous-LumiNova, which lights up blue in darker situations.
The Adriatic Blue dial is an excellent shade of grayish blue with a properly refined sunray sample. Its true magnificence solely reveals itself totally in broad daylight. I’m very choosy in terms of blue and inexperienced dials, however I really like this shade of blue. The brand and model title grace the dial on the higher half, and the phrase “computerized” does so on the decrease half.
The latter refers back to the Miyota caliber 9039 that powers the watch. It operates at 28,800vph and has a 42-hour energy reserve. The caliber is a part of Miyota’s premium choices, and after Traska regulates it in 4 positions, it gives an accuracy of -10/+20 seconds per day. The selection of motion performs a giant half in retaining the costs inexpensive. On high of that, the 9000 collection has confirmed to be a really dependable collection of calibers for a lot of small manufacturers.
Sporting the Traska Commuter 38 Adriatic Blue
After carrying the Commuter 38 for a few weeks, I’m nothing in need of blown away by what Traska has achieved with this providing. Due to its slim profile, extremely comfy bracelet, and engaging appears, the watch wears like a dream. Even with a busy schedule full of various watches, I discover myself going again to the Commuter 38 on a regular basis. If you’re always altering watches like we do at Fratello, you not often discover a watch you connect with past a frantic ongoing change of timepieces. However I discovered love for a terrific day by day watch with this Traska Commuter 38, particularly contemplating its value of US$670 (roughly €575).
For that cash, there isn’t a higher watch. It really is that easy. The watch wears nice and feels sturdy and effectively made. Add the intricate ending and nice eye for each single element, and the Commuter 38 may simply be double the value and nonetheless be value it. With the numerous watches we get within the workplace for evaluate, it turns into more and more tougher for manufacturers to impress us. However when a watch is executed in addition to the Traska Commuter 38, it stands out instantly.
Last ideas on the Traska Commuter 38
This brings us again to Traska’s total strategy. Creating watches with the clear aim of steadily enhancing them works extremely effectively for the model. Trying on the complete assortment, all fashions are within the US$600–750 vary (roughly €575–645). Contemplating what you get for the cash, I’d label Traska as one of the best in school in each class of watches that the model gives.
Whereas I really like the Commuter and the Venturer most, the model additionally gives two nice dive watches, the Freediver and Seafarer. Lastly, the Summiteer is a superb fashionable area watch. All of them are inexpensive and had been created with the identical clear imaginative and prescient in thoughts. It’s arduous to fault Traska for its magnificent efforts to create nice, inexpensive watches. It truly is that easy, and typically, the only issues result in one of the best outcomes. The Traska Commuter is the proper proof of that.
