Leave It to a Navy SEAL to Design a Swiss Diver Fit for the Harshest Environments

This beefy automatic is as tough as they come. But what’s probably more important is its stealthy good looks.

Prometheus Design Werx SPD x Resco UDT PVD Dive Watch bezel closeup

Published 14 hours ago

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Prometheus Design Werx offers some of the most rugged and capable EDC and outdoor gear around. As such, the brand has some pretty high standards. For it to put its seal of approval (no pun intended) on a dive watch, that timepiece has to be pretty spectacularly rugged.

So it makes sense that PDW would collaborate with a brand like Resco, an American watchmaker started by a former Navy SEAL. The result is the SPD Edition RESCO UDT PVD dive watch, which has formidability and style to spare.

Prometheus Design Werx SPD x Resco UDT PVD Dive Watch — This beefy watch has a stealthy monochrome colorway, save for its exclusive orange trident second hand.

Release the Kraken

Obviously, this is a dive watch. That said, the orange Trident second hand — the only splash of color on it — and the SPD UET Kraken logo aren’t simply stylistic touches; they’re indications of this watch’s real capabilities.

This watch is rated for a whopping 300 meters — 100 more than typical dive watches, and deeper than most, even those with a scuba certification, will ever dive. That depth rating is courtesy of its beefy case.

Prometheus Design Werx SPD x Resco UDT PVD Dive Watch caseback — These watches are built and tested on Coronado Island, a prominent base of operations for Navy SEALs.

Unlike previous collaborations with Resco, this PDW watch features a new titanium case, which is incredibly strong, resilient and lightweight. The case’s PVD coating boosts durability, wear resistance and style.

It’s also mated to a sapphire crystal and a rather thick rotating dive timer bezel. While it can’t be claimed that the bezel adds to its strength and durability, there’s certainly an intimidation factor, which speaks to its more inscrutable capabilities.

Prometheus Design Werx SPD x Resco UDT PVD Dive Watch buckle closeup — The NATO-style strap has PVD-coated hardware that matches the watch’s rugged case.

American fortitude, Swiss precision

Durability and strength are one thing, but they’re not going to go very far if the watch isn’t mechanically sound. Thankfully, Resco didn’t skimp there, either.

While these watches are assembled in the USA, the movement is sourced from those who do it best: the Swiss. Inside the case, this watch boasts an automatic Swiss Sellita SW200 movement.

Prometheus Design Werx SPD x Resco UDT PVD Dive Watch case — The watch comes in an appropriately tough case.

For reference, that same movement has been used in numerous other noteworthy watches, especially divers, like those made by Sinn, Oris and Christopher Ward. Put plainly: it’s a solid, reliable, trusted caliber.

To top it all off, the watch also has BWG9 SuperLuminova on its dial markers for easier reading in low-light situations and a NATO-style strap with PVD-coated hardware. Top to bottom, this watch is pretty impressive, even if it comes from a lesser-known brand.