For a new brand aiming to produce watches at, or under, the $500 mark the safest route is often to make a dive watch. To narrow it down one step further, a retro-styled dive watch is a pretty popular choice. So what?s different about the Torpedo from Iridium watches" On first glance, perhaps not much, but let?s take a closer to look to see whether the debut watch from the brand has enough to set it apart from the crowd.

$399

Hands-On With The Iridium Torpedo

Case
Stainless Steel with Anti-Scratch Coating

Movement
Miyota 9015

Dial
Blue

Lume
SuperLuminova BGW9

Lens
Double domed sapphire

Strap
Bracelet

Water Resistance
300m

Dimensions
42 x 50mm

Thickness
13mm
Lug Width
22mm

Crown
Screw Down

Warranty
2 Years

Price
$399

With the Iridium Torpedo watch in hand, the first thing I notice aside from the dial aesthetics is its chunkiness. Whereas many retro-styled dive watches will be pitched around the 39-40mm mark, the Torpedo comes in at 42mm in diameter and 50mm from lug tip to lug tip. Initially, that feels at odds with the overall tone set by the box crystal, brushed bezel and absence of crown guards. The total thickness is just in excess of 13mm and the case sides do nothing to hide that. A 300m water resistant dive watch with those dimensions is nothing unusual or unacceptable though.

The finishing on the case is a balanced combination of vertical brushing and polished chamfered edges which run nice and wide ...