While Raven Watches began about ten years ago with several Submariner-type homage watches, the past few years have seen the brand expand and come into their own with models that have broken somewhat with the vintage-inspired conventions of their beginnings. Recently, I had the opportunity to take one of Raven’s relatively new offerings, the Venture, out for a spin. How did it stack up to my expectations" Let’s delve right in.

$650

Review: Raven Venture

Case
Blasted stainless steel; molded matte ceramic bezel insert

Movement
ETA 2824

Dial
Black (matte)

Lume
Super-LumiNova

Lens
Double-domed sapphire

Strap
Stainless steel bracelet

Water Resistance
300 meters

Dimensions 42mm x 50mm

Thickness
12.5mm

Lug Width
22mm

Crown
Screw-down

Warranty
Yes

Price
$650

The Venture is a stainless steel dive watch with a rotating unidirectional bezel and a steel bracelet with a diver?s extension. The anti-allergic, medical-grade 316L stainless steel case is 42 millimeters wide without the crown, a size that Raven refers to as ?midsize,? as they have watches in their catalog with larger cases. The watches are available in either brushed or sand-blasted finishes, and though I was only sent the sand-blasted, grey-dialed variant for review, I can say that this finish was skillfully applied and lends the watch a great, matte look. Though the case depth isn?t published on Raven?s website, I measured it to be about 12.5 mil...