Today, we’re taking a closer look at the latest release from a brand that will likely be familiar to many of my readers — Spinnaker. I’ve had a long-standing relationship with this brand, having owned and reviewed several of their watches over the years. I still remember when they were first getting started, launching those distinctive vintage-inspired designs that really caught my attention. Since then, Spinnaker has grown tremendously — to the point where it feels like there’s a new release every week (no complaints here!). Whether it’s a fresh reinterpretation of a past model or a playful collaboration like their SpongeBob series, Spinnaker has built a diverse catalog that continues to surprise and impress. It’s genuinely exciting to see one of my favorite microbrands not only survive but thrive in today’s competitive watch market. So why is Spinnaker one of my favorite brands? For me, it comes down to a combination of strong design language, solid build quality, and affordability. Their pieces often deliver exceptional value and make great alternatives to more established names like Seiko (yes, I know — some Seiko fans might raise an eyebrow at that!).

Now, on to their newest release: the Challenger Automatic. This model builds on the design DNA of their earlier Piccard watch but comes in a more compact, wearable form — think of it as the Piccard’s smaller sibling. The version I received is in a sleek grey colorway, though it’s also available in green, blue, and red. What truly sets the Challenger apart — quite literally — is the oversized, bubble-domed crystal. It’s a bold design element that immediately evokes the Piccard collection, and to be honest, I haven’t seen anything quite like it outside of the Corum Bubble, which sits in a completely different price category. With that, let’s dive into the review.

The Challenger Automatic arrived in a stylish and practical zippered travel pouch, embossed with the Spinnaker logo. Inside the pouch, you’ll find the watch itself, an additional rubber strap, the instruction manual, and a warranty card. In my opinion, the packaging is very well thought out — not only does it protect the watch during shipping, but it also doubles as a functional travel case. Once you remove the inner foam inserts, it’s perfect for carrying other items like a phone, charger, or cables. I really appreciate it when brands put effort into making their packaging reusable and practical.

Honestly, my immediate reaction could be summed up in two words: THE CRYSTAL. It’s the first thing that hits you. The bubble-domed crystal is almost as thick as the case itself — seriously, it’s wild. It makes a huge visual impact and really defines the personality of this piece. That said, it did make me curious about durability — I wonder how it would hold up against impacts compared to a traditional flat or gently domed sapphire crystal. As I looked more closely, a couple of functional points stood out. The bezel, while solid and well-aligned, feels a bit tight to rotate — not a dealbreaker, but something worth noting. The clasp, on the other hand, felt a little underwhelming for a watch with such bold design choices. It works, but it doesn’t quite live up to the rest of the watch’s presence.

The case of the Challenger Automatic is crafted from stainless steel, and the machining and finishing are genuinely impressive for the price point. It features a mostly satin-brushed finish, complemented by polished bevels along the case edges that add a touch of visual refinement. The case measures 42mm in diameter, with a lug-to-lug distance of 49.5mm, and a thickness of 18.5mm — slightly slimmer than the 19mm listed on Spinnaker’s website. That thickness, by the way, includes the eye-catching 6.5mm high-domed sapphire crystal, which dominates the watch’s profile and gives it a distinct presence on the wrist. Despite the dramatic crystal, the watch wears surprisingly well. It doesn’t feel overly bulky, though it’s definitely not slipping under a shirt cuff — this is more of a bold statement piece than a dress watch.

Sitting on top of the case is a 120-click unidirectional bezel, fitted with a grey ceramic insert featuring white, Swiss Super-LumiNova-filled markers that glow blue in low light. The bezel has a polished coin-edge grip and feels robust, with no play at all — a reassuring sign of quality. That said, the bezel action is a bit too stiff for my liking, and I imagine it would be difficult to operate with wet hands or gloves, which might be a concern for actual diving use.At the 3 o’clock position is a screw-down crown, signed with the Spinnaker logo and finished in high polish. It’s easy to grip and operate, and threading feels smooth — another positive detail that adds to the sense of quality.

Flipping the watch over, the solid case back continues the brushed aesthetic and features engraved specifications around the perimeter, with the Spinnaker logo and an interesting geometric pattern in the center. It adds a nice touch of depth and texture.Water resistance is rated at 300 meters (30 ATM) — respectable for a dive-style watch, though visually, it looks like it could handle even more. With its thick case and massive crystal, one might expect at least 500m, but let’s be honest: for 99.9% of wearers, this will be a stylish desk diver rather than a serious tool for deep-sea exploration.

The dial of the Challenger Automatic is genuinely intriguing — it has a lot going on, in a good way — but it’s not without a caveat. Due to the extreme curvature of the domed crystal, the dial can appear heavily distorted when viewed from certain angles. While this adds to the watch’s character, it does come at the cost of some legibility in off-angle views. That said, the dial itself is a standout. Spinnaker describes the texture as being “inspired by the ocean floor,” and it really does evoke that feeling. It features a unique combination of circular grooved lines and a divot-like surface texture, which gives it both depth and visual interest. The applied hour markers are brushed and generously filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova, glowing green in low light. The hour and minute hands are large, brushed, and lume-filled as well — extremely legible and well-proportioned to the dial. The seconds hand adds a pop of contrast, finished in a vibrant blue with a lollipop-style tip that ties in nicely with the minute track, which is printed in the same shade of blue and runs around the outer edge of the dial.

Interestingly, the dial could almost be described as a sector dial, as it features one horizontal and one vertical line intersecting in the center, visually dividing the face into four quadrants. This subtle design choice adds another layer of structure and symmetry. At 6 o’clock, there’s a date window with a brushed frame and a grey date wheel that blends well with the dial — a thoughtful touch that maintains the overall aesthetic without drawing too much attention. Despite the distortion from the crystal, legibility remains quite good overall, especially head-on. In the dark, the lume provides decent visibility, although it’s more on the modest side — it glows brightly at first, but fades after about 20–25 minutes when fully charged. Not the brightest lume in the game, but certainly serviceable for most situations.

Let’s talk about what’s ticking inside the Spinnaker Challenger — the trusty Seiko NH35. This movement is basically the Toyota Corolla of watch calibers: not flashy, but reliable, built to last, and will probably outlive you. It’s an automatic movement with hacking and hand-winding, which means you can stop the seconds hand for precise time-setting and give it a little wind if it’s been sitting for a while. It beats at a smooth 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and gives you a 41-hour power reserve, so you can take it off for a day and it’ll still be ticking. Now, while the NH35 is officially rated at -20 to +40 seconds a day, my example is running at a sweet +7 to +8 seconds per day, which is solid for a movement in this price range. No complaints there — that’s pretty much “set it and forget it” territory. Sure, it’s not going to wow you with Swiss flair or fancy decorations, but it’s a workhorse movement that keeps things simple and dependable. It’s the perfect match for the Challenger — rugged, no-nonsense, and always ready for the next adventure.

Let’s talk about the bracelet — and I’ll be honest, it was a bit of a letdown. At first glance, it looks decent with a classic three-link Oyster-style design, solid end links, and a full satin-brushed finish. But that’s where the positives mostly end. While the clasp is milled on the inside, the outer shell is stamped, which cheapens the overall feel. Worse yet, the clasp tends to pull arm hairs, which makes it uncomfortable for extended wear. It does offer three micro-adjustment holes and a diver’s extension, which are nice features — but not enough to redeem it. The links are held together with push pins instead of screws, which feels like a missed opportunity for better quality. On the bright side, the bracelet does include quick-release spring bars, making strap swaps easy and tool-free. It measures 20mm at the lugs, tapering to 18mm at the clasp.

Now, the real surprise? The included rubber strap. It’s made from high-quality FKM rubber in grey, and it feels fantastic — soft, pliable, and premium. While the material reminds me of the quality you’d expect from higher-end brands, the ribbed design near the lugs is more reminiscent of Seiko dive straps, giving it that classic, functional look. It comes fitted with quick-release spring bars for easy changes and a brushed tang buckle that complements the watch nicely. In short: bracelet meh, strap fantastic — especially for summer wear, where the rubber option really shines and even makes the watch feel slimmer and more comfortable on the wrist.

The Spinnaker Challenger Automatic is a bold and distinctive dive-style watch that delivers a lot of personality and presence for the price. It’s a piece that doesn’t try to blend in — from the towering bubble-domed sapphire crystal to the textured, ocean-inspired dial, this watch wants to be noticed. And in a sea of homage-heavy microbrands, that’s something I really appreciate. It’s not perfect, of course. The bracelet leaves a lot to be desired, and the extreme curvature of the crystal does impact legibility from some angles. The lume could be stronger, and the bezel action is a bit too stiff for my taste. But these are small trade-offs in the context of what you get: a solidly built, visually unique, and mechanically reliable timepiece with real wrist presence. The inclusion of a high-quality rubber strap is a thoughtful touch, and the packaging adds unexpected value and utility. Paired with the dependable Seiko NH35 movement, the Challenger strikes a great balance between rugged tool watch and quirky conversation starter. If you’re looking for something different that still checks the boxes of quality, reliability, and affordability — this Challenger is well worth a look.

Price €396,95 at spinnaker-watches.com