In the ever-evolving landscape of microbrands, Traska has quietly carved out a reputation for doing things the right way—clean design, thoughtful proportions, real-world durability, and perhaps most importantly, restraint. Their watches don’t scream for attention. Instead, they feel like products born from wearers who understand what makes a timepiece timeless. But Traska’s journey didn’t start with a triumph. It began with a mistake. Traska is a microbrand founded by Jon Mack, who famously ruined a vintage 1966 Bulova Snorkel by accidentally flooding it in saltwater. From that misadventure came a mission: build beautiful watches that can take a beating. That led to the Freediver, then to the Summiteer, first introduced in 2019 as a field-style homage.
The Summiteer was first introduced in 2019, and while it’s come a long way since then, its roots were quite humble. The original model featured a simple design and was only available in a single 38mm size. Over the years, the Summiteer has undergone significant evolution—now in its sixth generation—with notable improvements to the crystal, dial, and overall aesthetics. Each iteration has brought the design closer to refinement, and perhaps most notably, the much-requested 36mm version was finally added to the lineup. The model we’re reviewing today is the fifth-generation Summiteer (Ref. 6223) with a striking blue dial—personally, my favorite configuration. Interestingly, Traska sent me this older reference instead of the latest sixth-gen model (Ref. 6224). While I can’t say for certain why, both versions appear nearly identical at a glance, and their specifications remain largely unchanged.
The watch arrived in a simple white cardboard box, and inside was a neatly presented package: a card with details about the watch and a compact black leather travel pouch housing the Summiteer. As I’ve said before, this style of packaging is spot on in my opinion. I really appreciate brands that skip the oversized boxes that only end up collecting dust—this travel pouch is not only practical but genuinely useful. First impressions? Even better than expected. I was honestly blown away by the watch the moment I saw it.
The case is where the Summiteer 36mm really shines. Specs-wise, we’re looking at: 36.5mm diameter (not including the crown), 44mm lug-to-lug, 8.75mm thick (10.5mm including crystal) and 20mm lug width. In a world where everything seems to be upsized for the sake of wrist presence, it’s refreshing to wear a piece that feels thoughtfully scaled—not small, just appropriately sized. The proportions are near-perfect for wrists in the 15cm to 19cm range, and thanks to the compact lug span and thin case, it wears like a dream on my 18cm wrist.
The case is machined from 316L stainless steel, but here’s the kicker: it’s treated with Traska’s proprietary hardening process that takes the surface hardness from the typical 200 HV to around 1200 HV. That’s serious scratch resistance—nearly six times harder than untreated steel. In practice, it means the Summiteer stays looking box-fresh long after most watches would be showing hairlines or desk-diving scuffs. Interestingly, this type of finishing has recently become quite popular among microbrands. I hadn’t come across it before, but now it seems like more and more watch companies are starting to adopt it.
Finishing is also above what you’d expect at this price. The top surfaces are finely brushed, while polished chamfers run along the bezel and case sides, adding just enough sparkle to elevate the toolishness. The case sides themselves are fully polished, offering a subtle contrast to the brushed surfaces and enhancing the overall refinement. Lug holes are drilled for easy strap changes—an enthusiast-friendly touch. The screw-down crown is engraved with Traska’s spiral logo and sits neatly recessed. It’s small, but not fiddly, and easy to grip and operate. Around back, the screw-in caseback adds to the watch’s solid 100m water resistance. It features engraved specifications, including the reference number and serial, but is otherwise left blank—a somewhat unusual choice. Personally, I would’ve preferred to see the Traska logo or some unique design element engraved here to tie the presentation together
The Summiteer features a box-shaped sapphire crystal, which mimics the aesthetic of vintage acrylic domes but with all the modern benefits—namely, scratch resistance and clarity. It’s slightly raised, with a distortion-free view and just enough elevation to catch light around the edge. But the real star of the show is the dial, and in this case, midnight blue is a killer choice. This is not a bright or flashy blue. It’s a deep, rich, navy-like hue that flirts with black in low light but reveals its color in sunlight or bright indoor lighting. The dial is matte, but not flat—it has a soft texture that absorbs light gracefully.
Design-wise, it’s classic field watch territory, with bold Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9, a clean triangle at 12, and subtle minute hashmarks around the dial. There’s no date window—thankfully—and no distracting text beyond the Traska logo and the word “Automatic.” Indices and numerals are applied, giving a raised dimensionality you rarely find on sub-€600 field watches. They’re filled with BGW9 Super-LumiNova, which glows cool blue and remains legible for hours after dark. The BGW9 lume on the hands and markers charges quickly and glows with a cool, blue-white hue. It’s not dive-watch-bright, but more than sufficient for field watch needs. It won’t compete with Seiko’s Lumibrite, but for a watch of this style, it punches above its weight. The hands are sharp, polished swords for the hours and minutes, with a needle-thin seconds hand capped by a lumed arrow tip. They’re simple but precise. Everything lines up, lume is evenly applied, and legibility is outstanding. There’s zero clutter, zero fluff—just purpose and polish. Pure Perfection!
Inside beats the Miyota 9039, a dateless, high-beat automatic movement running at 28,800bph (4Hz), with a 42-hour power reserve. It’s hacking, hand-winding, and considered one of the best no-date automatic calibers in the microbrand space. Out of the box, many owners report accuracy in the +5 to +10 seconds/day range, which is more than acceptable—especially considering Traska regulates their movements in-house. Mine example was running at +4 to +6 seconds/day. The winding experience is smooth, though some users report the rotor can be a bit noisy when shaken or if you listen closely in a quiet room. But on the wrist? You’ll forget it’s even there. Importantly, the movement is dateless. That means no “phantom date wheel” clicks, and no crown position confusion. It’s a clean implementation and a smart choice for a watch like this.
Traska’s bracelet game is strong, but not without it’s small problems. The solid stainless steel bracelet tapers from 20mm at the lugs down to 16mm at the clasp. The links are fully articulating with screw pins (not pins and collars), and the end links are female, meaning they articulate down from the case rather than jutting out. This gives the watch a more compact, wrist-hugging feel. The clasp is a milled, dual push-button design with four micro-adjust positions. Inside the clasp you’ll find perlage finishing, which is a delightful detail at this price. It’s not a quick-adjust clasp, but once set, it stays put. The tolerances feel tight, and the clasp locks with a satisfying click.
While the overall package is impressive, perfection is always elusive. For me, the bracelet falls slightly short—it feels a bit flimsy and lacks the solid, premium feel you’d hope for. There’s a slight rattle that gives it a somewhat cheap impression. That said, the finishing on the bracelet is excellent, and the clasp, in particular, is outstanding—precise, secure, and exceptionally well-executed.
The Summiteer 36mm is the kind of watch you forget you’re wearing—and I mean that as a compliment. At just under 9mm thick (excluding the crystal), it slips under cuffs, jackets, or gloves with zero resistance. The curved lugs, compact footprint, and articulated bracelet make it melt onto the wrist. If you have smaller wrists and have been burned by lug overhang or bulky cases before, this one might be your salvation. On a NATO or leather strap, it transforms again—sporty, clean, ready for anything. It’s versatile, photogenic, and effortlessly wearable.
The Traska Summiteer 36mm is a rare thing in the watch world—a true everyday companion that doesn’t try too hard, yet gets just about everything right. It’s a watch clearly designed by someone who wears watches, not just sells them. From the near-perfect proportions and no-nonsense design to the hardened case and subtle, refined finishing, it’s built for real-world use without sacrificing charm or style. Sure, it’s not without its minor flaws. The bracelet could feel more solid, and the blank caseback feels like a missed opportunity for a touch of personality. But those are small trade-offs in what is otherwise a remarkably well-rounded timepiece. The fact that this level of design, finishing, and functionality is available for under €600 is, frankly, kind of wild. In a market overflowing with loud, oversized, over-styled watches, the Summiteer stands out by staying quiet. It doesn’t scream for attention—it earns it over time. Whether you’re just getting into watches or have a box full of heavy hitters, this one deserves a spot in your rotation. It’s not just a field watch. It’s a field statement—that less really can be more.
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