HANDS ON: RAVEN DEEP TECH (2020)

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42.5mm case/52mm L2L/17mm height/22mm lugs

HANDS ON: RAVEN DEEP TECH (2020)
APRIL 24, 2020
WORDS BY ED JELLEY
PHOTOS BY ED JELLEY

https://wornandwound.com/review/hand...eep-tech-2020/

It’s been just over six years since Zach Weiss took a look at the original Deep Tech, and quite a bit has changed in the watch world since then. Big watches were much more common and popular, which the Deep Tech could have easily gotten lost amongst. While the design of the watch hasn’t undergone too many changes, there are definitely some notable improvements and alterations to Raven’s 2500m beast of a dive watch. A double gasket-sealed case back, and triple-sealed crown cover the “Deep”, while a helium escape valve and thick sapphire crystal contribute to the “Tech” side. It’s Raven’s most capable watch, and the name drives that point home. Today, we’re taking a look at the newest edition of the Deep Tech and how this unapologetically large watch holds up in the current scene that’s trending towards smaller sizes and vintage-inspired design. Let’s start off with some specs:

$1100

CASE Stainless Steel
MOVEMENT ETA 2826
DIAL Various colors
LUME BGW9
LENS Domed Sapphire
STRAP Steel Bracelet
WATER RESISTANCE 2500M
DIMENSIONS 42.5 x 52mm
THICKNESS 17mm
LUG WIDTH 22mm
CROWN Screw-down
WARRANTY Yes
PRICE $1100

A 2500m water-resistant case is no small feat of engineering. It takes a lot to be able to withstand such harsh conditions, but the Raven Deep Tech manages to pull it off without feeling like you’re wearing an actual submarine strapped to your wrist. At 42.5mm, the diameter of the watch is actually quite reasonable. The lug-to-lug of 52mm is on the longer size, and there’s no getting around the fact that 17mm is quite tall on the wrist. However, the design and proportions are spot-on, making it about as wearable as a watch this size could be on my modest 6.75” wrist.

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LET’S GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY – IT’S TALL

In looking at the case, you’ll notice that there are some similarities to the Rolex Sea Dweller. There are thick slab sides, a prominent crown guard, and that classic dive watch shape. On the left side of the case, there’s a helium escape valve should you find yourself saturation diving. Each surface of the case features a uniform brushed finish, which differs from the older version with polished sides. The brushing gives off a more tool-ish appearance, and to me, better suits the watch than the polished surfaces of the older version. The thick coin-edge bezel surrounds a hefty 4.5mm thick sapphire crystal that’s gently domed, standing just a fraction of a millimeter over the lumed sapphire bezel insert. Action on the 120-click bezel is snappy and smooth, while taking just the right amount of pressure to get it going as to avoid unwanted bumps out of alignment.

Under that beefy crystal is a printed dive watch dial with a triangle at 12, elongated pointed polygons at 3, 6, and 9, with squares filling in for the rest of the numerals. Each of the indices is treated with BGW9 luminous paint that gives off a pleasing blue-green glow. The Raven logo is proudly displayed at 12, counterbalanced by three lines of text just above six o’clock. “DEEP TECH” is on the first line, followed by the impressive “8000ft. = 2500m” water resistance rating, and finally “AUTOMATIC” at the bottom to let you know that the watch winds itself.

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