Some of you may already know about Wren Watch. The New York-based passion project is the brainchild of Wrist Enthusiast founder Craig Karger. A lawyer by trade and a watch enthusiast at heart, he started an Instagram account for wrist enthusiasts and quickly gained a loyal following. After expanding Wrist Enthusiast to multiple platforms, the next step was a watch brand. Wren Watches started in 2023 as Karger’s creative outlet, using his experience in the watch world as input to create his own watches. His first creation was the vintage-inspired Diver Ren Diver One. After the first Diver One Aqua sold out quickly, we had a chance to get our hands on its successor, the Diver One Snow.
The philosophy behind Wren and its initial commitment is to create watches by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts. With Diver One, Karger has taken influence from divers of the past to create a watch with a nice vintage twist that will definitely resonate with enthusiasts. But to complement its retro appeal, the Diver One feels like a very modern watch. Modern materials and build quality mean the Diver One is crafted to reflect the charm of a vintage watch, while also working perfectly as everyday wear.
Wren One Snow details
Let’s take a look at some basic specs to support that claim. The watch features a 41mm stainless steel case that measures 47mm lug to lug and 13.3mm thick including the box-shaped crystal. The case is water resistant to 200m and comes with a 22/18mm stainless steel flat link bracelet. Both the case and bracelet are treated with a scratch-resistant PVD coating that preserves the color of the steel. The combination of the case shape and bracelet gives it a traditional skin diver feel, which I really like.
But if you look a little closer, you’ll see that this case also has a lot of modern features. The finish is very nice, mainly featuring brushed surfaces and polished chamfers. In addition to the flat-link bracelet, buyers will receive a blue or white FKM rubber strap. It’s purely a personal preference as both fit the dial design very well. I found the blue strap to be a more appealing option as it has a nice dark tone.
Blue and white fumé sandwich dial
The Wren Diver One Snow features a fumé dial that starts in white at the center and slowly turns darker blue towards the periphery. And as you can see, it’s a sandwich dial. The hour markers are cutouts, and below them is the seconds dial treated with white Super-LumiNova. All 12 hour markers illuminate bright blue in the dark. The white minute track is executed in white and ties together the hour and minute markers nicely. The top half of the dial features the brand’s logo, while the bottom half displays practical text about the movement and depth rating. The words “SWISS MADE” are displayed in large letters across the 6 o’clock marker. I understand that it is aligned to the minute marker for consistency. However, I would have been happy if it was a little smaller.
The dial is nicely matched with a stainless steel bezel with a dark blue sapphire insert. This insert’s vintage-inspired design is given a modern touch as the markers and numbers light up in the dark. If you are planning a night dive, you can time it properly even in the dark. But like almost all diver’s watches, most people don’t expect to see it underwater for serious adventure. That doesn’t take away from the Diver One’s sympathetic look or modern features.
Reliable Sellita SW200-1 caliber
The same goes for movement. For the case, Karger chose to go with the undated version of the Sellita SW200-1. The automatic caliber operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 26 jewels and offers a 38-hour power reserve. This reliable caliber is a logical choice as it is easy to maintain and offers excellent reliability. The movement is hidden behind an all-steel case back featuring a large painting of the wren that gives the brand its name.
On the back, it is worth mentioning that switching between bracelet and strap is easy thanks to the quick-release spring bar. Additionally, the lugs have slots that allow you to easily slide the spring bar in and push it down until it locks into place. This makes the exchange process very easy. Although I like the look of the bracelet watch, I mostly wore the blue rubber strap watch. This is an interesting conclusion because 99 times out of 100 I would choose the bracelet. However, the Diver One Snow looks great on the blue rubber strap and I couldn’t help but like it.
Wren Diver One Wearing Snow
Besides, it is very comfortable with rubber straps. It’s sturdy yet flexible, allowing you to balance the watch nicely on your wrist. Each rubber strap has two keepers and a branded buckle to match the overall design. On the wrist, classic elements such as the dial and case shape combine with modern features such as the rubber strap and 41mm size to create a balanced design. For those who prefer flat-link bracelets, this watch has a distinctly retro presence.
The Diver One Snow bracelet reminded me of the Oris Diver’s Date and Diver’s Sixty-Five series. The flatlink design has added elements rooted in the 1950s and 60s, giving it a great vintage appeal. However, despite its classic appearance, it is a modern and well-made bracelet. Features screws for easy size adjustment and a modern milled clasp. The quality of both is good, especially considering that this watch costs less than 1,000 euros. The clasp snaps shut securely and opens easily with a push-button release.
Final thoughts about Wren One Snow
Overall, Wren has released a very good new version of Diver One. The first model had a summery aqua blue dial, but this model has a more wintery feel. The rubber strap makes it easy to become the perfect summer diver. A very balanced design that will appeal to fans of affordable diving watches.
Modern manufacturing quality adds the peace of mind that today’s watch enthusiasts are looking for, making it the perfect choice for an affordable watch. The Wren Diver One Snow is limited to 100 pieces. I think brands have no problem selling them quickly.
There’s something very relatable about this watch that attracts fans. Admittedly, this is not the most original dive watch, but most dive watches are It takes inspiration from the genre’s rich history, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re interested in this new Wren Diver One Snow, you can pre-order it now for $965. Shipping of the watches will begin in January 2025. So the waiting time is not that long.
As I said earlier, if you want it, you need to buy it early. Knowing that Diver One Aqua sold out quickly and having experienced Diver One Snow up close, it’s safe to say that Wren is a fascinating follow-up to the first Diver One. And with its limited production run and loyal following, the Diver One Snow will catch on quickly. Nice job Wren!
What do you think about the new Ren Diver One Snow? Let us know in the comments section below.
