How the Rivelta Metrodive combines urban stealthiness and diver legibility
Time+TideThere is no shortage of affordable tool watches on the market today, and although it’s hard to find an objective and commonly agreed upon definition of what “affordable” means, let’s say, for the sake of our argument here, that we’re looking at the US$500 mark. That’s where, in our experience, the magic happens, in that it’s a category occupied by plenty of quality offerings that don’t break the bank, while also usually having non-derivative designs. The Rivelta Metrodive is exactly that, released late last year by Jesse Prawiro, it’s the second microbrand under his belt after releasing a sporty, three-register chrono under the Soldat brand in 2020. The Indonesian collector-turned-brand owner clearly thought that there is enough visual distinction between the two for it to warrant a completely new brand, with a distinctly more contemporary aesthetic. Let’s see if he’s right.
The case
First things first, the Metrodive collection comprises four versions – 01, 02, 03, and 04. Three versions have a stainless steel case, while the 02 comes with a DLC-coated surface. All versions have fully brushed cases which already indicates that indeed, the Metrodive is meant to fly under the radar. And that is also true looking at its dimensions – 39mm in diameter, 46mm lug-to-lug, 13mm thick and a 20mm lug width. A few millimeters narrower, and it would have been too small for larger wrists; a bit larger and it would have looked unnecessarily imposing. Overall, the case has a simple design where we find no chamfers and only short crown guards that protect the screw-down crown which. Combined with a screw-down case-back, they endow the Metrodive with 200 metres of water resistance. The lugs are short, turn down towards the wrist, and are drilled which makes switching straps a second-nature type of operation.
The bi-directional, 60-click bezel is made of black DLC-coated stainless steel and comes with a Sinn-like action. In other words, firm and precise. Its design is also what Prawiro hopes to be the differentiating factor for Rivelta. Instead of a classic dive-time scale, the Metrodive goes for a fully graduated countdown style bezel, claiming this will be more useful in most day-to-day tasks. To go along with this improved utility, the inverted triangle of the bezel is lumed – a nice touch.
The dial
The Metrodive dial is all about legibility. As the model name indicates, we’re looking at a cross between a diver and an urban everyday watch. The handset is a mix of sword for the hours and pencil for the minutes, reminding me of pilot’s watches, and so do the Arabic numerals. The latter also evokes field watches, but the choice of typeface makes the Metrodive lean more towards the world of pilot’s watches. Furthermore, a framed date window can be found at 3 o’clock, and the shape of the date numerals might (if you are as nerdy as I am) hint at which movement is inside this model.
Underneath a domed sapphire crystal, the matte black dial makes the painted hour markers and hands pop, which will help you read the time in a jiffy. Note the black surrounds on the hour and minute hands, and the blacked-out stem of the second hand. I do like how the majority of the second hand is fully lumed which, alongside the lumed hour markers on the recessed minute track, make reading the time in low-light conditions easy. Although Rivelta does not specify which blend of lume we’re dealing with, I suspect it’s BGW9, as it glows ice blue.
The strap
The Rivelta Metrodive is shipped on a nylon sailcloth strap which visually pairs well with the watch, but is unfortunately quite stiff out of the box. Given that the lugs are drilled, it’s easy to swap it for something else. Although stiff, the OEM strap does taper from 20mm at the lugs to 18mm at the buckle, and the latter is also made of DLC-coated steel, or simply brushed for the non-coated variants.
The movement
As I hinted earlier, looking at the shape of the date numerals might give away the movement found inside the Metrodive – a Miyota 9015 which beats at 28,800vph and comes with 42 hours of power reserve. Although Rivelta does not regulate the calibers, the unit I had in for review constantly ran at +2 seconds/per day which is quite neat.
Rivelta Metrodive pricing and availability
The Rivelta Metrodive is a regular-production model available from the brand’s website. Price: A$679
| Brand | Rivelta |
| Model | Metrodive |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 13mm (T) x 46mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel, PVD-coated steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | AR-coated, domed sapphire front |
| Dial | Grey, black |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Bracelet | Nylon canvas, case-matching pin buckle |
| Movement | Miyota 9015, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$679 |