Serica’s new Ref. 5330 proves even purists might make room for a date (live pics)
Tom Austin- Serica unveils a new monochromatic diver, the Ref. 5330, following the successful recipe of the previous divers, with a special twist.
- The 5530 reveals an all-new streamlined bezel with a polished grey ceramic insert alongside a subtly redesigned matte black dial.
- Forgoing the strict dial symmetry of the other Serica divers, the 5530 debuts a date window for the first time.
If you’ve been around watches for a while, you’ll know that there is a strong argument to suggest that dive watches are the most important tool watches of all. The need to record the length of a dive to know how much air you have left in the tanks could, and has been, a matter of life or death. It’s the reason dive watches exist in the first place, and, while yes, these days there aren’t that many people using them primarily for that function, they are certainly in use today as a manual backup by serious underwater explorers. With that in mind, a good dive watch needs to be extremely legible. Being submerged under just 5 metres of murky water can mean you can no longer read your watch properly, so having something easy to read is critical, and sometimes, this means things like symmetry can be crucial.
Serica’s diving range is a perfect example of this in practise. Even the French Navy thought so, joining forces with the French brand last year to release the 5303 PLD, a watch designed in collaboration with the French Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, designed specifically for wearing while disarming and safely disposing of bombs on shorelines and underwater. The logo-less, lollipop dial is perfectly symmetrical, making time-telling one less thing to worry about. Well, now, Serica has decided that a date window can be added without compromising time legibility or disrupting the harmony that a symmetrical dial brings. Introducing the Serica Ref. 5330, a new diver from the brand, which, for the first time, includes a date window on the dial.
When I first saw this watch, I didn’t immediately realise it was new, not because I didn’t see the date, but because I instantly knew it was a Serica diver, and I suppose that’s the point. It still comprises that Goldilocks design recipe; 39mm in diameter, 12.2mm thick, with a 46.5mm lug-to-lug, all housed in a tastefully styled, anti-magnetic stainless steel case. The traditional-looking lyre lugs are still here, as is the huge screw-down crown and double-domed sapphire crystal, all of which add up to a very substantial 300 metres of water-resistance. There’s no question here that the Ref. 5330 is a proper dive watch.
The subtle differences begin to creep in around the bezel, though. The 5330 features an all-new rotating timing bezel, finished in brushed stainless steel and adorned with an anthracite-grey polished ceramic insert. The markings on the bezel have been simplified to display just the hours and minutes, alongside an oversized lume pip at the 12 o’clock position, meaning that legibility is far from an issue, and being ceramic, it will stay that way, too.
The 5330 features an all-new matte black dial with cream Super-Luminova lollipop plots, which give it just enough of a hint of vintage inspiration without going too heavy on the faux-tina. This is paired with a set of large, bright white hands with matching lume that take up a large portion of the dial space, leaving you with absolutely no questions about what time it is when you glance at it. The dial is ever-so-slightly different to its Ref. 5303 stablemate, with the lume plots at the top of the dial taking on a more slender look and the minute track stepping in slightly towards the centre of the dial, noting that the “Serica – Swiss” logo now sits outside the minute track.
Then, of course, you look towards the 3 o’clock mark, and the dial is interrupted by a small date window for the first time, slightly different in shape to the hour markers, obviously, but not too big that it looks out of place. And, in case you didn’t notice, Serica went ahead and printed the date wheel in bright red. It’s a small detail which doesn’t look out of place and gives it an unusual, but charming look. Side note: whatever happened to red or roulette date wheels? We really do need more of these.
The movement inside the 5330 remains the same, using the COSC-certified Soprod M100 automatic calibre. A sturdy Swiss movement, it features a 42-hour power reserve while beating at 4 Hz, and is treated to some neat Côtes de Genève finishing, as well. We’ve mentioned this before, but seeing a watch of this price bracket offering the accuracy and reliability of COSC certification is impressive, and again, proves the 5330 is more than just a desk diver, it’s properly up to the job it’s designed to do.
The Ref. 5330 comes equipped with a Vesper stainless steel bracelet with a signed clasp, available in three lengths: short, standard, and extra-long, in case you’re among the larger-wristed among us. The coolest-looking strap, however, has to be the additional Serica PLD white and red elastic nylon strap, which is pictured here. It offers a clean and unique military tool look, with a flash of red that complements the red date wheel beautifully. That’s finished with a brushed stainless steel latch, which ensures everything stays secure, either under the cuff of your work shirt or over the top of your diving suit.
Serica Ref. 5330 pricing and availability
The Serica 5330 is now available for pre-order via the Time+Tide Shop. Watches will be available at the Melbourne, London, and New York Studios from May 2026 onwards. Price: US$1,990 ex VAT
| Brand | Serica |
| Model | Ref. 5330 Dive Chronometer |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 12.2mm (T) x 46.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 300 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Double-domed sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Matte black, red date window |
| Bracelet | Vesper stainless steel bracelet, Serica PLD white/red elastic nylon strap |
| Movement | Soprod M100, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$1,990 |