These days in the watch world in which we immerse ourselves into, there are a multitude of watch companies. New companies pop up faster now than I can ever remember, whether it’s at the nano, micro or fundraising level. I feel bad for the companies that get it and are on the right, but unfortunately don’t make it. By get it, I mean understand what it takes to deliver a positive watch experience. That experience isn’t just about the watch either, it’s about customer service and also having an open ear to hear what your customers are suggesting. Taking those suggestions and infusing them into the watch itself. This is the path that Eric Yeh owner of Havaan Tuvali appears to be on. Today we will be exploring together his sophomore release, the Code Zero-6 diver.

Of course you see pictures of the watch before ordering it, but there are no replacements for when you handle a watch in person for the first time. The watch arrived on the stainless steel bracelet, so initial handling of this piece, it has a nice real solid weight and feel to it. There is nothing like the feel of a substantial stainless steel case and bracelet combo. Like the bracelet, the case is also a combination of brushed and polished finish. The 43mm x 15mm square shaped case has rounded edges and shorter lugs which allows Snapper II to wear smaller than the dimensions suggest. Now there is something interesting about the lugs finish that I am not 100% sure about. The majority of this case is brushed finished, but the entire lug are mirror polished. The lugs are short enough and are tucked into the case enough where they are well protected from getting beat up which is definitely a good thing, but I am not sure from a finish style perspective how I feel about the choice of mirror finish.

The ion-plated bezel looks great with it’s matte finish which I find very attractive. I prefer a more tool looking watch, than a dressier looking watch from a design perspective. The is a little difficult to grip initially and there is a touch of extra play in the bezel than I prefer. The bezel does give way to the awesome double-domed sapphire crystal, which is treated with AR. A double-domed sapphire crystal is a must in my book on a diver watch, there’s nothing can come close in comparison. There is a helium escape valve located on the non-crown side of the case and located on the opposite side of the case at the 10 o’clock position is a signed, screw down style crown. Because of the nice finished edges on the crown, it is easy to grip and operate. The crown extends pretty far when it is unscrewed and pulled to the furthest open position. It doesn’t inhibit the function of the crown by any means.

Havaan Tuvali totally got the case back right on the Code-6 watch. I am an absolute sucker for old dive helmets and I am a sucker for a solid case back. When a watch has an interesting case back, like this one does, I find myself taking off the watch periodically throughout the day just to admire the “artwork”.

Flipping over the watch to the dial side is where this watch really gets interesting. When I first saw pictures of this watch I thought that the semi circle in the center of the dial was just a design. When I actually got to explore this watch in person is when I realized what this semi circle was really for. Its a temperature gauge, a real functional temperature gauge. I think this is a very unique feature and a very useful one. I am not a rely on a smart phone person for the time and temperature, and actually I don’t even own a cell phone. Having a temperature gauge on your watch is very useful especially in cold temperatures. I do spend a lot of my free time hiking, climbing, in the woods, typically alone. Paying attention to the temperature is critical especially in the real cold temperature where small time exposure to the cold can be very harmful to exposed skin and just to the body function in general, frostbite, hypothermia. The temperature gauge can also prove useful when diving, the colder the water temperature, the more energy your body will use at a quicker rate.

I went with the orange dial and I must say it is absolutely beautiful in person. I do love matte black dials, but this orange ranks right up there. It gives the Code-6 fantastic wrist presence and great legibility. I love when a watch is a combination of form and function, it really creates a horoligical art piece that is an absolute joy to wear on the wrist. The Code-6 is a two hand watch, a two hand watch in terms of “standard” size hands. The hands are sized well in terms of length and width, and larger and they would inhibit the temperature gauge. There is a seconds hand but it is on the small seconds dial located at the 8 o’clock position. This dial and hands has a generous serving of Superluminova C3 that allows continued legibility in low light and dark situations.

The Code-6 watch is definitely a dive watch that offers something different than the norm. I really respect that design choice that Eric decided to do. At $550 you get a nice value package. The watch is well executed, especially considering that this is just Havaan Tuvali’s second release. There is room for improvement, nothing though that I would consider a deal breaker. Like I mentioned earlier in this review I truly believe that Eric is heading in the right direction, and I have witnessed this with his two releases and witnessed the improvements just between the two already. If you are looking for a dive watch that has something different to offer, the Code-6 might be that watch that you are looking for.

I want to personally thank you all for reading this review. As always your questions and comments are welcome below.

Thank you to Eric Yeh and Havaan Tuvali.

SPECIFICATION
Movement – Swiss sellita SW290-1 automatic movement
Case – Surgical grade 316L stainless steel case w/ helium escape valve
Size – 43mm diameter, 15mm thickness, 52mm lug to lug
Bezel – Unidirectional ion-plated 316L stainless steel bezel
Crystal – Double-domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Dial – Superluminova C3 hands and hour markers, 8 o’clock sub seconds, center temperature indicators
Strap – 22mm stainless steel bracelet / rubber strap / mm parachute strap
Water resistance – 800m / 2625ft