February 1st, 2026

Ahhhhhh the @scurfawatches Bell Diver 1 in badass black PVD. In my opinion, it’s the toughest Scurfa in the line up! I know that this watch can handle the cold and frozen environment here because Paul tests his watches in the harsh North Sea. Paul being a commercial diver gives Scurfa watches a deeper authenticity. This is Bell Diver 1 in PVD has such a great look to it. The red accent add to its refined yet menacing appearance.

I always look forward to getting hands on with a Scurfa watch. I reviewed my first Bell Diver 1 ten years ago. It’s cool to see how some things remained consistent while other details were improved upon. The first notable detail is the crown. It feels much more substantial in both size and how it operates. I appreciate how smooth it functions. I was out in below zero temperatures for these pics and I easily was able to unscrew & screw down the crown with gloved hands.

Case Size: 43mm – Lug to Lug 51mm and 15.5mm thick,
22mm between lugs.
Case Material: 316L surgical grade black PVD.
Crown: 8mm screw down crown with 3 gasket seals
Valve: Heliox escape valve – tested by Scurfa at
different depths and gas mixtures, deepest
decompression 154 metres to the surface.
Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with blue anti
reflective coating on the underside.
Depth Rating: 500m ~ 1640ft
Lume: Grade A Super Luminova SL-BGW9 on the dial, hands and bezel insert (glows blue).
Bezel: Ceramic bezel insert with matching SL-BGW9
fully lumed markers, bezel insert is protected
by the shape of the bezel ring.
Movement: Miyota 9015 automatic movement.
Dial: Black dial with steel markers, steel
hour and minute hands and red
second hand.
Case Back: Each Bell Diver 1 features unique case back artwork by ex Stolt Comex Diver John (Jock)
Patterson. In 2013 John was awarded best
global artist award in Vienna and his belief in
his artwork flourished.
Strap: Fitted with a durable stainless steel bracelet
with folding clasp. Also included is a
matching Scurfa Watches durable rubber
strap.
Strap Width: 22mm

February 8th, 2026

Scurfa Sunday with the Vader aka Bell Diver 1. I love how the PVD gives the BD1 a completely different look and feel. It definitely has a menacing feel and vibe, almost like a phantom menace. What really stands out for me on this watch is the dial, particularly the hands. The shape and the finish on these hands is phenomenal. It always blows my mind how Scurfa packs so much of these types of details onto their watches yet the prices are so ridiculously affordable. It truly is an amazing feat. I got my first Scurfa over 10 years ago and it is amazing to see what a cult following Scurfa has amassed over those years. They sell out pretty much instantly so you have to be quick on the draw to secure one.

The dial is extremely legible at quick glance, and that legibility is not only apparent in day light but it is also apparent in dark environments because of the Grade A Super Luminova SL-BGW9. It’s not only on the hands but it’s also used on the dial and bezel insert. The beautiful glow of the blue is something to behold!

I like the subtle use of red on this dial. It’s just enough detail to add to the darkness that is the entire watch. My appreciation for black cases is something that started quite recently when taken in terms of how long I have been a fan of stainless steel, titanium and bronze watches. What I love about how black cases age is as the dark coating starts to show wear & tear, the case material starts to peel through which adds more depth and character to the watch.

What I would love to see Scurfa offer is an option for a matte black bezel insert for those of us who prefer matte finish details. It would nicely match the dial and case. The steel markers, the white Scurfa name/logo and the red accents all come together nicely on this dial which is viewed perfectly through the domed sapphire crystal. To help keep viewing this dial with ease and without glare, Scurfa uses a blue anti reflective coating on the underside of the crystal.

February 15th, 2026

Scurfa Sunday is upon us my friends. Though Monday is tomorrow, let us rejoice regardless. The Bell Diver 1 was already a badass watch but adding in the PVD and it gives this watch a nice sinister appearance, a Sith appearance. This watch is appropriately nicknamed named the Vader.

I love the dark case teamed with the caseback. The caseback art was created by ex-Comex diver and award winning artist Jock Patterson. It’s pretty badass that Paul is a commercial diver and his watch features artwork from a Comex diver. There’s an added magic on Scurfa watches.

Yes I know that some of you are surprised that this watch is still on the bracelet. It’s a good bracelet. At this price point it is what you would expect. I reliable bracelet that gets the job done with no added bells or whistles. The links on the bracelet are 22mm wide x 3.5mm thick.
The total weight of the watch on the bracelet is 218.9. The links on the bracelet are removed by removing the pins so you can easily size the bracelet. I would personally prefer that the links were secured by screws for added security but that’s just a personal preference. If you can’t get the right fit by removing the links then you can use the micro adjustment with the buckle. There’s a button that you push and then can pull the extension out to fine tune the fit. The extension works extremely smoothly as does the buttons located on the sides of the clasp.

The bracelet definitely dresses up the Bell Diver but if bracelets aren’t your thing, Scurfa includes a rubber strap as well. If rubber or bracelets aren’t your thing either, then custom straps work beautifully on this watch as well. When I was done shooting these pics I put the BD-1 on a custom leather Gunny strap. So damn good!

February 22nd, 2026

The stealth version of the Bell Diver 1 is pure badassery. It looks so damn good on this @gunnystraps There is something about a @scurfawatches on a custom leather strap that is so pure and good!

Scurfa makes quintessential beaters for two types of watch enthusiasts. One type appreciate accuracy. They appreciate that precise timing of quartz. The other type of enthusiast that Scurfa makes watches for are the people like myself, the purist. The people who appreciate a mechanical heartbeat that is full of soul. One group isn’t better than the other, they are just inherently different. It’s awesome that Scurfa recognizes that there are different groups of enthusiasts and offers watches for everyone.

Scurfa tests their watches firsthand in the North Sea. This not only adds legitimacy but also adds peace of mind. These watches won’t break your wallet but having that peace of mind knowing that they can handle the daily abuse makes them priceless.

March 1st, 2026

Paul definitely knows how to give us a watch that can handle every day abuse without busting the wallet. A watch that is packed full of details. A killer caseback, a signed screwdown crown( 8mm screw down crown with 3 gaskets and the BD1 logo) , a tough PVD case…and a cool little valve. Valve you ask?!? Yes a valve. A Heliox escape valve is built into the watch case. This has been thoroughly tested by Paul himself at different depths and gas mixtures, deepest decompression 154 metres to the surface. It’s that Scurfa authenticity that adds to the magic of their watches.

The lume on this watch is pretty damn good too. I love that the bezel and the dial received the lume treatment. Grade A Super Luminova SL-BGW9 is used on the dial, hands and bezel insert, which glows blue in the dark. The dial is viewed so well in both light and dark environments thanks to its sapphire crystal window! It’s a domed sapphire crystal that has a nice treatment of blue anti reflective coating on the underside.

March 8th, 2026

Sunrises on a #scurfasunday and the last of the Scurfa watches with an automatic movement. Paul has stated that the Bell Diver 1 will be the last Scurfa offered with an automatic movement. The @scurfawatches Bell Diver 1 aka the Darth Vader, is a total treat. I am looking forward to seeing some wear and tear on this watch. It will happen, it’s just a matter of time.

The sword hands definitely have caught and held my attention. The handset is an example of when a company does hands right. A friend of mine is selling one of his watches. The case, the crown and the dial are badass but the handset ruins the watch. The hands are way too small and short. A complete mismatch. I preach this all the time, the hands on a watch can make or break a watch. A classic case of deal or no deal! Scurfa absolutely nailed the handset choice for this watch.

I am stoked by how well this @gunnystraps . The rich brown tones nicely complement the PVD case. Inspired by the authentic piece of Mario Arillo (Commander of the Italian Submarine Ambra 1942), the Arillo straps were created to look the same. It is Dark brownish vintage and has intentional cuts in some areas. All are crafted by hand. This is one interesting story to tell. The Arillo straps are not just the typical vintage strap, it is inspired by the authentic piece that was worn by Mario Arillo, who was the commander of the Italian submarine Ambra, in 1942. Mario Arillo was wearing the Panerai 6152/1 with a distressed brown leather strap attached to it, during his mission on the North African coast. I love how a strap can add so much more character to a watch. This is the perfect example of just that!

Ten years ago I reviewed the Bell Diver 1, a watch that I was impressed with, and today I am impressed by this newest Bell Diver 1. An extremely affordable watch that is packed full of great details.

March 15th, 2026

Such a cool caseback needs to be the lead shot. I was not prepared for the wind and cold. Under-geared in terms of my outdoor gear. Thankfully the Scurfa was prepared and handled itself perfectly. When it comes to affordable quintessential beaters, Scurfa will always be on that list.

Ten years ago, I was fortunate enough to review the Bell Diver 1. That Scurfa impressed me back then, with all of its details for such an affordable price point. Ten years later, her we are and I am still impressed. Over time, just about 3 decades to be exact and after experiences well over a thousand watches & countless brands, I have become less and less impressed by things. So when I am impressed, it’s something that is a special occasion. This Scurfa Bell Diver impresses me because there are so many details packed into it. There’s a reason why Scurfa always sells out of their watches quickly. It’s not just my opinion, the selling out speaks louder volumes as a testament to how awesome their beaters are.

If you are considering buying a Scurfa and you see one in stock on their website, snatch it up immediately. It’s an affordable buy and for whatever reason you don’t bond with it, it’s an easy flip.