April 2nd, 2026

Last Friday I saw a post from Greg Stevens Design’s Instagram and it was for this watch, an ammo can converted into a watch/strap box, a pocket knife and a leather GSD pocket knife holder. I couldn’t resist. I bought it. All of that stuff for $660! As Greg will tell you, him and I have been trying to make something happen for years(probably over a decade), but it just never did happen. I’ve been a huge fan of his straps. I am stoked now because not only do I have a strap, but a watch, ammo can watch box and a leather knife sheath. That was until this past Friday. The selling point for me were all the extras, I am a sucker for stuff. I wanted a good box that would keep my watches in protected order on my outdoor adventures and photo shoots. He even sent me his personal watch to check out from his new 6 series.

First impressions of the watches? First let me establish what category I would place these watches in. I would definitely place them in the Scurfa, Boldr, Isotope, Resco category. It’s what I would classify as an affordable, quintessential beater. The domed crystal is what caught my attention first and foremost. There’s something magical about a domed crystal and it’s a detail that will always pull my horological heartstrings.

Specs:
42mm case width
22mm lugs
50mm lug to lug distance, approx.
12mm thick excluding crystal, 12.8mm with crystal
WR to 300M
Superluminova on the dials and hands for superior low-light visibility
domed sapphire crystal
Available in three different case finishes—stainless steel, PVD, and CuSn8 bronze (bronze is sold out)
Powered by the Swiss/Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement

https://www.gregstevensdesign.com

April 9th, 2026

I’ve been on a black case kick ever since owning the Kobold Seal for a hot minute. I am looking forward watching this case age. I really like how this case has drilled lugs and this domed crystal. Two of my favorite details on a watch. I know the price point of this watch, but I would have loved to see screw bars to take the ruggedness a step further on this beater! The bezel aesthetics are spot on. The red triangle around the lume pip is a nice tie-in detail to the dial. The bezel functions well and lines up as it should with the dial markers. The bezel is smooth but remember the price point. That being said, this bezel functions like a lot of watches I owned well above this price point.

I like the crown position on this watch. The crown is on the small side for what I am accustomed to. I wish it was a bit bigger so gripping it would be easier. There’s no way I could operate this crown with gloves on. Pulling the crown out to set the time is also difficult. I can’t pinpoint if it’s the size of the crown’s fault or with the stem. Setting the time and manually winding the watch is down with smooth fluidity though.

I commend Greg for using a solid case back for this watch. We definitely don’t need to see the automatic movement. We know what the Swiss/Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement looks like. The matte finish on the case is absolutely perfect. It’s going to look so good when this case starts wearing and the stainless steel starts peeking through.

When buying a watch at this price point you can’t expect getting a watch that feels like a $6k watch. I notice that a lot of people bitch and complain about $600 watches like they should be on par with luxury retail brands. You can’t go into a watch purchase with unrealistic expectations. That said, this watch definitely holds its own against brands like Resco, Aegir, Boldr, Gruppo Gamma, Zelos, Raven, and Nodus.

April 16th, 2026

Thursday aka mini-Friday! I am thoroughly enjoying this watch. The GSD-5 from @gregstevensdesign ! This matte black dial with the classic 12, 3, 6, 9 numerals is so damn good from both a legibility standpoint and from a pure aesthetic standpoint. There is something so pure and beautiful about this classic layout. What I like about Greg’s design choices for this dial is that he not only kept it classic but he also kept it bare bones. I love how he did the text on this dial. It adds depth but also allows for a clean look. If it were printed white text it would have completely changed the dynamics of this dial. Of course I am a fan of the no date dial as well. Date windows are not a dealbreaker for me but no date dials are enhanced goodness for me.

The hands on this watch are a great match. They are proportioned to this dial with precision, in terms of both length and width. The lume treatment on both the hands and the numerals allow for the great legibility to be extended to dark/low light environments. The way I purchased this watch with the ammo can watch case, the pocket knife and knife holder, and strap changing tools,
all make this one of the best $600 values I’ve purchased in a very long time! Any watch at this price point has stiff competition with this kit.

The crystal is the perfect window for looking into this dial. I love how this crystal adds to the overall aesthetics of this watch. I am not surprised that I really like this watch based upon how much I have built an appreciation of Greg’s straps. He has a meticulous eye and talent for making some incredible straps so the transition into watches not only makes sense but the fact that the watches are on par with his straps isn’t unexpected.

April 24th, 2026

The GSD 5 series is a pleasant surprise. I know that Greg makes a great strap and has a cult following, but watches are different. What surprises me about the GSD and the 6 series is how the watches are an extension of his straps. Usually a strap extends the personality of the watch. Adds character. Greg is a different story here. His watches are an extension of his strap’s character, charm and badassery. I owned and reviewed watches from other strapmakers turned watch brands. They didn’t manage to capture the magic of the straps in their watches. Greg definitely achieved this with his watches.

There’s a spoiled perspective in the watch community. I am definitely guilty of it, and I see it from others on a daily basis in the watch community. We become spoiled as we delve deeper into our own watch journeys. We start to want every watch to be our perfect. It’s not only unrealistic but it’s always something that isn’t fair to watch brands. Had I stumbled upon this watch 30 years ago, I would have considered it absolutely perfect and the most badass watch I have experienced. To some people this may be the case today with this watch. Now I am not excusing watches that have shitty quality/quality control, I am simply saying that each watch comes from a different place. I would never compare my SeL Omnidiver to one of Greg’s watches. Does that mean Greg’s watches are inferior or should receive less recognition?!? Absolutely not. This watch is simply from a different place and intended for different use. I would grab this watch and hike with it, swim in the river with it, change the oil in my Jeep with it. I wouldn’t grab this watch for a situation where hard impacts were present.

The moral of the story is that we need to understand where a watch is from so that we can appreciate it for what it is, not compare it for what it’s not. We are too quick to criticize and don’t take the time to understand why a watch was made and what it encompasses.

April 30th, 2026

This field diver is a great option in the overcrowded sub $1k watch market. What separates Greg from a large percentage is he doesn’t claim any bullshit. He lays the specs out, the price and his background as a strap maker. No smoke and mirrors stupidity.

This watch has a lot to offer at the price point. I am glad I bought this watch. Yes, the extras included in the special Greg was running helped sway my decision. When I got this watch and have been spending time with it, the more I appreciate what it is. I mentioned earlier in my review about the brands this watch is on par with. Brands I respect and appreciate their watches.

You all know how much I love over-engineered tool watches but I also love affordable beaters that are easy to grab & go with. The GSD 5 series is that workshop watch. The watch you wear when you are getting your hands dirty. Wearing watches that I don’t have to second guess or worry about, forget about until I need them. That’s my wearing style. This watch definitely fits in with how I abuse my watches from wear and tear.

Last I read, Greg said that he had the means of putting more of these GSD 5 series kits that he can put together. To remind you it comes with this watch and strap, the ammo can converted into a watch box/strap box, a pocket knife and a GSD leather knife sheath. A kickass value if you ask me.

May 10th, 2026

I am impressed with the value of this watch and kit. I’ve been in this hobby for just about 3 decades. Yes I am jaded with certain things, but what I am about to say isn’t from that jaded place. When you are involved with something for a long time, the times that you get surprised by things gets less and less. It’s just the nature of the beast. The flipside to that is, when I am surprised by something, it makes it that much more special and authentic. This watch surprises me because of the details, the quality, the price and what I got with the whole package. I am extremely satisfied with this offering from Greg. I urge others to ask about the ammo can, knife package. $660 USD for a quality watch, a custom strap, an ammo can that was converted a watch box/strap/EDC holder. It also came with a pocket knife, leather knife holder, strap tools…..Try to find a better deal out there right now. Especially with gas prices 🫠🫠🫠

After seeing Greg’s straps since his start, I finally can say that I have experienced his work. He is a talented artist with strap making. His watches are good quality. And he is an absolute professional when dealing with. He is definitely an asset to the industry and community! If you have been contemplating trying one of his straps or watches, they are definitely worth it. Definitely one of the best values I have purchased in a long time. I highly recommend Greg’s products. His watches are on par with brands like Resco, Nodus, Boldr, Raven…..to give you an idea of where GSD falls into.

Thanks Greg and thanks to you all for reading!