We’ve been able to review a number of different watches from Roebuck (you can see those here), and we recently got to spend some time with their latest, the dual-crowned Roebuck Ranger.
If you’re familiar with what Roebuck has been making, you might catch that the case for the Roebuck Ranger is the same one that was used in the Diviso. In that review, we called out the lack of screw-down crowns, and that’s still the case here on this watch. Now, we did ask about that, and here’s what we know. For one, the gaskets inside will help the case maintain that 100m WR rating, so no issue there.
Where you might have concern is in bumping that top crown, and thereby knocking your timing off. I did see it drift here and there over the course of the day. The brand has been working with their factory, and they’ve gotten things as close as they can at the moment. They then had one disassembled by their watchmaker here in the States, and the feeling is that over time, the inner bezel should get less loose over time as it picks up the buildup from daily life and use.
As with the Diviso, I really, really liked the case on the Roebuck Ranger. The way the insets are done, combined with the polishing on the raised edges, just looks amazing in person. When viewed from the dial, you’re greeted a look that is practically all-dial, and here it’s done in a lovely shade of blue. Yes, you’ve got that inner timing bezel, but that feels less pronounced than an external bezel would look. With the white handset indicating against the white numerals, picking up the time at a glance is a cinch.
While I wouldn’t necessarily think of a dual crown watch as being a “Field” watch, the Roebuck Ranger really feels like it wants to go that path. Most of that comes from that camouflage strap, of course, but then it just leads into the solid sensibility of the watch. A steel case, time-only display, and no external bezel. Yes, it’s not a field watch design, but it’s got a lot of the aspects we associate with that style.
Of course, the Roebuck Ranger also reminds me of the first automatic watch I ever owned, a Magrette dual crown, which is a very good place to me, at least in how I think about watches. Just as that Magrette was for me, I think the Roebuck Ranger would make a solid everyday option for someone looking for their first automatic watch. Pricing only strengthens that argument, with it being available with a blue or black dial for $575 direct from roebuckwatchco.com
Tech Specs from Roebuck
- 316L stainless steel case finished with mixed brushed and polished detailing, this is the food/surgical grade stainless steel, also known as marine grade. This ensures the case and buckle will stay corrosion free for decades to come.
- The case features mixed finishes and detailing, the case side has a bead blasted recess with a polished outer frame. The top, lug ends and case back are brushed finish and the bezel is fully polished. All this detailing is hand finished.
- Dimensions: 42mm diameter, 49.7mm lug to lug, 11.9mm thick
- Weight: 99g, 3.45oz
- Water resistance: 10ATM / 100m / 330ft
- Highly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating to the underside. Sapphire crystal is at number 9 on the Mohs hardness scale one behind diamond, which is the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth. This will keep the crystal scratch-free, the most common damage a watch glass sustains.
- Rotating inner chapter ring to use as a timer to track time elapsed or time countdown
- Printed numerals, in BG-W9 Super-Lumonova, a superior lume that is both bright and long-lasting.
- Super-Luminova C1 lume to hands, a superior lume that is both bright and long-lasting.
- Matte-finish dial
- Miyota 9039 automatic no-date movement, featuring a 42-hour power reserve, a high 28,800 vph beat rate for greater accuracy and a smoother sweeping second hand.
- Monogrammed crowns
- 22mm nylon band with camouflage pattern, 316L stainless steel buckle and keepers.
- 22mm tapered Italian leather band with calfskin lining, quick-release spring bars, monogrammed 316L stainless steel buckle
- Each Ranger comes in a handy slide-out travel case
