Watchdives 40mm EXD Titanium (PVD) Review: A Lightweight Tool Diver That Punches Above Its Price

(Disclosure: This article features affiliate links, for more information, click here. Watchdives provided this watch at a discounted price for review purposes.)

This review marks my first time owning a titanium watch, and that alone made the Watchdives 40mm EXD Titanium (black PVD) especially interesting to me. I’ve owned watches from Watchdives before, so I already had a sense of their value-driven approach. This time, I wanted something different: a rugged, lightweight diver I could wear without worrying, travel, gym, daily errands, the works.

From the outset, the EXD positions itself clearly as a practical everyday tool watch, not a luxury statement. And after spending real time with it, that focus becomes obvious in both design and execution.

On my 6.5-inch wrist, the EXD wears just right. The 40mm diameter combined with the sub-48mm lug-to-lug makes it compact enough for smaller wrists while still feeling purpose-built.

The case is made from brushed Grade 2 titanium, and while the execution is clean, this is where my biggest critique lies. On the black PVD version, the brushing can catch light and appear shiny in certain conditions. Personally, I think a sandblasted or matte finish would suit the tool-watch aesthetic far better here, especially for a diver that leans rugged.

The watch comes on a nylon strap with a titanium buckle. I personally ordered this unit with their green and red version for a more distinctive look, while the standard package includes a black and grey option.

While the included nylon strap is comfortable and well made, I ended up switching the watch to a single-pass rubber strap, and honestly, it transformed the watch. The rubber strap gives the EXD a much cleaner, more purposeful tool-watch look, toning down some of the visual busyness of the nylon and better matching the rugged diver aesthetic.

Fixed Lugs… Almost

One of my biggest wishes is for true fixed lugs. Instead, the EXD uses fat spring bars, which are secure but don’t quite deliver the same hardcore tool-watch feel. Fixed lugs would have been the perfect finishing touch for this design.

Bezel and Dial: A Standout at This Price

Enough complaining. Here’s the thing, the bezel is, without exaggeration, the best I’ve experienced in this price range. It features a ceramic insert with full BGW9 lume, and the grip is outstanding. The action is solid, confidence-inspiring, and completely free of backplay.

It’s a 60-click bidirectional bezel rather than the traditional 120-click dive bezel, but in real use, that hasn’t bothered me at all. The tactile feel more than makes up for it.

Lume is another strong point. The BGW9 application is bright and long-lasting. On my specific unit, the lume on the hands is a bit weaker than on the markers after some time, but this hasn’t impacted usability, and I haven’t seen this reported widely by other owners.

Inside is the Seiko VH31 quartz movement. It’s a sensible choice for a watch meant to be grabbed and worn without fuss. The seconds hand has a smooth, sweeping motion, setting is easy, and accuracy is exactly what you’d expect—set it and forget it.

Because it’s quartz, I do wish there were a date version available. Maintenance would still be minimal, and it would add everyday practicality for some users.

Most of my time with the EXD has been spent travelling and at the gym, and it excels in both environments. The light weight keeps it comfortable all day, it stays planted on the wrist during workouts, and the 200-meter water resistance means swimming and showering are non-issues.

Pricing, Availability and Where to Get One

The Watchdives 40mm EXD Titanium (PVD) sits at an extremely competitive price point, coming in at around $170 at the time of writing. At this level, it’s hard to find another titanium dive watch that offers comparable specs, finishing, and real-world usability.

Because it’s sold direct-to-consumer, pricing remains aggressive, and you’re not paying a premium for branding or unnecessary extras. For what you’re getting (a titanium case, ceramic bezel, sapphire crystal, strong lume, and a reliable VH31 quartz movement—the value proposition is hard to beat in this segment.

Verdict

This is a watch made for casual wearers and tool-watch enthusiasts who want something light, durable, and genuinely usable. It’s not dressy, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But as a grab-and-go diver that delivers real value, it’s easy to recommend.

If you’re looking for a capable, lightweight tool watch that doesn’t cost a fortune, look no further.