Traska Chronograph “Tungsten Gray” Review
Let’s get one thing straight early on. The Traska Chronograph is not trying to beat the usual suspects at their own game. It is trying to change the game entirely. And for the most part, it actually does.
This is Traska’s first chronograph, and instead of playing it safe, the Florida based brand has gone in a very different direction. The Tungsten Gray variant is the only colourway, and it feels intentional. Monochromatic, restrained, and quietly technical.
Design: Familiar, Until It Isn’t
At a glance, this looks like a classic sports chronograph. Steel case, tachymeter bezel, twin registers. You could almost mistake it for something far more traditional.
Then you look closer.
The biggest talking point is the dial. Instead of standard subdials with hands, Traska uses rotating transparent discs. The elapsed minutes and running seconds are displayed via these discs moving over a fixed red indicator line.
It sounds gimmicky. It isn’t.
It is actually one of the more interesting executions we have seen in this segment in years. It adds motion, depth, and just enough intrigue without becoming unreadable. That said, it is not perfect. The monochromatic approach can flatten things slightly, and some will want more contrast.
Still, compared to the endless sea of Daytona adjacent layouts, this feels like a genuine step forward.
Case and Build: Quietly Overengineered
Traska has built its reputation on durability, and this watch leans heavily into that.
Hardened stainless steel case
Tungsten bezel for added scratch resistance
75m water resistance
The tungsten bezel is worth pausing on. It is not something you see often at this price point, and it brings both a visual and functional edge. It is tougher, more scratch resistant, and gives the watch its signature grey tone.
At 39mm and around 13.75mm thick, it lands in a very wearable sweet spot for an automatic chronograph.
The finishing is also worth noting. Brushed surfaces dominate, with polished accents adding just enough lift. It feels considered, not flashy.
Movement: Smart Choices Over Spec Sheet Flex
Inside, you get the Seiko NE86.
That might not sound exciting on paper, but it is actually a very deliberate choice.
Column wheel chronograph
Vertical clutch
Slimmer than many Swiss alternatives
These are not throwaway features. They directly impact how the watch performs. You get smoother pusher action, less wear over time, and the ability to run the chronograph continuously without issues.
In short, this is a tool movement for a tool watch.
Credit - Traska
Wearability: Where It Wins
This is where the Traska quietly excels.
Despite being a chronograph, it wears more like a time only sports watch. The proportions are tight, the bracelet is well engineered, and the overall feel is more refined than the spec sheet suggests.
The tapered bracelet, tool less micro adjust, and general attention to ergonomics make it one of those watches that disappears on the wrist in the best possible way.
It is built to be worn daily, not rotated occasionally.
Value: A Lot of Watch for the Money
At around $1,650, this sits in a very competitive bracket.
You are up against established Swiss names, many of which lean on heritage rather than innovation. Traska flips that. It offers:
A genuinely unique dial execution
High spec movement architecture
Above average durability
Strong everyday usability
It is not perfect. The dial will divide opinion, and if you want something traditional, this is not it.
But if you want something different, it is hard to ignore.
Winding Things Up
The Traska Chronograph Tungsten Gray feels like a brand stepping out of its comfort zone and getting it right.
It keeps the core Traska DNA intact, durability, usability, restraint, but adds a layer of creativity that most microbrands never attempt.
Is it for everyone? No.
Is it one of the most interesting chronographs under £1500? Very possibly.
And more importantly, it does something rare. It gives you a reason to look twice.
