The Swiss brand Davosa is what I would call a full-cycle watch brand.
It offers every style, various materials, men's and women's watches, quartz and mechanical. You can assemble an entire collection from Davosa watches and likely remain satisfied, although perhaps without standout pieces. That's why I advocate for watches that are 'nothing special'. Watches that meet all the requirements but do not astound or surprise. Watches at a reasonable price, well-made, but never taking center stage. These are the watches that, in the end, most people are likely to acquire. One of the brand's latest models, exemplifying watches that are nothing special, is the Davosa Argonautic 39, a downsized version of the existing Argonautic model, which features a simple design, unpretentious technical specifications, and a pleasant feel on the wrist.
The case of the Davosa Argonautic 39 actually measures 39.5 mm, though I suppose '39.5' doesn’t look or sound as good. The case is perhaps one of the most unassuming designs you can find in divers. No polishing, no bevels, just matte surfaces. Yet where many slab-sided watches look thick, Davosa maintains a modest wrist presence. Despite the lack of any design elements in the case that provide visual slimness, the 12-mm case (not a trifle for 39.5 mm watches) never feels too tall or thick.
It remains somewhat bulky due to the almost square lugs and angular crown, but this only adds to its functional and robust aesthetic. This aesthetic is reinforced by a hardening coating that makes the watch virtually scratch-resistant. The lugs are also square, borrowed from classic divers, although the watch has a water resistance of 200 m and crown guards, so they do not fall into the diver category.
The ceramic bezel deserves special attention. It immediately impressed me, but not because of the deep blue color of the ceramics and its perfect blend with the dial, nor the brightness of the luminescent coating. Rather, it’s about the most important component of any bezel - ease of operation. The bezel here is easy to grip and turn, with a pleasing audible and tactile click and almost no play. I have reviewed many divers, and this bezel is among the best. Slightly less stellar is the bracelet, which has a general feel from the end links all around to the clasp (where you find the only polishing on the watch).
It features a folding extension and several holes for fine adjustment, but it turned out to be a step below what I expected, given the build of the rest of the watch; the end links don't even have quick-release pins. For this reason, I wore the watch on various straps. Due to the large lugs, the Argonautic doesn’t look great with very thin straps (and I don’t wear NATO), but I found the watch feels excellent on various straps, from canvas to rubber and leather.
The dial of this version of the Argonautic 39 has a deep blue color, matching the bezel. What I like about these watches, aside from the dial, is the cleanliness throughout. There is no clutter here, and it seems like everything has enough space to breathe. What I like most is the brushing on the indices and hands. There are many watches with fully matte cases or at least cases done in a 'tool-first' style, but paired with polished hands and indices. This creates a design dissonance. In this case, the matte hands and indices with Super-LumiNova BGW9 luminescent coating match the robust case and create the feeling that every detail of the watch is crafted specifically for outdoor use.
The deep blue color of the dial is a comfortable shade for any watch enthusiast, perhaps second only to black (boring) in popularity. The contrast between the white/steel markers and hands and the dial ensures excellent readability, while the bright and even luminescent glow aids in low-light conditions. The Davosa Argonautic 39 in a steel case with a ceramic bezel is also available in green and black colors, as well as in a two-tone case in blue and black colors and a steel bezel in white and black colors. The blue here is beautiful, but I would probably be just as happy with the green or white steel rim.
The Davos Argonautic 39 is equipped with the DAV 3021 movement. The specifications led me to open the case back to ensure it was a Sellita SW200-1 movement. This automatic Swiss caliber has a minimum power reserve of 38 hours (41 hours on average) at 28,800 vibrations per hour. As far as I know, Davosa is not a movement manufacturer. I am not aware of it ever modifying a movement for one of its models, apart from the rotor (which this watch has). Perhaps if it were a chronometer, I would understand, but rebranding the watch purely for marketing purposes is not something I like to see. The SW200-1 is an excellent movement, and any brand in this price range should proudly boast of using it.
Nothing special doesn’t mean nothing good, and the Argonautic is proof of that. To create reliable and quality watches, you don’t need flashy cases or wild colors, and the Argonautic provides an excellent experience, slightly let down by an average bracelet. What perhaps truly brought these watches to life for me, beyond their appeal, is how easily I could change straps and enjoy additional flashes of color. This, perhaps, is the true allure of Nothing Special watches: an almost blank canvas that can match with anything. The price for the Davosa Argonautic 39 starts at 949 USD. For more information, visit the Davosa website.