Back in January 2020, I took my first look at the Roebuck Diviso. Although it was still in prototype form at the time, I enjoyed this race-themed watch and it has done well for the brand. Today, I have a new variant, the Roebuck Diviso Tread.
As this sample is nearly identical to the one featured in my original review, I’ll just hit the highlights. Like the prototype I had before, this Diviso wears the iconic blue and orange Gulf Oil racing colors. The vertical ribs flanking the orange center stripe on the dial are perhaps the watch’s most striking feature, creating lovely variations on the silvery-blue surface. Polished hands and markers are filled with bright BGW9 lume.
The Diviso’s stainless steel case is 42mm wide, 49.7mm long, and 11.9mm thick. Water resistance is 100m, and it features an AR-coated sapphire crystal. You will find a combination of finishes here: brushing on most surfaces, bright polishing on the bezel and chamfers, and deep scallops in the case sides blasted matte. A carbon fiber bezel insert underscores the motorsports connection. Interestingly for a racing-themed watch, the Diviso features an inner, rotating bezel like you would find on a compressor-style diver.
Around the back is a solid lid bearing the image of the Round Rock, Texas water tower. A no-date Miyota 9039 automatic works beneath with a smooth 28.8k bhp sweep.
Where the Diviso Tread departs from the usual model is in the choice of strap. Both the standard Diviso and the Diviso Tread come equipped with a perfectly nice, if somewhat conservative, Italian leather strap. It is 22mm well made and has a signed 20mm buckle but it does make one wonder if the watch couldn’t be improved with something a bit racier. Of course, the obvious choice would be a drilled or perforated rally strap, but given the Diviso’s distinctive case and dial, it really begs for a strap that is just as unique.
Enter the Tread.
Roebuck has commissioned a sturdy leather strap imprinted with a stamped tire tread pattern. I’ve owned molded rubber tire patterned straps but leather is always my first choice for a watch strap and the effect is quite different. When one thinks of a tire, zig-zag grooves tend to spring to mind but Roebuck wisely went with a less literal interpretation, instead choosing a curved chevron pattern like that found on F1 or GT intermediate wet tires. It suggests a racing tire without hitting you over the head with it. The Tread strap shares the same dimensions as the standard one and the buckle can be used with both.
While the thick leather and minimal stitching lend it a properly sporting flair, this strap is in no way rough or unfinished. The sides are waxed, the underside lined, and quick-release pins are a thoughtful touch. Roebuck offers it in either brown or black.
At $550, the Diviso Tread carries a $50 premium over its standard strap stablemate and I’d say it is well worth it. Ordering the Tread gets you both straps so you can swap at will, but I think you will find the sporty wet tire version suits the Diviso best, leaving you with a rather nice spare strap whether you want to change it up or just upgrade a different watch.
If you’ve been considering a Diviso, head on over to RoebuckWatchCo.com and check out the Tread. It’s the finishing touch for an already satisfying watch.
