In the *checks notes* three years since Boldr released their first Venture, they’ve used the Venture as a base for a whole stable of watches alongside the original: chronographs, GMTs, 24-hour subdials, and various limited releases. The crown position would shift around from 4 to 3 to 10, and there would be the addition of slim pushers for the chronograph models, but the case remained easily recognizable from that first release. With the new Venture Diver, adding a bezel adds a whole new avenue for exploration.
The first thing I noticed when I picked up the Venture Diver Green Star is just how light this watch really is. This is my first experience with a fully titanium watch (watch and bracelet), and the weight difference between it and my current field watch (a modded 38mm SNK on shark mesh) is over 15 grams. The Venture Diver is a full 30 grams lighter than a 40mm Tissot PRX, despite the PRX having a quartz movement and a case nearly 2mm thinner.
At 38mm diameter and 44mm lug to lug, this watch is pretty much the perfect size for a compact diver. The bezel adds just under a millimeter to bring the case thickness to 12.8mm, from the original Venture’s thickness of 12mm. The AR-coated sapphire crystal is flat, and the bezel slopes down and away from the center of the case, aiding the impression of a case thinner than the measurements might suggest. The case finish is the bead-blasted matte typical of titanium watches, and the angles around the case and lugs slice down to curve around my 6.5” wrist.
The full titanium bracelet tapers from 20mm at the solid end links to 18mm at the engraved clasp. Its oyster-style links were easy to size thanks to the choice of screws over pins and articulate easily. I ended up taking out 5 of the available 9 removable links, so there’s lots of room in the bracelet to go up or down in size. The end links fit tightly against the case, though I miss having quick-release spring bars. Drilled lugs make up for it somewhat when removing the bracelet, but the end links are a tight fit. I did find myself wishing for a toolless micro-adjustment mechanism on the clasp, but at a sub $500 price for a titanium watch, that’s a big ask. The clasp is laser engraved with the Boldr logo and a topographic design with three micro-adjustment positions (the traditional kind).
The coin-edged bezel is easy to grip without being sharp and turns an easy but satisfying 120 clicks. A matte finish on the aluminum bezel insert matches perfectly with the case and has the benefit of being lighter than the ceramic counterpart. The ridged crown at 4 o’clock is retained from the original Venture Automatic and is just as easy to turn. I think 4 o’clock is an underrated crown position, especially for tool watches. By keeping it away from the widest part of the case, the crown can be big enough to manipulate easily while not being at risk of digging into your hand or getting snagged.
Aptly named the Green Star, the dial, handset, and bezel insert all feature various shades of green. The greens are an excellent palette giving an outdoorsy, active feel to the watch without being so overpowering that the green becomes the defining characteristic. One thing I really love about this watch is how the same color repeats on different elements. For example, the lighter portion of the bezel is echoed in the tip of the second hand, and the dark portion of the bezel is carried forward in the dial text, minute hand, and crown.
The hands themselves have been updated to sword hands, and the second hand has gained a custom Boldr counterweight. That, plus the rounded, lumed indices on the dial, create a very clean and modern look. A Mminty pastel green on the dial contrasts well with the bezel and hands. Its style is distinctive yet readable. A thick coat of SuperLume (the Japanese competitor to the Swiss Superluminova) on the hands, markers, and bezel, lights up at the slightest provocation. The following picture was taken with no preparation, just sitting facing a window for a day.
I kept the strap swapping to mostly neutral colors since my personal collection of 20mm straps doesn’t run to green. That being said, because there’s a whole rainbow of green on the watch, you don’t need to worry about getting the perfect color match. Fair warning, the lug holes are quite tight to the case, so thicker NATO straps might be an issue. I didn’t have any trouble swapping in a black silicone strap, however. If green isn’t your color, the Staghorn takes the palette in a very nice burnt orange direction.
Under the hood is the Seiko NH35A, the no-date version of the venerable NH35. Moving to the no-date version and avoiding a ghost position in the crown was definitely the right move. The watch has everything you need for summer fun and nothing you don’t. The light weight won’t slow you down, the color will be stylish in the mountains or on the beach, and the design is legible and eye-catching. For $449, this watch is begging you to venture out and dive into a new adventure, or start up the grill. Head on over to Boldr’s website to pick up yours in time for the start of summer.
