Draken Tugela 3.0
Manufacturer: Draken Watches | Price: $410 USD (£295 GBP, €340 EUR)
I reviewed the Draken Tugela 2.0 back in October 2019. It was the blue LE model and I really thought it was a fantastic offering from Draken Watches. Its tool watch aesthetic with outstanding build quality, is very reminiscent of the quality found on the Zelos Swordfish, as well as the HELM Vanuatu. If you’re a bit of a microbrand addict like myself, then you’ll know that’s very high praise indeed! Fast forward to the present day, Draken have released their Tugela 3.0, although when I heard they were releasing a WatchGauge exclusive model in white, I couldn’t send out an email quick enough to John Keil over at WatchGauge, to try and get one in for review before they’re all sold out, as this Shaka Edition that I have here today has a very limited run of just 50. At the time of writing this review, I believe there are less than 10 left!
Specifications
- Dimensions: Case – 41.8mm, Thickness – 13.5mm, Lug to Lug – 47.8mm, Lug Width – 22mm
- Movement: Seiko SII NH35A, 21,600vph, 3Hz, Hackable, Self Winding, 41hr Power Reserve
- Case Material: Bead-Blasted 316L Stainless Steel
- Bezel: 120 Click Unidirectional, Aluminium Insert, Fully Lumed
- Dial: Zulu Beadwork Style Indices, Lumed Date at 6, Fully Lumed Dial, Sword Hands
- Bracelet: Bead-Blasted 316L Stainless Steel, Push Pins, Female End Links, Milled Clasp
- Crystal: Domed Sapphire, Underside Anti-Reflective Coatings
- Lume: Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 & X1-C3
- Water Resistance: 300m / 30ATM / 990ft
- Caseback: Screw Down, Punch Engraved Draken Artwork
- Crown: 7mm, Screw Down, Signed, Lumed Logo
- Weight: 191g (Sized up for my 6¾″ wrist)
- Where to Buy: WatchGauge
- Warranty: 2 Years International
Draken Tugela 3.0 Colourways
WatchGauge - Introduction
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Case & Crown
The case of the Draken Tugela 3.0 has an overall diameter of 41.8mm. The lug to lug is slightly compact at 47.8mm and the overall thickness, including the domed sapphire crystal, I measured in at a very reasonable 13.5mm. The entire case, caseback, bezel, crown and bracelet are all bead-blasted 316L stainless steel, with not a hint of polishing to be found anywhere. I’ll also add to that, I really like this approach, as it gives the entire watch a really rugged, fuck you kind of appearance. There might not be different types of finishing however, there are chamfered edges everywhere, from the lugs to the crown guards and on each and every link of the excellent bracelet and clasp, more on that later though.
The Tugela has an impressive water resistance rating of 300m, thanks to the outstanding build quality as well as the inclusion of a screw down caseback & crown. The proportions of the watch, in my opinion, are absolutely bang on, with nothing at all that I can see that I’d want to change. The Tugela wears extremely well on wrist and it’s also surprisingly comfortable, with it following the contours of your wrist perfectly. In fact, I love the way it looks and wears so much, I’ve barely took the thing off my wrist since the day it arrived! The signed crown is superb, it looks great and is simple to operate, with its effortless amount of grip that’s available.
There’s absolutely no wobble either when in use and there’s the added bonus of the slightly unnecessary, but rather desireable lumed logo. The caseback sports Draken artwork that’s been punched into the caseback and it looks very well executed! Oh… that reminds me, I’ve forgotten to take a picture of the caseback, but fuck it… you can kind of see it further on in the review. #LazyBastard
Strap / Bracelet
The bracelet that comes with the Draken Tugela 3.0 certainly is very well made, it’s also bead-blasted to perfectly match the watch itself. In fact I’d even go as far as to say, it’s one of the best bracelets I’ve seen on any microbrand. It won’t suit everyone though, as it could be slightly overwhelming for some people, as it all adds up to quite a fair amount of extra weight to the watch. Sized up for my 6¾″ wrist, the Tugela still weighs in at a rather hefty 191g.
The bracelet this time though, does taper from 22mm at the lugs, down to 19.5mm at the thinnest most part and back up to 22.5mm at the clasp. An excellent improvement over the Tugela 2.0 that didn’t taper whatsoever. Talking of the clasp, it is fully milled, with nice wee chamfered edges that compliment the bracelet links perfectly and has a fold over clasp with the Draken logo etched into it. There’s also six micro-adjustment holes to ensure that perfect fit. If the bracelet isn’t for you, but still want to enjoy the Tugela, Draken also provide a nylon strap. I’ve never really been a fan of NATO straps, however I can confirm that these ones are very nicely made, with excellent materials used, great stitching and hardware.
Movement / Accuracy
The movement selected for the Draken Tugela 3.0 is the microbrand movement of choice, the super reliable SII NH35 manufactured by Seiko. The SII NH35 is a fantastic workhorse with 21,600vph, 3Hz, 24 jewel automatic movement, with a 41hr power reserve, self winding and of course hacking. Checking the accuracy after running this Tugela 3.0 Shaka Edition for just over a fortnight, mainly on wrist and occasionally in my watch winder, I thought the accuracy was superb, with it showing an average of just +3.8 seconds per day. You just don’t need full blown COSC certification with accuracy like that! Another full-blown middle finger from the Japanese, thrust into the face of the Swiss. 
Dial & Bezel
There is a date complication at the 6 o’clock position and not only is it done with negative white on a black date wheel, the date itself is also lumed! As you can see in the images, the hour and minute hands are superbly done with their sword style design. Even although I always love sword style hands, there is one problem with them, that’s only an issue on this white Shaka model. The hour hand surround is done in silver, where it should’ve been finished in black. I’m not just talking out of my arse either, because of aesthetics. In certain light, especially when outside, you can barely make out the hour hand when trying to see what time it is. The seconds hand is fine though in silver, as it’s not really integral to see the time at a quick glance. The wee orange tip on it is nice too and does compliment the other orange accents perfectly.
Lume
The lume on this Tugela Shaka is nothing less than absolutely phenomenal! Draken have always known what they’re doing when it comes down to lume application. The actual formula that’s been applied to this Tugela 3.0 Shaka is a combination of both Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 & X1 Grade C3. It’s not only been applied very thickly and 100% perfectly, it’s as bright as the fuckin’ moon! Not only is the lume on the dial fantastic, Draken took it a step further by adding lume to the crown and even the date! An absolute sterling job from Draken Watches. 
Conclusion
Just take a look at the images of this new Draken Tugela and if you go ahead and actually buy one, no matter which colourway you opt for, you will instantly realise that it is an absolute beast of a watch! I don’t mean in size, but rather the sheer level that Draken have taken the build quality. It really is outstanding and right up there, if not better, than the competition. I was really close to awarding this one my top tier Platinum Award, as on paper, it just ticks all the boxes.
My biggest problem with the Tugela 3.0 though, and I’m not talking about the hour hand on this white model, is down to the sheer existence of the superb HELM Vanuatu. Don’t get me wrong, this Tugela 3.0 should definitely be your first choice if the HELM Vanuatu is just that wee bit too big for you, with its’ quite substantial lug to lug of 50mm. This Tugela 3.0 from Draken will fit smaller wrists much better, without making any compromise on build quality. Do I recommend this new 3.0 version of the Tugela? Too bloody right I do! It’s just a shame about that bloody hour hand on this white Shaka edition. Gutted! I really thought I had finally found my perfect white dial dive watch. Ah well, the search continues… 
