When it comes to rugged, no-nonsense timepieces built for professionals, ARES Watch Co. has set the bar high. In this review, I’ll be diving deep into the ARES DIVER-1, testing its durability, precision, and real-world performance as a go-anywhere tactical dive watch. Meanwhile, SOFREP’s Managing Editor Guy McCardle will be sharing his thoughts on the ARES Field Watch, a minimalist yet tough-as-nails option built for those who demand reliability on land. Whether you’re searching for the best military watch, a hardcore dive watch, or a field-ready timepiece, we’re breaking down what makes these ARES models stand out; and which one might be right for you.
When it comes to mission-ready gear, there are two categories: the things you bring because they’re convenient, and the things you bring because your life depends on them. The ARES DIVER-1 Mission Timer is firmly in the latter. This isn’t just a watch; it’s an operational tool, a companion in every environment, and an absolute necessity for those who live by precision, reliability, and resilience. If Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and a Tier 1 operator walked into a bar and had to agree on one timepiece, it would be this one. Why? Because in a world where milliseconds can mean the difference between success and failure, you don’t leave timekeeping to chance.
Unboxing: The Experience Begins
ARES didn’t just toss this watch in a box and call it a day. No, they engineered the packaging with the same level of thought they put into the watch itself. From the moment you crack open the packaging, it’s clear this isn’t some run-of-the-mill timepiece. From the custom stamped serial number on the grenade canister it sits in, to the additional straps I received in my watch roll, it’s a cut above. The presentation is meticulous, reinforcing the idea that this watch was designed with serious operators in mind. The moment you pick it up, you realize, this is not a luxury item, it’s a beautiful necessity. It’s like unboxing a handmade sidearm or a precision rifle optic. This thing isn’t for show; it’s for work. It’s a mission tool, plain and simple, and a gorgeous one at that.
Build Quality: Indestructible Engineering
The DIVER-1 is a juggernaut. The 41mm case, with its individually serialized screw-back construction, feels like it was forged in the fires of Mount Doom, except instead of destroying rings, it’s here to dominate missions. Whether you go for the ‘Urban’ bead blast stainless steel, the ‘Deep Black’ PVD, the Aerospace Titanium, or the hybrid combo finish, every version screams durability.
The bezel is more than just a design element, it’s a mission-critical feature. With aggressive ‘no-slip’ teeth and a 120-click uni-directional countdown timer, it’s designed for precision. You’re not just tracking elapsed time on a casual dive; you’re timing breaching sequences, HALO jumps, and synchronized movements in the field. And let’s talk about that lume, ARES didn’t just check a box here.
Lume: Lighting Up the Night
ARES went full ‘Predator blood’ with this. You could probably use the C3 Superluminova to signal an exfil bird if you needed to. The lume isn’t just bright, it’s absolutely practical. If you’re diving in the abyss or clearing rooms in pitch-black darkness, this watch isn’t just visible, it’s commanding attention. This is the kind of lume that would make Snake from Metal Gear ditch his eyepatch and rock a wrist-check. The C3 glows with an intensity that makes it visible even through night vision optics. You won’t be squinting at your wrist mid-op; this thing is a beacon.
Crystal & Dial: Perfect Clarity
Flat sapphire crystal with an inner AR coating ensures that no matter what lighting conditions you’re in, you’ll have a crisp, glare-free view of the dial. The brass dial with Super LumiNova C3-printed hour markers and painted minute indices is both simple and functional. It’s not cluttered with unnecessary details, and why should it be, this is a no-nonsense, mission-first display. The brushed hands (with brushed stainless seconds hand on the quartz model) reinforce the get-the-job-done aesthetic.
Crown & Strap: Built for the Fight
The 10 o’clock screw-down crown isn’t just a design quirk, it’s tactical genius. How many times have you had a watch dig into your wrist because of a poorly placed crown? Not an issue here. The ‘fat head’ design makes it easy to manipulate even with gloves on, and the double Viton seals ensure absolute water resistance. Whether you’re diving into enemy territory or just trying to time how long it takes for your coffee to brew between CQB drills, this crown is built for action.
The quartz model ships with a matching LASH ballistic nylon strap, rugged, secure, purpose-built, and bombproof. Depending on your case finish, you’ll get perfectly matched hardware. Urban stainless? Deep Black nylon with Urban hardware. PVD? PVD hardware to match. Combo Urban & PVD? Urban Grey strap with stealthy PVD hardware. It’s a small touch that reinforces the overall mission-focused design ethos.
Performance & Testing: Built to Survive
ARES didn’t just slap a “dive-rated” sticker on this and call it good. The DIVER-1 has been tested and certified to 100BAR, meaning it can handle depths up to 3,345 feet. That’s not just dive-ready, that’s abyss-ready. If James Cameron ever decides to drop a submersible into the Mariana Trench again, he should strap this to the hull.
It meets shock resistance standards (NIHS-91-10), is anti-magnetic to 18.8 Oe, and is thermo-compensated to withstand extreme temperatures from below freezing to scorching heat. It also features a precision Swiss analog quartz movement, specifically the 5-jewel gold-plated Ronda 715Li, with a 10-year lithium-ion battery and End-of-Life indicator. That means less time worrying about your battery, and more time getting after it. Whether you’re conducting Arctic warfare training, HALO jumping into hostile environments, or running urban operations in the middle of a summer heatwave, this thing is going to keep ticking.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Watch, Truly A Necessity
There are watches you wear, and then there are watches you rely on. The ARES DIVER-1 Mission Timer isn’t a fashion statement, it’s a life statement. It feels less like an accessory and more like a trusted piece of kit, the kind of thing you don’t realize you need until you use it, and then you can’t live without it.
This watch isn’t for people who just ‘like’ watches, it’s for people who demand reliability. It’s for the special operators, the deep-sea divers, the first responders, the adventurers, and yes, even the golfer who likes to time his tee shots with a countdown bezel because life’s too short for slow play. Bottom line, whatever your mission, this watch can excel at it.
ARES set out to make a mission timer, and they ended up crafting a legacy piece. If you take your gear seriously, this isn’t just a recommendation, it’s an operational necessity. So, whether you’re storming a compound, evading enemy detection, or just timing your steak on the grill with absolute precision, the DIVER-1 is your ultimate companion.
Time waits for no one. Make sure you’re tracking it with the best.
ARES Field Watch – Guy McCardle – Managing Editor SOFREP
I’ve been a watch guy forever. I own at least 30, most of them military-style timepieces. Honestly, I feel naked without a watch, after all, what other accessory can men wear that subtly showcases a bit of personality?
The Field-1 Mission Timer is my first ARES, and it won’t be my last. It checks every box for a military-grade field watch, rugged, understated, and precise. With my 7.5-inch wrist, the 41mm case size hits my personal sweet spot. At 13.3mm thick, it doesn’t sit too high, and thanks to the ballistic nylon 3-ring LASH strap, it’s incredibly comfortable. I barely feel it on my wrist, which is exactly what I want, there’s nothing worse than a watch that constantly shifts around.
And the Field-1 is built like an absolute tank. I wouldn’t hesitate to take it into the field for weeks on end. The case is milled from a solid bar of 316L stainless steel, topped with a domed sapphire crystal that features a high-quality inner anti-reflective coating. Living in Florida, I can confidently say it remains crystal clear even in bright sunlight.
The case is finished in a deep black Cerakote coating, giving it a completely matte, non-reflective surface. For a tactical field watch, that’s a major plus, no glinting light to give away your position in a professional setting.
The hands are brushed with C3 lume, and ARES did not skimp in this department. They glow brightly at night, ensuring excellent visibility in low-light conditions.
Powering the Field-1 is a Swiss-made Ronda 715Li quartz movement, featuring five jewels and gold plating. It runs on a 10-year lithium-ion battery, meaning this watch will keep ticking well into the next decade without a second thought.
Another standout feature is the oversized, screw-down crown positioned at 10 o’clock. It’s easy to manipulate, even with gloves on, a thoughtful design choice for anyone using this watch in harsh environments.
Most field watches come with 50-200 meters of water resistance, but ARES pushes the limits, the Field-1 is rated for an incredible 300 meters. It’s tough enough for any field mission and more than capable for my morning swims.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, professional-grade field watch built to last generations, the ARES Field-1 Mission Timer is worth serious consideration. At $599, it delivers outstanding value for a watch that’s built to survive anything you throw at it.
