About Cadence
Founded in 2002, Cadence produces watches in a variety of styles. Their mission is to deliver quality timepieces at reasonable prices, avoiding middle-men and instead focusing on distributing direct to their customer. They often mail out sale offers via their mailing list.
Cadence is known for their Reddit watches, as well as other fun watches. Recently, they have been offering a larger variety of styles and functions.
HOW WE REVIEW WATCHES
Our reviews are based on our first-hand experience with the watch. All photos and media are created by us (unless otherwise credited). Learn more about how we review watches.
Review Summary
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in my opinion the Buccaneer really doesn’t deliver on that. Where it does do well is function, rated for 500m of depth (with the screw-down crown secured). If you want an inexpensive and capable dive watch, the Buccaneer is a pretty good choice.
Cadence Buccaneer Technical Specifications
- Model Number: Buccaneer
- MSRP: $100ish
- Case Diameter: 48mm
- Alternate Models: n/a
- Movement: Quartz, Miyota 2315
- Complications: Date display, screw-down crown
- Battery Life: Approximately two years
- Water Resistance: 500m/1,650ft
- Crystal Material: Mineral
Setting the Time
The date display operates via the crown. Note that if you want to ensure water resistance you must screw down the crown after adjustment.
How To set the time:
- Pull crown to the furthest position (position 3). Turn the crown clockwise to set the time. Note that the date display will rollover at at midnight.
How To set the date:
- Pull the crown to the middle position (position 2) and turn clockwise to set the date.
Cadence Buccaneer Aesthetics & Design
It’s not exactly pretty, is it? The rugged look is more than a finish, though. The Buccaneer very much is all about function, and in that regard it performs really well.
The bezel rotates, with the arrow having a lume marker to make it easy to see at night or underwater. The face is pretty bare, save for the hour markers (which have a thick lume inlay). The only thing that really has any color is the red seconds hand and its depth rating.
When there’s little light, such as when you’re diving into an underwater cave, the lume on the Buccaneer is top notch. I mean, look at it- it absolutely glows. Not only is it bright, but it’s long-lasting too. I bet this thing would be easy to see underwater.
The case is a big one at 48mm, and it’s thick too. It’s an outright monster on my tiny wrist. The rubber strap and clasp are pretty thick too.
Cadence Buccaneer Build Quality
The Buccaneer is built well. It feels rugged and solid all over. The bezel turns with a satisfying click, the Miyota movement inside is reliable and accurate, and the strap is up to the task of keeping it planted on your wrist. No complaints here.
Crystal, Case, and Dial
The mineral crystal is hidden behind a significant lip, making it unlikely to take an impact from any angle other than head on. This will help keep the crystal looking great.
The case is built like a tank. Heavy black steel is used all around. It’s a real beast, but with the screw-down crown screwed down it feels like it could withstand a bomb blast.
Strap and Clasp
The rubber strap is thick and feels very durable. It does not flex much when tugged, and the clasp doesn’t show signs of release or strain under stress.
More About the Cadence Buccaneer
Movement
Miyota is owned by Citizen and is known to manufacture reliable and durable movements. Bulova is another brand that uses Miyota movements.
The 2315 has an estimated two year battery life and is accurate to within a few seconds per day.
Value for Money
Using coupon codes that Cadence sends out you will be able to easily buy the Buccaneer for under $60. That’s a good price for a well built dive watch that uses a quality quartz movement.
Other Cadence’s that I’ve reviewed have felt lacking in terms of quality of build. The Buccaneer definitely doesn’t come up short there, feeling strong and solid in almost every way.
If you want a dive watch, the Cadence Buccaneer is an inexpensive and capable option. I recommend it.
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