The Seiko Instruments NH35 is one of the most common automatic movements in affordable mechanical watches, but the watches built around it can feel very different on the wrist. Case size, crystal, bezel, water resistance and overall design matter at least as much as the movement itself.
This guide compares five currently purchasable NH35 watches at Watchdives for different priorities: compact 36mm everyday wear, 39mm dive-watch proportions, two 40mm diver formats and a larger 43.8mm diver. Availability and listed USD prices were rechecked on September 29, 2026; stock can change, so check the selected variant before ordering.
If you want the movement details first, read our NH35 movement guide. To browse current products specifically using this calibre, see our NH35 Watches collection. For broader mechanical models, see the automatic watches collection.
Quick comparison: 5 current NH35 watches
| Model | Current listed price* | Case size | Crystal | Water resistance | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Kraken OCT0018 | $219 | 39mm | Sapphire with AR | Check selected production batch | 39mm steel NH35 diver |
| Cronos L6019 | $229 | 36mm | Sapphire with AR | 100m | Compact everyday wear |
| Addiesdive H9 | From $139 | 40mm | Sapphire with blue AR | 200m | All-round automatic diver |
| Thorn SHY042 | $179 | 40mm | Sapphire | 200m | Steel-bracelet diver |
| Addiesdive AD2045 | $149 | 43.8mm | Synthetic sapphire | 200m | Larger dive-watch proportions |
*Listed USD prices were checked on September 29, 2026 and refer to purchasable variants observed at that time. They exclude shipping, taxes, duties and checkout-specific promotions.
1. Octopus Kraken OCT0018 — a 39mm NH35 steel diver
The Octopus Kraken OCT0018 uses the NH35 in a 39mm 316L stainless-steel case with a 48mm lug-to-lug length. Its current listing specifies sapphire crystal with AR coating, a 120-click unidirectional bezel, screw-down crown and Swiss C3 green lume.
The listed 12.5mm thickness excludes the crystal, so it should not be compared directly with total-height figures that include the crystal. The product page describes dive-watch construction but does not fix one universal water-resistance number for every production batch; check the selected current listing if a specific rating matters to your purchase.
Choose it if: you want a conventional 39mm steel NH35 diver and prefer sapphire crystal over the sold-out 36mm field-watch option previously listed here.
2. Cronos L6019 — a 36mm everyday NH35 automatic
The Cronos L6019 is another 36mm option, but it takes a different approach. It uses a flat sapphire crystal with clear AR coating, a stainless-steel bracelet and a thinner 11.55mm listed case thickness.
The current specification lists 100m water resistance, a screw-down crown and BGW9 blue lume. Its 43.4mm lug-to-lug dimension makes it the shortest-wearing option in this comparison.
Choose it if: you want a compact NH35 automatic for everyday use with sapphire crystal and bracelet rather than a tool-watch strap setup.
For more compact options across other movements, see our best watches for small wrists guide.
3. Addiesdive H9 — a straightforward 40mm NH35 dive watch
The Addiesdive H9 moves into classic dive-watch territory. It combines a 40mm 316L stainless-steel case with the NH35, sapphire crystal with blue AR coating, a 120-click ceramic bezel, screw-down crown and 200m water resistance.
The current listing also specifies C3 green lume and a 20mm lug width. Steel-bracelet and leather-strap configurations are listed.
Choose it if: you want a conventional 40mm automatic diver with sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel without moving into a larger case.
4. Thorn SHY042 — a 40mm steel-bracelet NH35 diver
The Thorn SHY042 is also 40mm, but its specification is different from the Addiesdive H9. It uses a sapphire crystal, stainless-steel bezel insert, solid stainless-steel bracelet and transparent sapphire case back.
The listing specifies 200m water resistance, a screw-down crown, BGW9 blue lume, 47.8mm lug-to-lug and 13.6mm thickness including the crystal.
Choose it if: you prefer a steel-bracelet diver and want to see the movement through a transparent case back.
5. Addiesdive AD2045 — a larger 43.8mm NH35 diver
The Addiesdive AD2045 is the largest option here at 43.8mm. It uses the NH35, a synthetic sapphire crystal, unidirectional stainless-steel bezel, screw-down crown and case back, solid steel bracelet and 200m listed water resistance.
Its listed dimensions are 47.2mm lug-to-lug, 14mm thick including the crystal and 20mm between the lugs. BGW9 blue lume is specified.
Choose it if: you prefer more wrist presence and want a larger automatic diver rather than a compact 36–40mm case.
Which NH35 watch should you choose?
Start with case size and intended use rather than choosing by movement alone:
- For a 39mm steel diver: Octopus Kraken OCT0018.
- For a compact everyday automatic: Cronos L6019.
- For a conventional 40mm diver: Addiesdive H9.
- For a 40mm steel-bracelet diver: Thorn SHY042.
- For a larger 43.8mm diver: Addiesdive AD2045.
The NH35 gives these watches a common movement platform, but their fit and specifications are not interchangeable. Compare the exact case dimensions, crystal, bezel, water-resistance rating and strap or bracelet before ordering.
NH35 watches vs other automatic movements
There is no reason to choose a watch only because it uses an NH35. Other current watches at Watchdives use movements such as Miyota 9015 / 90S5, PT5000, ST2130 and Hangzhou calibres. The right choice depends on the watch as a complete product, not only the movement name.
Browse more automatic watches, or compare purpose-built models in the dive watches collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is the NH35 a good automatic movement?
The NH35 is widely used in affordable automatic watches and supports hand-winding and hacking seconds. For a deeper explanation of its specifications and ownership considerations, see our complete NH35 movement guide.
Are all NH35 watches dive watches?
No. The movement does not determine whether a watch is suitable for water use. In this comparison, some models are divers while the Cronos L6019 is positioned more as a compact everyday automatic. Always use the individual watch's stated water-resistance specification.
What size NH35 watch is best for a smaller wrist?
Case diameter is only one part of fit. The 36mm Cronos L6019 is the smallest choice in this current comparison, while the 39mm Octopus OCT0018 is the next step up. Lug-to-lug, thickness and strap or bracelet geometry also affect how a watch wears.
