Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2vsStraton Straton Daily Driver MKII

The Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2 is widely praised for its balanced design, excellent legibility, and strong GADA (go-anywhere, do-anything) capabilities, featuring 300m water resistance and a scratch-resistant coating. Reviewers note its comfortable 40mm case size and good lume, though one source describes it as good but not great. The movement is a Sellita SW200 adjusted by the brand, with accuracy reported around ±8 seconds per day. The pre-order price is $650, with a standard price of $850. On balance, reviewers find the Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2 to be a compelling option due to its functional design and robust specifications.

Owners praise the Straton Daily Driver MKII for its AR-coated sapphire crystal and reliable Miyota 6S21 quartz movement at its price, with the comfortable Barton band fitting well for daily wear. The watch features a clean white dial with double panda chronograph subdials, stick indices, and a thin black bezel that owners find visually appealing. One caveat is availability — the watch is difficult to find for sale. Overall, the consensus is that the Straton Daily Driver MKII offers strong value through its sapphire crystal and quartz reliability, marred primarily by scarcity in the market.