Sherwood Watches – Like stealing from the rich

Introduction

A few weeks ago, if you had told me there was a Robin Hood-inspired dive watch that not only delivered an impressive quality-to-price ratio but would also completely win me over, I wouldn’t have believed you.

And yet, here we are today, and I’m reviewing the Sherwood Commander—a truly remarkable watch that pictures simply can’t do justice.

So, without further ado, I present to you the Sherwood Commander.

Disclaimer: I’ve been gifted the watch for review purposes, but rest assured, my opinions remain entirely my own. Every review I write is 100% honest.

Pros & Cons

PROS	CONS
High-quality finishing and materials for the price	Metal strap could be more comfortable
Superb lume application with BG W9 lume	Sherwood logo on the dial is slightly large
Unique design touches with subtle Robin Hood references
Comfortable fit with NATO or metal strap options
Thoughtful packaging with wooden box and warranty card
Minimalist bezel with excellent lume and legibility
Great value for money, especially with current discount

Specifications

Packaging

Given the very fair price of the Sherwood Commander, I’m genuinely impressed by the packaging.

The watch arrives in a striking green lacquered wooden box with “Sherwood” elegantly inscribed on the top and a golden lock securing it closed. It feels premium and thoughtful.

The interior is a bit more unusual than I expected, with orange faux leather triangles covering the spot where the watch sits. It’s a bold design choice—cool, though perhaps a bit over-the-top.

If you opt for the NATO strap, it also comes with a small plastic pouch that includes a handy tool for removing the pins holding the strap to the watch—a thoughtful addition.

To complete the Sherwood experience, they’ve even included a wooden warranty card, which really drives home the brand’s attention to detail.

Design

As with any niche-themed watch, there’s always a risk of overdoing it. I’m pleased to say that Sherwood struck a fine balance with the Robin Hood references—they didn’t go overboard.

Sidenote: This reminds me of my review of the Adley watch, a bicycle-themed design. While they came close to pushing the limits, they managed to stay within the realm of tasteful design. (You can check out that review here: Adley Watch Review).

With the Sherwood Commander, the Robin Hood references are subtle and well-integrated. The 12 o’clock marker is shaped like an arrowhead, there’s a small arrowhead logo on the crown, the second hand is also designed like an arrow, and the back case features the famous Sherwood Oak tree engraved into it.

The arrowhead marker could easily be viewed as just a design choice, so the only element that really stands out is the second hand, which I find incredibly fun to watch in motion. The asymmetric counterweight is cleverly thought out, and the tiny blue touch at the tip of the arrowhead adds a lovely detail.

Beyond these unique touches, the watch itself is a classic no-date diver with a slightly inclined rehaut that gives the dial a bit more depth. 

The markers are positioned far from the center and close to the rehaut, but not so much that it feels off-balance.

I also want to highlight a small detail that I really appreciate: the “automatic” text and depth rating are in a light blue, making them more subtle and less prominent on the dial. 

That said, I do feel that the Sherwood logo is a bit too large and sits a little too high on the dial for my personal taste. 

The case is your standard dive watch shape, but I appreciate the slightly curved lugs, which make it a comfortable fit on most wrists. The lugs extend slightly above the bezel, which helps integrate the design visually.

In addition to the subtle Robin Hood references, the bezel stands out with its minimalist design. There are no numbers—just small squares, with the 20-minute marker being a longer rectangle. It’s thin, but very legible, especially at night, thanks to the lume.

All in all, the Sherwood Commander is a tastefully designed tribute to Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest while maintaining the timeless aesthetic of a classic no-date dive watch.

Quality

Case, crown, and bezel

Case

The watch case is exactly what you’d expect from a timepiece in this price range, featuring a lovely polished side that wraps around the front of the lugs, with the top surfaces nicely brushed—and that’s all it needs to be.

One great design detail is how the lugs rise slightly above the bezel, giving the watch a bit more height and enhancing its integration. It’s a clever design choice that adds complexity to the construction process.

Bezel

Similarly, the bezel has polished sides and a brushed top, mirroring the case. There’s absolutely no play in the bezel action, which I would describe as very grippy and firm—so you’ll need a good grip to get it turning, but it feels secure.

The phosphorescent paint applied to the top of the bezel is impressively even, with no noticeable gaps or imperfections. For the price, this is an excellent bezel in terms of both aesthetics and function.

Crown

The crown is fully brushed, with sharp teeth that make it incredibly easy to grip and unwind. As you’d expect at this price point, the threading is a bit gritty, but it’s still very easy to pull out, offering a satisfying click from the movement, and just as simple to screw back in.

Once that crown is screwed in, there’s no doubt this watch is watertight!

Dial and Hands

Dial

As expected from a watch in this price range, you get solid printing and a subtle sunburst dial that really shines when hit by direct sunlight. Everything is well-aligned, just as it should be.

What truly sets this watch apart, in my opinion (and based on its price of course), is the exceptional quality of the finishing on both the hands and the hour markers.

The hour markers aren’t very tall, but they have just enough height to provide some depth to the dial. The lume application is superb—smooth, with no grainy texture or unevenness. The tops of the markers catch the light beautifully, with no visible variation in width or polish, making the dial look fantastic when sunlight hits it.

Hands

The hands are equally impressive, with a sharp, well-defined angle running down the middle of the hour and minute hands. I even compared these hands to those on my Omega Seamaster 300, and it wasn’t until I got really close that I could start to notice any differences in the edges or polishing. That speaks volumes about the craftsmanship here.

Sapphire crystal

All of this beautiful dial design is protected by a slightly domed sapphire crystal with inner AR coating. The anti-reflective coating performs admirably, minimizing reflections as much as possible. However, due to the coat only being on the inside surface, some reflections are inevitable, though I find them more tolerable compared to what you’d experience with flat sapphire crystals.

Strap and Buckle

The metal strap is actually quite well-made, with details that definitely exceed what you’d expect at this price point. Let me explain.

The side links are polished, and the strap links are secured with screws rather than pins, which is a nice upgrade.

The deployant buckle on the strap also stands out, featuring polished chamfers and deeply engraved Sherwood text on the top—engraving that’s as deep and crisp as you’d find on higher-end watches like the Omega Seamaster.

Side note: You may have noticed that most of the pictures show the NATO strap. I wore the metal strap for the first few days but decided to switch to the NATO because it just looks so good. Plus, I love my dive watches on NATO straps for everyday use, and this one definitely works as a great everyday beater.

Lume

There’s no getting around it—the lume on this watch is absolutely incredible! A lume beast some call it.

The Sherwood Commander uses one of my favorite lume paints, BGW9, which emits a cool blue hue. While it may not shine as brightly at first compared to the green version, it lasts longer in my experience, and I think it looks better overall.

The lume on the bezel, hour markers, and hands is applied flawlessly. There’s no grainy texture, no uneven spots, and no thin areas visible when viewed in the dark. 

I’m genuinely impressed by how well the lume is applied, especially considering that even on my Omega Seamaster, I’ve noticed a few lighter spots on the hour and minute hands. Shame on you, Omega!

Nato Strap

The NATO strap provided by Sherwood Watches had a lot to live up to, but it absolutely delivers.

The textile strap is thick and feels extremely durable, with a nice, solid color. The strap keepers and buckle are fairly standard, with the Sherwood text subtly engraved on the buckle—not as deep as on the metal strap, but that’s to be expected at this price point.

Movement

The Sherwood Commander is powered by the reliable Miyota 9039 automatic movement, a premium option from Miyota’s 9000 series that delivers robust performance and 42 Hrs of power reserve.. With 24 jewels and a high frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (bph), this movement ensures smooth timekeeping.

Good to know: One of the standout features of the 9039 is its lack of a phantom date position, offering a true no-date setup for a clean, uncomplicated dial. 

During my test, the movement performed impressively well, losing only 5 seconds on the first day of wearing it. Considering Miyota’s claim of an accuracy range of -10 to +30 seconds per day, this was a solid result.

Quality Conclusion

Overall, I’m extremely impressed with the level of quality that Sherwood Watches has managed to deliver in a timepiece that costs around 400 British pounds. In fact, as I’m writing this, it’s currently priced at 350 pounds due to a discount, making it an even better value.

The attention to detail is evident in the finishing on the dial, the flawless application of the lume, and the craftsmanship of the metal strap. All of these elements come together to create a watch that truly offers excellent value for money.

On the wrist

With its very decently sized 40MM case with forty eight millimeters lug to log and 12 meter With its well-proportioned 40mm case, 48mm lug-to-lug distance, and 12mm height, the Sherwood Commander is perfectly sized for a modern dive watch.

On my 17cm wrist, it fits just right—neither too large nor too bulky. The height is particularly impressive, even on the NATO strap, which adds a bit more height than the metal strap.

Speaking of the metal strap, while it’s well-made, I personally find it could be a little more comfortable. I tend to wear my straps quite loose, which sometimes causes the watch to sit awkwardly and press into my skin at odd angles.

That said, this is one of those versatile watches that can look great on wrists of all sizes, from smaller to larger.

Price

The price currently sits at 350 British pounds, as it has been discounted from the normal price of 400 British pounds. That’s approximately 402 euros and 437 US dollars.

I consider this price to be very affordable, especially when you take into account the quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that Sherwood has put into this watch, along with the custom features specifically designed for it.

Conclusions

The Sherwood Commander truly surprised me. While the pictures on the website showcased a very attractive and high-quality watch, I always remain a bit skeptical, knowing the potential effects of Photoshop.

However, Sherwood has successfully crafted a fun homage to a legendary British fictional character, while maintaining the essence of a tasteful, modern dive watch. The finer details are something only the wearer can truly appreciate, rather than catching the eye of a casual observer.

But when we look beyond the emotional appeal—where design captivates the heart of any watch enthusiast or amateur—and simply focus on quality relative to price, this watch still delivers far beyond its price point, in my opinion.