I've been in the market for a smaller-sized skindiver for a while but could never really settle on any of the ones I saw. Mostly because I didn't want to spend what some brands are charging. Then I stumbled upon the Sheffield 1A series and really liked the looks. The green lume, the coffin-style indices, the awesome handset, and cursive "Sheffield" logo are all so cool looking. I usually go for watches in the 42mm range, but I didn't like the looks of the crown guards on the 40mm so I went with the 1A 38. The price was definitely right, but for the amount I wasn't expecting a whole lot.
Well, I'm very pleased to say that the watch is even better looking and performing in person! First off, I ordered it on a Friday afternoon and it arrived the following Monday. As for the watch itself, the applied indices are really nice and something you almost never see at this price-point. The bezel lines up perfectly and the action is smooth with no back-play. It's odd that it's a 90-click bezel, but it works. The case finishing is perfectly fine for this price-point, although I would have preferred a fully brushed case rather than polished sides. But I understand that polishing is easier than brushing, so I get it. The strap is surprisingly good and very comfortable. It's not as supple as a genuine Tropic, but it is very good. And there is no wiggle in the lug holes like you sometimes find with inexpensive watches and straps with shoddy springbars. The best part? My watch is running dead-on and hasn't gained or lost a single second in the 30 hours I've been wearing it. This thing is running better than my COSC watches!
Downsides? Honestly, just a few nit-picky things that don't detract from the watch at all. For one, the website says the lugs are drilled but they are not. I would have also liked to see a lumed pip on the bezel, although I understand that it wasn't on the original either so I get the reason why. The 90-click bezel is an odd choice, but since it lines up perfectly I'm not really complaining. A Miyota 9000 series movement would allow the case to be even thinner and would run at 4 beats per second. But it would also increase the cost. And, while a smoother second hand is always nice, the NH35 is a really robust movement (and mine is running like a top!) that is easy and cheap to replace if it ever needs service, so I don't mind the slight judder of a 3 Hz movement.
Overall, this is one helluva great watch at an amazing price! Seriously, I'm blown away at how nice it is. I have watches that cost more than ten times what the 1A 38mm does, but none of them keep time as accurately as this one does.