The Waterman Koa wood watch has finally surfaced...breath deep or maybe gasp...it's pretty sweet. The original Hawaiian Watermen used koa to make outrigger canoes, surfboards, and sailing canoes...pretty much everything we love about being on the water. The Waterman was inspired by these ideals of a life lived best on and around the water. It's Hawaiian time, redefined.
INSPIRED BY LAVA
INSPIRED BY LAVA
The Waterman Volcanic
SUNSET EDITION
SUNSET EDITION
GOLDEN HUES FADING TO STARLIGHT
THE WATERMAN
THE WATERMAN
ADVENTURE READY
ISLAND INSPIRED DESIGN
The design concept was to pay homage to the ancient Hawaiian watermen by incorporating elements a modern waterman would appreciate. The lugs are stylized longboard fins with fcs type screws on the side. Yes, the second hand is shaped like an outrigger canoe paddle and the ocean waves flow beneath the moon-phase window. The crown's shape is inspired by the winches on a sailboat and is inset to prevent rubbing on your hand. Finally, our finest "curly" grained Koa wood, hand finished in our shop in Honolulu, ensures the face becomes the crowning jewel...check them out below.
A BIT MORE ON THE DESIGN...
The shape and colors are pulled from elements found throughout the Hawaiian islands. The rounded shape draws from the lava rock beach stones found on the black sand beaches of Maui and the Big Island. The Lava Edition colors are pulled from the ancient lava fields on the south side of Kona. Of course we color matched the turnable bezel to the color of the Pacific Ocean. The Rose-Gold of the Sunset Edition evokes the calm of the coming night as the sun melts into the ocean and the stars emerge (glowing white Lume markers).
Common Questions
What is the Pono Woodworks Waterman Koa Wood Watch? +
The Waterman is our newer flagship — a bold 47mm koa wood watch built for those who want the timepiece to make a statement. Every Waterman features a curly Hawaiian koa wood face, sapphire crystal, Japanese Miyota quartz movement, and 10ATM water resistance. Available in OG Silver, Sunset Rose-Gold, and Gunmetal finishes. Hand-finished in our shop in Honolulu, Hawaii with Big Island Koa. Rated 4.8 across 3,400+ customer reviews.
Is the Waterman koa wood watch waterproof? +
Yes. The Waterman is water-resistant to 10ATM (100 meters / 330 feet). Safe for swimming, snorkeling, diving and everyday water exposure. The koa wood face is sealed within the body which protects it against moisture. If you drown it, we'll replace it.
What's the difference between the OG Silver, Sunset Rose-Gold, and Gunmetal Waterman variants? +
All three Waterman variants share the same 47mm case, sapphire crystal, Japanese Miyota movement, and 10ATM water resistance — only the case finish differs. OG (Silver) is the original polished and brushed stainless steel. Sunset (Rose-Gold) is a warm gold-tinged finish. Gunmetal is a darker brushed steel. Each variant is available with silicone, brown leather, black leather, navy leather, or stainless steel bands.
How do I care for my koa wood watch? +
The idea was a tough watch that stands up to punishment. Everyday care like wiping with a soft dry cloth or washing after being in the ocean are good ideas. Avoid leaving the watch in direct sun for extended periods (like on a dashboard for days). Avoid harsh chemicals (bleach, acetone), saunas, and extreme temperature swings (although we take it in the sauna and cold plunge without issue). The koa is sealed and protected.
What size wrist fits the 47mm Waterman? +
The 47mm Waterman is a bold size — designed for those who want the watch to make a statement. Best on wrists 7 inches and up. If you have a smaller wrist and love the Pono look, the Surfrider 42mm is the more versatile pick. The band fits wrists in the 6.5-8.5 inch range comfortably (measure around your wrist bone). Our silicone bands extend to 9 inches; leather bands adjust in the 6.5-8.5 range.
How does the Waterman compare to the Surfrider and Castaway? +
All three Pono Woodworks watches share the same exquisite curly Hawaiian Koa wood, hand-finished craftsmanship (in our Honolulu shop), and Japanese Miyota movements. Where they differ:
• Waterman (47mm) — Our newer, bolder flagship. Larger case, more presence on the wrist. A statement piece for larger wrists or those who want the watch to lead the outfit.
• Surfrider (42mm) — Our original surf-inspired design, everyday-wearable size, the classic Pono look. Most versatile of the three.
• Castaway (45mm) — Sailing-inspired design with historical details. A size that has presence but doesn't overpower with its rounded shape, for those that dream of adventure and blank horizons.
Different personalities, same premium parts and craftsmanship.
What kind of movement does the Waterman use? +
The Waterman runs on a Japanese Miyota quartz movement 6P24 with the moon phase complication — reliable, precise, and battery-powered. Miyota (owned by Citizen) is one of the world's most trusted quartz movement manufacturers. Expect roughly 2-3 years of battery life. Battery replacement can be done by any watchmaker or through our repair service.
What makes the Pono Woodworks Waterman a premium watch that lasts? +
We love high end watches.. Omega, Panerai.. they're beautiful and unique. While we don't have the in-house movements or the gigantic production facilities, we aim to use premium parts and processes to create a watch that can hold its own. Premium comes from the specifics: sapphire crystal (harder than mineral glass — only a diamond will scratch it), Japanese Miyota quartz movement (Citizen's trusted movement family, powers watches from luxury to fashion brands worldwide), 10ATM depth rating (rated for real water use, not just splash), and only curly-grade Hawaiian koa wood — less than 1% of available koa has this shimmering figure. All hand-finished in our shop in Honolulu, Hawaii. No factory line, no mass production. Every watch is checked individually before it ships. We produce only a few hundred a year — now that's rare and unique.
What makes it last: the stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, and Miyota movement are all engineered for decades of use with basic care. Our original watches from 12 years ago still pop up for servicing and are doing great. We build them to be handed down.
DID WE MENTION THE WOOD?
Koa only grows in the Hawaiian islands and we use only the most rare and beautiful "curly" grained Koa. It gives an iridescence and movement to the wood. We hand finish all the wood in our small shop in Honolulu which ensures the face becomes the crowning jewel. Read the full Hawaiian Koa Wood Story →
SIZING, FOCUS... THIS IS IMPORTANT
Sizing...The Waterman is a 47mm case. This fits most everyone's wrists without looking ridiculously large...but certainly has presence. The size is similar to the apple Ultra watch. Shown in the original 2010 version.
GARANS BRAH!
No Worries!! We wouldn't leave you hanging. We're way too small to have angry customers. If something's not quite right...we'll make it right on our dime...whether you want to replace or return.
ONE OF A KIND, SMALL BATCH PRODUCTION
We design our wood watches and hand finish the Koa wood in our small shop in Honolulu. We've focused on small batch production so we can guarantee the best quality while providing a wood watch that is truly unique and rare. We use only the most amazing "curly" grained Koa from the Big Island...the most rare, beautiful, and expensive. We encase our Koa in an equally worthy case using a stainless body, sapphire crystal, Japanese movement and oversized buckle.
