The Draken Kruger V2 is the perfect lightweight tactical chronograph
Time+TideNew Zealand-based but with a South African soul, Draken is back after almost three years, following the release of its first version of the Kruger chronograph. Now, here’s V2: a legible, functional, and tactical timekeeping instrument available in five different versions, four of which have the option of black or full lume dials, and all with one of three bezel inserts to choose from – 12-hour, elapsed time, and diver – powered by one of two mecaquartz calibers and one full automatic version. So, in total, there are a whopping 24 iterations of the Kruger V2 (excluding strap and bracelet options) – all of which offer tactical chronograph thrills at a very reasonable price.
The case
Whenever we think of tactical watches, we generally imagine that they come with a certain wrist presence. Their robust nature means they are destined to be put through their paces in harsh environments, where bumps and shocks are everyday occurrences. Having larger cases and therefore more metal means better resistance to the aforementioned events, which is why these watches tend to be on the larger side of things. The Draken Kruger V2 does command a noticeable wrist presence as did its forebearer: 44mm in diameter, 49.50mm lug-to-lug, 12.45mm thick for the mecaquartz versions and 15.60mm for the auto, plus a 22mm lug width.
That said, the dimensionally muscular case is made of grade 2 titanium, complemented either by a transparent 1200Hv coating or a DLC one for extra shock and scratch resistance, meaning it’s not a heavyweight on the wrist. A guarded 6.7mm screw-down crown and caseback ensure 100 meters of water resistance.
Speaking of which, the case-back is decorated with the image of a white rhinoceros, one of the many endangered species the rangers of South Africa’s Kruger National Park protect, and whose conservation work Draken supports. (5% of each sale of a Kruger V2 goes to the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation or GKEPF.) Thus, the Draken V2 was designed and equipped to excel in the rugged and hostile environments of South Africa’s national parks, and as such will perform equally well in other outdoor situations.
This is why the Kruger V2’s grade 2 titanium case is coated and its bezel insert made of brushed ceramic – the bezel itself featuring tractor-like knurling and 60 clicks in both directions – and its crystal a double-domed piece of sapphire with inner and outer anti-reflective coating. Given their intended purpose, the Draken Kruger V2s are equipped with a fully-lumed bezel boasting healthy applications of Super-LumiNova BGW9. Three bezel variants are available for the Kruger V2, too: 12-hour timezone, elapsed time or a classic diver design.
The dials
Draken created two dials for the Kruger V2, a version “A” and a version “B.” Inspired by the Type-A fliegers worn by WWII German pilots, the version “A” dial presents a symmetrical sub-register configuration, a date at the 6, and a full stack of Arabic numerals save for 3, 6, and 9 markers. At the 12, we find the triangle-with-dots marker typical of pilot’s watches and a discreet running seconds sub-register south of the dial. At 9 o’clock, there is a 60-minute totalizer and at 3, a 24-hour indicator as Version “A” is powered by a Seiko VK63 mecaquartz calibre.
Both full sub-registers are complemented by a radial finish, which adds a tad of depth to the otherwise flat, tactical dials. The full lume version is made of either BGW9 or C3 Super-LumiNova; the black version has C3 applied on the hands and printed hour markers.
The version “B” dial comes with an asymmetrical configuration that resembles the automatic model, although it places the date at 4:30 – emblematic of how the “A” and “B” specs utilise different mecaquartz calibre options, with the “B” using the Seiko VK67 version which has a date at 4:30, a running seconds at the 6, a 12-hour totalizer at the 9, and a 60-minute totalizer at the 12.
The automatic version is powered by an ETA/Valjoux 7750 and comes with a day/date complication at the 3, a 12-hour totalizer at the 6, a running seconds at the 9, and a 30-minute counter at the 12. All sub-registers of the version “B” have a radial finish and signpost-shaped printed hour markers, truncated at the 3, 6, and 9.
What both versions of the Draken V2 have in common is a sword-style handset, which is highly legible, and the fact that the hour, minute, and sub-register hands are lumed. Lastly, the version “A” with the 7750 only comes in a black dial version – no full lume option for that one.
The straps
Evidently, Draken likes options, so of course, there are a few for the straps. For the first strap option, one can choose between a 2-piece green canvas, a black rubber or a brown leather strap, or a titanium bracelet equipped with quick-release spring-bars, screwed links, and a tool-less micro-adjustment mechanism. The automatic model’s second strap option is an olive green one-piece nylon strap paired with an olive green MOLLE pouch unique to Draken.
The movements
As previously mentioned, the Draken Kruger V2 is powered by one of three movements: two mecaquartz options and one automatic option. The former are the Seiko VK63 (symmetrical layout, 24-hour indicator, date at the six) and VK67 (asymmetrical layout, 12-hour totalizer, date at the 4:30), which have a stated accuracy of +/- 20 seconds per day and a battery life of around three years. The automatic option is the ubiquitous ETA/Valjoux 7750, which ticks at 4Hz, has 42 hours of power reserve and comes with an asymmetrical layout with 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers.
Draken Kruger V2 pricing and availability
All versions of the Draken Kruger V2 are available for pre-order on the brand’s website, with an estimated delivery of mid-September 2025. Draken is offering 20% off the full retail price for pre-orders. Price (retail): from US$476 (Kruger A/B), from US$624 (Kruger A/B DLC), from US$1,356 (Kruger Auto)
| Brand | Draken |
| Model | Kruger V2 |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm (D) x 12.45mm (T) x 49.5mm (LTL) – mecaquartz 44mm (D) x 15.6mm (T) x 49.5mm (LTL) – auto |
| Case Material | Grade 2 titanium, multiple ceramic bezel insert options, optional DLC treatment (mecaquartz variants only) |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black or full lume (mecaquartz variants only) |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | 2-piece green canvas Brown leather Black rubber Titanium bracelet with micro-adjustment |
| Movement | Seiko VK63 or VK67, mecaquartz ETA/Valjoux 7750, automatic |
| Power Reserve | ~3-year battery life (mecaquartz) 42 hours (automatic) |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, rotatable bezel, chronograph |
| Availability | Available for pre-order, deliveries scheduled for mid-Sept 2025 |
| Price | From US$476 (Kruger A/B) From US$624 (Kruger A/B DLC) From US$1,356 (Kruger Auto) |
Made in partnership with Draken. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.