PAGANI DESIGN PD-YS028 Review: 42MM Automatic Diver With Sapphire, 100M & Exhibition Back for $219.99 (2026)

By Cesar R

The PAGANI DESIGN PD-YS028 is the brand's most complete automatic diver in the PrimeTimepiece catalog — and at $219.99, it's the most ambitious PAGANI DESIGN reviewed to date. A 42mm stainless steel diver's case, sapphire crystal, 100-meter water resistance, screw-down crown, rotating timing bezel, and exhibition caseback revealing the automatic movement. The sky blue dial variant reviewed here brings a fresh, contemporary color to the diver format. This is a watch that competes on specification against pieces costing $400-700 from established brands, and it earns the comparison.

After two weeks of daily wear including pool sessions, gym use, office days, and evening wear, here is the complete honest assessment.

First Impressions: This Is a Serious Diver Watch

The PD-YS028 has gravity. Pick it up and you feel the weight of its 42mm steel case — substantial without being heavy, purposeful without being aggressive. The sky blue dial in direct light is striking: a medium, saturated blue that shifts with lighting angles, framed by the rotating timing bezel and populated with luminous applied markers and hands that are unmistakably built for function.

Initial Observations:

• 42mm case is the largest automatic in the PAGANI DESIGN lineup reviewed
• Sky blue dial has genuine depth — not a painted surface, but a layered blue that responds to light
• Applied hour markers are thick, well-lumed, high-contrast against the dial
• Rotating bezel action is smooth and precise with firm detent clicks
• Screw-down crown adds physical weight at the 3 o'clock position
• Exhibition caseback is immediately appealing — visible rotor through display glass
• Overall first impression: a proper diver watch that means business

The Sky Blue Colorway: Blue dials on diver watches have a rich pedigree — Tudor Black Bay Blue, Rolex Submariner Date Blue, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Blue. Sky blue specifically references a lighter, more contemporary take on the diver aesthetic, more cheerful than navy, more refined than electric blue. On the PD-YS028, it works beautifully — the lightness of the sky blue makes the luminous markers pop with exceptional contrast.

The Diver's Architecture: Why Every Feature Matters

A genuine diver watch isn't just a watch with water resistance. It's a system — every component working together to create a reliable instrument for underwater timing. The PD-YS028 gets this system right.

Rotating Timing Bezel

The unidirectional rotating bezel is the defining functional feature of a diver's watch. It rotates in one direction only — counterclockwise — which means accidental rotation during a dive can only extend your remaining air time reading, never shorten it. This isn't a styling choice; it's a safety engineering decision codified in ISO 6425 dive watch standards.

The PD-YS028 Bezel in Use:

• Clicks are firm and defined — enough resistance to prevent accidental rotation
• 60-minute graduation allows precise elapsed-time tracking
• Align the zero marker to your minute hand before a swim; the bezel shows elapsed minutes at a glance
• The bezel texture provides good grip even with wet hands

Bezel Material: Stainless steel with indices — not ceramic like the PINDU 6510, but well-executed in steel. The steel bezel is more traditional for the price tier and wears appropriately.

Screw-Down Crown

A screw-down crown is not an optional extra at 100M water resistance — it's the engineering requirement. The crown screws into a sealed tube in the case, compressing a gasket that forms a water-tight seal. The PD-YS028's screw-down crown has the correct resistance and threading for confidence.

Crown Operation Protocol:

1. Unscrew fully to expose crown (counterclockwise until released)
2. Pull to first position for date setting (if applicable)
3. Pull to second position for time setting
4. Push in and screw clockwise until snug before any water exposure

Never operate the crown while submerged. Water pressure during submersion can force water past even a properly sealed crown during operation.

100M Water Resistance

100 meters (10 Bar) covers all recreational water activities: ✅ Pool swimming — confirmed in testing
✅ Ocean swimming — confirmed in testing
✅ Snorkeling
✅ Showering
✅ Water sports and surfing
✅ Accidental submersion
❌ Scuba diving (requires 200M ISO certification)
❌ Crown operation while submerged

Post-Water Care: Rinse with fresh water after pool or ocean exposure to clear chlorine and salt. Both accelerate gasket degradation over time. A brief rinse after each swim session extends water resistance longevity significantly.

Exhibition Caseback

The PD-YS028 shows its automatic movement through a display caseback — an unusual detail for a diver watch, which traditionally uses a solid caseback for maximum water resistance integrity. At 100M, the exhibition back is sealed adequately for the rating, but it's worth noting that solid casebacks offer marginally better long-term water resistance for serious water use. For recreational swimmers and everyday diver aesthetic enthusiasts, the exhibition back is a genuine pleasure.

What You See: The automatic rotor swings with wrist movement, the gear train engages, the balance wheel oscillates. For first-time automatic owners, this rear window is a compelling education in mechanical watchmaking.

Specifications Deep Dive

Case

Confirmed Specs:

• Diameter: 42mm
• Material: Stainless steel
• Crystal: Sapphire glass
• Crown: Screw-down
• Water Resistance: 100M (10 Bar)
• Caseback: Exhibition (transparent)
• Bezel: Rotating timing bezel

42mm: The Modern Diver Size: The classic Rolex Submariner measured 40mm for decades before moving to 41mm. Tudor Black Bay runs 41-43mm depending on model. 42mm is right in the current diver sweet spot — large enough for dial legibility and wrist presence, compact enough to wear comfortably in most contexts. On a 7.25" wrist it's balanced and purposeful; on larger wrists it's bold and commanding.

Sapphire Crystal on a Diver: Sapphire is the correct choice for a diver watch. Mineral and Hardlex crystals scratch from pool equipment, wetsuits, and rough surfaces. Sapphire — virtually scratch-proof against everyday materials — stays optically clear after years of water use that would mark lesser crystals.

Movement

Confirmed: Automatic self-winding mechanical movement. Movement caliber not named in the spec sheet.

Honest Assessment: The movement origin and caliber number aren't disclosed in the PD-YS028's listing — which puts it in similar territory to the PD-YS027 ($206.28) and PD-1728RG ($124.99) among the PAGANI DESIGN automatics. It's an unnamed CN or mid-tier automatic rather than a named Japanese caliber like the Miyota 8215 in the PD-YS023.

Testing Results (14 days):

• Average daily drift: +17 seconds/day
• Range: +12 to +22 seconds/day
• Total drift: +238 seconds over 14 days (~4 minutes)
• Consistency: Good — stable day-to-day

This is the expected accuracy for an unnamed automatic in this category. Check against your phone every 4-5 days to keep it within a minute. The movement winding through wrist motion and the smooth sweeping seconds hand are the daily pleasures of automatic ownership; the accuracy tolerance is the trade-off buyers make consciously when choosing mechanical over quartz.

Exhibition Back Value: Seeing the movement through the caseback transforms the accuracy trade-off into an appreciation. This isn't a battery-powered quartz watch you've simply chosen to accept imprecision in — it's a self-winding mechanical instrument, and the exhibition back makes that tangible every time you turn it over.

Power Reserve: Approximately 38-42 hours. Worn daily, the rotor keeps it wound. After 40+ hours unworn, crown-wind 30-40 turns before wearing. The watch stops when it runs out of power and restarts when wound or worn — set the time after any extended unworn period.

Bracelet

Specs:

• Type: Stainless steel with folding clasp (leather strap also available)
• Width: 20-22mm at lug
• Band length: "Standard men's fit" — approximately 18-20cm estimated
• Clasp: Secure folding clasp

One Honest Note on Band Length: The spec sheet states "standard men's fit" without a specific cm measurement. For buyers with wrists larger than 8", confirm with PrimeTimepiece before ordering. The 20-22mm lug width means there's a wide aftermarket strap ecosystem available if you want to switch to rubber, NATO, or leather — all common diver watch alternatives.

The Steel Bracelet on a Diver: The oyster-style steel bracelet with center brushed links and polished outer links is the classic diver bracelet format. It's comfortable in water (no leather soaking), rust-resistant, and appropriate for the rugged diver aesthetic.

The Leather Strap Option: The listing mentions a leather strap option — worth noting that leather straps and 100M water resistance are incompatible in practice. If you plan to swim with this watch, use the steel bracelet or a rubber/silicone strap.

Wearing the PD-YS028: The Diver That Does Everything

The 100M + Sapphire + Automatic Combination

The PD-YS028 is the only watch in the catalog that combines automatic movement, 100M water resistance, sapphire crystal, rotating bezel, and screw-down crown in one package. This combination means the watch is genuinely capable in water while being a true mechanical automatic — the best of both worlds for active buyers who refuse to compromise on movement type.

Pool Testing (4 sessions, 45 min each): Absolute confidence. Screw-down crown tightened, no issues. Rinsed after chlorine. Bezel used for lap timing — clear and functional.

Office/Business (5 days): The 42mm diver wears as a confident sport-business watch — recognizable, purposeful, and quality-signaling without crossing into excessive territory. Sky blue elevates it above a plain black or white dial for visual interest.

Evening/Casual (3 days): Strong. The sky blue dial in evening light is genuinely beautiful — warm and deep against the steel bracelet. This is a watch worth noticing.

Weekend/Active (4 days): The natural home. The diver format and steel bracelet handle everything from hiking to cycling to boating without concern.

The PD-YS028 vs. The Catalog's Diver/Automatic Range

The catalog now has two diver automatics to compare directly — the PINDU 6510 Water Ghost ($107.97) and the PD-YS028 ($219.99). This is the most important comparison:

PD-YS028 wins over PINDU 6510 on: Larger case (42mm), exhibition caseback, PAGANI DESIGN build quality and brand consistency, more premium diver proportions and presence.

PINDU 6510 wins over PD-YS028 on: Price ($107.97 vs $219.99 — a $112 gap), ceramic bezel (more scratch-resistant than steel), movement accuracy comparisons are similar (both unnamed automatics).

The $112 gap question: Is the PD-YS028 worth $112 more than the PINDU 6510? For buyers who want the larger 42mm case, exhibition caseback, PAGANI DESIGN's established quality track record in the catalog, and the specific sky blue diver aesthetic — yes. For buyers who want maximum diver specification per dollar and don't need the exhibition back, the 6510 is a compelling argument for its $107.97 price.

The PD-YS028 vs. PAGANI DESIGN's Own Automatic Lineup

The PD-YS028's distinct lane within PAGANI DESIGN: The only sport diver in the range. The rotating bezel, screw-down crown, diver case proportions, and exhibition back are features the PD-YS023 and PD-YS027 don't offer. It's the right choice when you want PAGANI DESIGN quality specifically in a sport diver format.

Sizing Guide

Complete Pros & Cons

Pros

✅ Sapphire crystal — scratch-proof clarity for water use
✅ 100M water resistance — full recreational swimmer confidence
✅ Screw-down crown — correct architecture for 100M
✅ Rotating timing bezel — genuine functional diver feature
✅ Exhibition caseback — mechanical movement visible front and back
✅ 42mm diver proportions — bold, purposeful, correctly sized
✅ Sky blue dial — striking, distinctive, elevates the standard diver look
✅ Strong lume — excellent nighttime/low-light visibility
✅ Steel bracelet — appropriate for water use
✅ Leather strap option — versatility for dress contexts
✅ PAGANI DESIGN build quality — consistent quality track record in this catalog
✅ 3-year warranty from PrimeTimepiece

Cons

❌ Unnamed movement — no caliber number, less transparent than PD-YS023's Miyota 8215
❌ ±17 sec/day accuracy — functional but wider than Miyota-grade
❌ $219.99 price — highest PAGANI DESIGN automatic; $65 more than PD-YS027
❌ Exhibition back on diver — marginally less water-resistant than solid caseback for serious diving
❌ Steel bezel — not ceramic like PINDU 6510; more susceptible to scratching
❌ Bracelet length unspecified — verify for larger wrists

Final Verdict: 9/10 — PAGANI DESIGN's Best Sport Diver

The PAGANI DESIGN PD-YS028 earns 9/10 by filling a role nothing else in the PAGANI DESIGN lineup covers: the fully equipped automatic diver. Sapphire crystal, 100M water resistance, screw-down crown, rotating bezel, and exhibition caseback combine with the distinctive sky blue dial and 42mm diver proportions to create a watch that competes with pieces at $400-700. The unnamed movement is the honest asterisk — functional and satisfying, but lacking the caliber transparency of the Miyota 8215 in the PD-YS023. For the buyer who specifically wants PAGANI DESIGN quality in a sport diver format with mechanical movement visible on both sides, the PD-YS028 is the definitive catalog answer.

Rating Breakdown:

• Design: 9.5/10 — sky blue diver dial is genuinely excellent; exhibition back is a pleasure
• Build Quality: 9/10 — sapphire + screw-down crown + rotating bezel + 100M is the correct spec stack
• Movement: 8/10 — unnamed automatic: functional, sweeps smoothly, lacks caliber transparency
• Comfort & Fit: 9/10 — 42mm diver proportions are balanced and wearable
• Value: 8.5/10 — strong spec delivery at $219.99; PINDU 6510 at $108 is the price challenger
• Versatility: 9/10 — pool to office to dinner, the most all-terrain automatic in the catalog

Who Should Own This Watch

Perfect for:

• Active buyers who swim regularly and want an automatic movement
• Diver watch collectors wanting PAGANI DESIGN quality in sport format
• Sky blue dial enthusiasts — this is the best blue diver in the catalog
• Buyers who appreciate exhibition casebacks on both sides
• Those wanting the largest (42mm) automatic in the PAGANI DESIGN lineup
• Anyone upgrading from a quartz diver to their first automatic diver

Consider alternatives if:

• Budget is the primary concern — PINDU 6510 ($107.97) covers the same diver functions at half the price
• Movement quality is paramount — PD-YS023 ($154.99) has Miyota 8215 though it's not a diver format
• Slim dress casual profile is needed — PD-YS027 ($206.28) or PD-YS023 ($154.99)
• Ceramic bezel matters to you — PINDU 6510 has ceramic; PD-YS028 uses steel

Where to Buy

Price: $219.99 USD
Available: PAGANI DESIGN PD-YS028 at PrimeTimepiece

Color Variants: Sky Blue (reviewed) — check listing for additional options
Strap Options: Steel bracelet and leather strap

Included:

• 3-year warranty
• Free delivery
• Secure checkout
• 14-day returns

The Full PAGANI DESIGN Automatic Lineup

All Collections:

• PAGANI DESIGN Watches
• Automatic Watches
• Waterproof Watches
• GMT Watches
• Watches Under $200
• 3-Year Warranty Details
• Contact Our Watch Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What automatic movement does the PD-YS028 use?
A: The spec sheet lists "Automatic Mechanical" without naming a specific caliber. This is an unnamed CN or mid-tier automatic movement rather than a named Japanese caliber like Miyota 8215. Performance testing showed ±17 seconds/day average — functional for daily wear, slightly wider tolerance than named Japanese movements.

Q: Can I swim with this watch?
A: Yes — 100M (10 Bar) with screw-down crown makes it fully swim-capable for pool and ocean use. Always verify the crown is tightened fully before entering water. Not rated for scuba diving (requires 200M+).

Q: Is the exhibition caseback a problem for water resistance?
A: At 100M, the exhibition caseback is sealed adequately for recreational swimming and daily water exposure. Serious divers typically prefer solid casebacks for maximum long-term water resistance, but for recreational use the PD-YS028's rating is reliable.

Q: How does this compare to the PINDU 6510 Water Ghost ($107.97)?
A: Both are diver automatics with sapphire crystal, rotating bezel, screw-down crown, and 100M water resistance. PD-YS028 adds exhibition caseback, larger 42mm case, PAGANI DESIGN brand quality, and sky blue diver dial. PINDU 6510 offers ceramic bezel (more scratch-resistant) at $112 less. Choose based on budget, case size preference, and whether exhibition caseback matters.

Q: What is the bracelet length?
A: Listed as "standard men's fit" — approximately 18-20cm estimated. For wrists over 8", contact PrimeTimepiece to confirm fit before ordering.

Q: Is there a leather strap option?
A: Yes — the listing mentions leather strap as an optional band type. Note that leather straps are not recommended for swimming; use the steel bracelet or rubber strap for water activities.

Q: How thick is the case?
A: Not listed in the spec sheet. As a 42mm diver with rotating bezel and screw-down crown, expect approximately 13-14mm — typical for the category. Thicker than slim dress automatics (PD-YS023 at 11.2mm) but standard for sport divers.

Conclusion: The Diver PAGANI DESIGN Was Born to Make

The PAGANI DESIGN PD-YS028 completes the brand's automatic story in this catalog. Where the PD-YS023 and PD-YS027 are dress and everyday automatics, the PD-YS028 is the sport diver — the watch built to get wet, to track elapsed time, to sit confidently on the wrist of someone who uses their watch rather than merely wearing it. The sky blue dial, sapphire crystal, rotating bezel, screw-down crown, and exhibition caseback at $219.99 represent exactly what PAGANI DESIGN does best: maximum specification per dollar in a well-executed package that competes well above its price tier.

Review conducted over 2 weeks of daily wear including pool sessions, office days, and active weekend use by Cesar R for PrimeTimepiece. Watch provided for review. All opinions are honest and unbiased.