ENNEBI Fondale BRONZO Ref.9680

By TLex I have just received these images from a friend of mine in Prato, Italy. They are of my new ENNEBI Fondale BRONZO Ref. 9680. The Fondale Bronzo is based on the regular Fondale, a watch that has garnered itself a bit of a cult following from dive watch aficionados. They even have a fan or two in Hollywood!

The sumptuous finish of the watch case has been achieved by a method of patinization, which gives it its warm dark tones. The new Fondale BRONZO further distinguishes itself from its predecessors because unlike them, it now features a new ENNEBI signed crown and a sapphire crystal. Thank you, Alessandro and Luciano, I can't wait for it to arrive!

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OLIVIER Bronze DIVER NewDials

By TLex Since the OLIVIER Bronze DIVER was introduced on OceanicTime last week, three new dial options have been added. The watch is now available with a total of 4 dial options, which are: original black (3 date window), original black (no date), dark mahogany and Prussian blue.

The new dial options are also available to any existing customers, who have already ordered; all you need do is contact OLIVIER and tell them which new dial you would like. To order your OLIVIER Bronze DIVER, please visit their online shop. For further details please follow the OLIVIER icon at the bottom the post . . .

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OceanicTime 2011 RoundUp

By TLex 2011 has been another fantastic year for dive watches. We have seen some the most technically advanced, some the deepest, the most expensive and the most exotic divers models ever produced. Here are a few that stood out for me over the year, they are in no particular order . . .

Hi-END The release of OMEGA's new Planet Ocean family was not only of significance to the dive watch industry, but to the watch industry as a whole. I was lucky enough to get my hands on two of the new models, the PO Cal. 8500 and OMEGA's new flagship model, the Titanium Liquidmetal� Chrono, which houses their latest in-house movement, the Cal.9300

The Ball ENGINEER Hydrocarbon DeepQUEST is Ball's most technically advanced model to date. Its Titanium monobloc case boasts a water-resistance of 3000m.

ANONIMO Professionale C.N.S Although it's not a new model per-se, it was one of the dive watches released in 2011 that for me epitomized all that is great about dive watch design and engineering.

LUMINOX Deep Dive 1500 SERIES. A watch that can't be ignored, a milestone for LUMINOX and their most high-end model ever produced. I got to conduct an in-depth review of one.

HUBLOT King Power 48MM OCEANOGRAPHIC 4000. One of the deepest mechanical dive watches on the planet, but certainly not the prettiest, HUBLOT went for the over-designed, over-engineered look. Nevertheless a marvel of modern dive watch engineering.

BLANCPAIN X Fathoms After much hype and a lot of anticipation, the X Fathoms was unveiled. It may be the most technically advanced dive watch on the planet, but is it really a dive watch or just high-end mechanical dive computer?

BEST of the BOUTIQUES Newcomer H2O Watches have produced possibly one of if not the most customizable dive watch ever. Their base model the Kalmar has a water-resistance of 3000m, but was in fact tested to almost double that. H2O Watches continue to innovate with the use of exotic metals, such as Mokume Gane and Tungum.

ARMIDA's debut model the, A1 boasts an impressive highly domed crystal. The case design is original and it offers exceptional value for money.

BENARUS continue to do great things; not least of all was their special edition of the Megalodon III, the OceanicTime LE.

DAWN of the 2nd BRONZE AGE It would appear that there has been a bit of proliferation in the amount of bronze dive watches produced in 2011. Of those the PANERAI Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days BRONZO AKA PAM00382 has to be the most coveted. PANERAI made a couple of bronze prototypes in the early 80s, so in many ways pioneered the use of bronze in dive watch construction. Anonimo, who have a strong connection with PANERAI continued with that tradition as have ENNEBI with the Fondale BRONZO . . .

Happy New Year!

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AQUADIVE Bathyscaphe 100 DLC

By TLex AQUADIVE's design objective for the Bathyscaphe 100 DLC was to create a modern classic; a watch with classic looks, but that used modern materials and had a modern spec. They took a vintage styled case and protected it with a high-tech scratch-resistant DLC coating and a state of the art scratch-resistant ceramic bezel insert.

Then they gave it a water-resistance of 1000m and equipped it with a Helium Escape Valve, which they discretely placed between the watch's lugs. The result, a dive watch that at first glance looks like it has stepped right out the 60s, but under further inspection has a finish and a spec. that is as modern and as cutting edge as anything else that is currently being produced in the dive watch industry today.

The Bathyscaphe 100 DLC has been teamed with a matching black rubber divers strap from ISOFRANE, itself another modern-classic. I can't help, but admire how the grain of the metal still shows below the DLC coating, it makes a lovely contrasts with the gloss black of the bezel grip and crown; really beautiful! I wonder if the Bathyscaphe 300 will ever get the DLC treatment, now that would be something! For further details of the Bathyscaphe 100 DLC follow the AQUADIVE icon below . . .

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CORUM A'C' Seafender 48 Chrono CENTRO 'Troph�e Jules Verne'

By TLex In association with the Banque Populaire, a major player in the sailing world, CORUM are supporting one of the most sought-after nautical challenges: the Trophee Jules Verne. CORUM, who are the Official Timekeeper of this prestigious round-the-world race will present a dedicated watch to honor its partnership. CORUM have naturally chosen a model from their Admiral�s Cup collection � the watch of sailing devotees and enthusiasts since 1960 . . .

The dial of the Admiral�s Cup SEAFENDER 48 Chrono Centro bears the inscription 'Trophee Jules Verne 2012', while the back is engraved with a depiction of the race course. If the team manages to better the existing record, Corum will reward each member of the Maxi Trimaran Banque Populaire V crew with a watch from this special edition, personalized with his individual name. So the 14 crew members are engaged in the round-the-world race not only to carry off the Trophy, but also to win a CORUM watch!

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DOXA SUB 1200T Project Aware II

By TLex The world's oceans generate up to 70% of all oxygen on the planet, so feel DOXA Watches, they deserve our attention; and quite rightly so. DOXA have announced the SUB 1200T Project Aware II along with their continued partnership with the Project Aware foundation, whose team members will be equipped with the new turquoise dialed SUB 1200T. The new Project Aware II watch will be available in a Limited Edition of 300 pieces and can be pre-ordered for 1790USD instead of 1990USD as a 200USD portion of the watch's price will be donated to the Project Aware foundation to support the work they do protecting our oceans. The new model will start shipping towards the end of January . . .

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BREITLING Chronomat GMT

By TLex There was a huge buzz when Breitling unveiled their first in-house calibre, the B01, which was housed in the Chronomat 01, a high-end sports model of Breitling's Windrider line. Whilst not really a diver per se, the Chronomat 01 still had a 500m depth rating and a unidirectional rotatable divers bezel.

The B01 has experienced high praise in the media, the German watch publication, Uhren Magazin gave it their top score of 6 out of 6. Breitling then in August of 2009 released one of the first ever Wristwatch Apps for the iPhone, which they created for the Chronomat 01. Last October the Chronomat 01 Limited Edition was released and for Baselworld this year the Chronomat GMT housing the B04 was duly unveiled.



THE AUTHENTIC TRAVEL CHRONOGRAPH Adjusting instantly to the time and date of the place of arrival, while maintaining a 24-hour home-time display and without losing any precision in counting the minutes, must be every traveler�s dream. A dream now come true with the new Chronomat GMT, a travel watch from Breitling boasting unprecedented user friendliness. The wearer need only pull out the crown and turn it forwards or backwards to move between timezones in an outstandingly simple manner.

Equipped with the new Breitling Caliber 04, entirely developed and produced within the company workshops, the Chronomat GMT is one of the rare chronographs to offer such a smoothly functional dual timezone system. With its exclusive design and its dial featuring subtle three-dimensional effects, it is the new benchmark for all those who want to experience high performances in all parts of the world.



AN INNOVATE MECHANISM From the famous world-time Unitime, the star of the 1950s, to the current Navitimer World models with dual timezone display, travel watches have always had a special place in the Breitling collections. A natural vocation for the favorite pilots� brand that became �official supplier to world aviation�. Today, Breitling is returning to the forefront in this field by unveiling a new instrument distinguished by its smart and convivial operating mode.

To ensure peerless user friendliness, the firm�s watchmakers and engineers have developed a differential system � for which a patent has been duly filed � serving to disconnect the local hour hand from the gear train when changing timezone. This operation thus has no effect on the precision of the watch, nor on the performances of the chronograph.



A HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHRONOGRAPH The fact that the Chronomat GMT is such an exceptional instrument is also because it combines this extremely practical dual timezone system with a chronograph � and not just any chronograph. The brand-new Breitling Caliber 04 developed for this model is indeed derived from Breitling Caliber 01, the sturdiest, most reliable and most high-performance of all selfwinding chronograph movements, entirely designed and produced within the company workshops. It features the same original architecture and the same cutting-edge characteristics, including a column wheel, a vertical coupling clutch guaranteeing high-precision activation, and an over 70-hour power reserve � along with various innovative special characteristics such as the patented recentering device for the zero-resetting hammers.

Designed to provide maximum operational functionality and security, Caliber 04 is manufactured using a high-tech production-chain system revolutionizing traditional movement assembly processes. Breitling thereby guarantees the authentic reliability of its �instruments for professionals� on a large scale. As is the case for all the brand�s movements, this highperformance �engine� is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest token of precision.



A POWERFUL STYLE The new Chronomat GMT is based on the powerful, unique and quintessential design of Breitling�s leading model, with its imposing steel case featuring ultra-sturdy construction and water-resistant to 500 meters (1,650 ft), as well as its unidirectional rotating bezel engraved with exclusive numerals. However, its dial available in six colors with tone-on-tone or contrasting totalizers has been redesigned to give it a personality all its own. The applied hour-markers are fitted with highly original bases, inspired by Roman numerals.

This refined detail accentuates the square shape of the central gridwork-patterned central zone that stands out in subtle ways depending on how it catches the light. The triangular openworked red-tipped hand points to home time on a 24-hour graduated scale partially covered by the inner bezel � thereby giving the dial even more life and depth by playing on the third dimension.

The home-time hands and hour-markers are enhanced by a luminescent coating guaranteeing excellent readability by day and night. Entirely made in Switzerland and treated to extremely meticulous finishing, the Chronomat GMT may be teamed with a choice of various straps and bracelets offering a variety of styles and uses: the classic touch of Barenia or crocodile leather, the sporty spirit of rubber straps, and the sturdy masculine nature of the steel Pilot bracelet. A whole world of elegance and performance for the authentic travel chronograph.



PEERLESS FUNCTIONALITY The new Chronomat GMT is equipped with two central hour hands. The first matches the minute hand and runs over a 12-hour scale, while the second is tipped with a red triangle and runs in 24-hour mode. When the user is in his home country, the two hour hands move in a perfectly synchronized manner.



CHANGING TIMEZONE To adjust the 12-hour hand to local time, the user simply pulls the crown out to position 2 and turns it in either direction by the number of notches corresponding to the number of hours composing the time difference. The date display is indexed to this 12-hour hand and changes automatically if required, both backwards or forwards.

The red-tipped hand keeps track of home time on a 24-hour basis, thus enabling one to distinguish between day and night and avoiding the risk of waking family members, friends or business contacts by phoning them when they are sound asleep. And if the traveler makes stopovers in several different timezones, he need only repeat the same operation on each occasion and then, upon returning home, reset the two hands to the same time. It�s hard to imagine anything simpler!



MOVEMENT Breitling Caliber 04, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding, high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 47 jewels. Over 70-hour power reserve. 24-hour 2nd timezone display. 1/4th of a second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar.

CASE Steel. Water-resistant to 500 m (1,650 ft/ 50 bars). Screw-locked crown and pushpieces. Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel. Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Diameter: 47 mm.

DIALS Onyx Black, Metallica Blue, Blackeye Blue, Blackeye Gray, Sierra Silver, Metallica Brown.

STRAPS /BRACELET Barenia leather, crocodile leather, rubber Ocean Racer (perforated), rubber Diver Pro (with raised central ridge)/ Pilot.

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Girard-Perregaux SEA HAWK 1'000m

From GP Girard-Perregaux presents a new interpretation of the Sea Hawk Pro 1,000M. Immediately recognizable, its luminescent orange minute hand strengthens the inimitable style of this robust diving watch.



The name "Sea Hawk" has been used by Girard-Perregaux since the 1940s to designate models designed for use in extreme conditions. In spite of the significant evolutions and developments of the Brand in the field of diving watches, the collection's current design was conceived in 2002. Its style is characterised by generously-sized cases and a crown at 4 o'clock which is protected by an original, ergonomic crown shield.

The latest creation in the Sea Hawk Pro 1,000M range features a display on which its functions stand out clearly on a matt black dial. The bright orange touches on the minute and small second hands and on the power reserve indicator add dynamism to this bold diving watch, ensuring optimal readability of the dial even in murky conditions.



State-of-the-art technology and watchmaking expertise guarantee superb performance, including water resistance down to 1,000 metres to comply with standard ISO 6425 relating to diving watches. The GP033R0 movement with automatic winding and the case have been entirely developed and produced by the Manufacture. The case is equipped with a screwed crown, a unidirectional rotating bezel in steel to enable the dive time to be monitored, and a helium valve allowing decompression of the watch after deep dives.



The screwed case-back of this sporty, technical watch is adorned with engraving work symbolic of the Brand. The porpoise, anchor and trident of the engraving are a reference to a Girard-Perregaux patent which dates from the end of the 19th century, and at the time were accompanied by the inscription "Do nothing without advice".

The Sea Hawk Pro 1,000M is available with a rubber strap featuring a folding safety clasp. Its extension system allows the strap to be easily adjusted in order to compensate for differences in temperature or to enable the watch to be worn over a drysuit.



Steel case
Diameter: 44 mm
Crystal: sapphire
Helium decompression valve
Case-back and crown: screwed
Water resistance: 100 ATM
Girard-Perregaux Movement GP033R0 mechanical with automatic winding
Calibre: 11 ����
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)
Jewels: 27
Power reserve: minimum 46 hours
Functions: hour, minute, small second, power reserve indicator, date
Rubber strap
Safety folding clasp with extension system

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RICHARD MILLE RM 028 DIVER Dubail LE

From RM To celebrate Richard Mille's close collaboration with Dubail, a long established fine watch retailer in Paris, the watchmaker has designed a limited edition timepiece, the RM 028 Dubail.




Dubail is renowned for selecting exclusive watches for their clients who will now have access to the Richard Mille limited edition automatic divers watch. Twenty watches will have a titanium case with a DLC black treatment and an extra seven pieces will be available in red gold. All limited edition models have a unique dial which is engraved with Dubail�s prestigious name.




The RM 028 boasts an automatic-winding skeleton movement with an integrated variable geometry rotor, an exclusive Richard Mille concept which allows the automatic winding to adapt to the wearer�s activity. The round case of the RM 028 conceals a considerable amount of technical achievements. Indeed only this shape guarantees water resistance of 300 meters (30 ATM). This is achieved with a tripartite case construction, torque screws, and complete integration of the lugs into the case system.



The RM 028 Dubail Limited Edition is exclusively available from Dubail, one of the most highly renowned watch boutiques in France, who have been dedicated to the most fascinating art of watch making for the last 35 years.



* Skeletonized automatic winding movement

* Diameter: 47.00 mm x 14.60 mm

* Rotor with variable geometry

* Power reserve: circa 55 hours

* Water resistant to 300 meters

* Barrel arbor � in 20AP steel

* Balance: Glucydur, 4 arms, inertia moment 4.8 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53�

* Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)

* Balance spring: ELINVAR

* Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)

* Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)

* Stem with three positions: manual winding, time setting, date adjustment

* Limited edition of 20 pieces in DLC, 7 pieces available in red gold

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