H2O Kalmar Prototypes (preview)

By TLex Last week I was lucky enough to receive the new H2O Kalmar prototypes for a bit of play. First impressions are great, the titanium cases feel lovely and light, the tones of the titanium are nice and soft. The DLC finish is a dusky matte not a glossy black; If you�re into the tactical look you'll love the DLC version. The watches feel very substantial, almost tank-like. Yes, the lugs are quite large, noticeably so, too, but not overwhelming by any means. There'll be a bit of an overhang for those with smaller wrists; those with slightly larger wrists or those that wear their watches close to the base of the hand won't feel anything too unusual.



The bezel is the 60 click type, ergonomics are great, but the crown was a little too snug into the crown guard for those with larger fingers. The overall finish and build quality is excellent, the beveling on the crown guards beautifully executed. The case back engraving isn�t deep enough or nearly pronounced enough, but the production model will have a deeper engraving, so the squid is gonna look even cooler. The bracelets are light and comfortable; the DLC one needs a little more work; the DLC links weren�t coated in-between the links that well, but production models will be redone properly. The Kalmar buckle not shown here is incredible, I�ll post some shots that I took of the Mokume Gane buckle shortly.



The dials were lovely and crisp, even when you consider their size and shape, and how close the gaps are between the markers. The water-resistance text is looks quite small to me, I�m not sure if H2O will change this, though. The lume is super nice, see for yourself! Looks wise it�s a charismatic piece, not what I'd consider a gentleman�s watch but rugged and manly. It seems like a hell of lot of watch for its asking price, too!

H2O will open pre-orders on Friday; stay tuned for an announcement then.























� OceanicTime

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ZENTON Bronze 500m (exclusive content)

By TLex ZENTON, who created the M45, one of the finest factory cased divers I have had the pleasure to experience, now showing us that they are about much more. Their new bronze fixed bezel diver measures 42mm �, and as the dial states is rated to 500m. My first instinct was to draw comparisons with Germano & Walter's 500m, specifically their latest bronze version; there's its un-guarded crown, a fixed bezel, the sober styling and of course the use of bronze, which has become quite fashionable in the Boutique sector.

However on reflection the similarities end there; the ZENTON 500m (it has no official name yet) seems more symmetrically shaped, no doubt with a far more reasonable overall case length than that of the G&W 500m, which measures 57mm. It also feels more like a contemporary diver than a vintage recreation. It will come be fitted with an ETA 2824-2 (most likely regulated as other ZENTON models).

I love the direction that companies like ZENTON and more recently HELSON are heading, albeit if just to show that they are capable of thinking outside the box once in a while, and are passionate about dive watches, not just in their more generic forms with rotating divers bezels and Helium Escape Valves, but as living breathing creations with depth and charisma. And I'm not just talking about the use of bronze either, the new ZENTON 500m would have much appeal if realized in stainless steel.

ZENTON are offering just 20 pieces of their bronze fixed bezel diver; its price will be circa 1'200USD. Stay tuned for much more . . .

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POSEIDON Watches (intro)

By TLex 1958 saw the invention of the first single hose regulator by Ingvar Elfstr�m, who with Dennis �sterlund co-founded the then 'Aqua Sports' scuba equipment manufacturer. Today they are better known as POSEIDON, a Swedish diving systems company based in the outskirts Gothenburg. Their scuba applications, which include the world's first re-breather intended for recreational use are widely used, not just by recreational divers, but by both commercial and military scuba divers. They are Purveyors to His Majesty the King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden.







Poseidon Watches are manufactured for the Poseidon scuba company by Capella Industries, who also produce Lambretta Watches and SAS Retro Watches. There are currently two divers models in the Poseidon Watches line: the Date and the Chrono; both models utilize the same 46mm stainless steel case with 200m water-resistance. The Date houses the Miyota 2115 Day-Date movement, whilst the Chrono Miyota OS20 Chronograph movement.







Both watches, which are in the 2-300 euro price range could be best described as cheap and cheerful, possibly making for suitable beaters; however a third model is planned with a Mechanical movement, a sapphire crystal and an increased water-resistance. Stay tuned for more . . .

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CAVENAGO Albatross (intro)

By TLex Cavenago are family run watch company based in Milan, Italy. They have three divers models in their first collection, all of which share the same vintage inspired case; itself somewhat reminiscent of the legendary Benrus Type I. The 45mm stainless steel case is water-resistant to 300 meters. It features a screw-down crown and caseback, a rotational divers bezel and is fitted with a sapphire crystal. The case comes in two finishes satin or polished.



The Cavenago GMT model, the Albatross is so called after the migratory sea bird that crosses several time-zones during its migration, where it can travel up to 1�800 kilometers in a single day. The Albatross houses a modified Swiss ETA 2836 with GMT function. The watch is limited edition of just 100 pieces; Cavenago�s annual output is no more the 599 pieces per year. For further information on this or any of their other models please follow the link to their website at the bottom the post.



MOVEMENT Caliber: original Swiss modified ETA 2836 automatic Functions: hours, minutes and second, GMT, date display in window Jewels: 25 / Hz: 4/28.800 vibrations per hour

CASE, DIAL & HANDS Material: stainless steel Diameter: 45 mm Finish: satin/polish Waterproof: 30 ATM Back: screw Glass: sapphire Dial: black Hands: white Super-LumiNova : on dial, hands and bezel Crown: screw-down


� Cavenago & OceanicTime

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POSEIDON Automatic 500M (preview)

From POSEIDON This is a preview of our new model, the Automatic 500m. The design is inspired from the Poseidon re-breather DISCOVERY. With a Miyota 8215 MECHANICAL AUTOMATIC movement your watch will never run out of battery, but will charge while you are moving your wrist. With the Screw down crown you can secure this 44mm solid stainless steel watch for dives to 500 meters.

Other features are; Sapphire crystal and a solid stainless steel bracelet with an extension buckle to fit over your dive suit. The Rotation Bezel helps you keep track of how long you're diving. Simply rotate the bezel and aim the Super LumiNova triangle on the bezel towards the minute hand. Hands, index and even all Bezel graphics are filled with white Super LumiNova that will charge in the sun or a strong light. This will provide a strong light blue glow in the dark.



- MIYOTA 8215 MECHANICAL AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT
- SOLID STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET / EXTENSION BUCKLE
- SUPER LUMINOVA INDEX. HANDS AND ROTATION BEZEL
- ROTATION BEZEL WITH INDICATOR
- 50ATM- 500METERS/1650FEET
- 44 MM STAINLESS STEEL CASE
- SCREW-DOWN CROWN
- SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL

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H2O Kalmar Prototypes Part.4 (DLC / Mokume Gane Combo)

By TLex There could be no better illustration of the versatility of the H2O Kalmar than the use of contrasting materials for its bezel, crown guard and even buckle. Featured here the Kalmar DLC exquisitely highlighted with a Mokume Gane bezel and crown guard. Among others H2O will also be offering interchangeable components in Damascus Steel; the possibilities are endless!




� H2O Watch & OceanicTime

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STEINHART Ocean Forty Four GMT BLACK (new)

By TLex Steinhart - in no way being coy about where they take their design cues from! You would be forgiven for thinking that their new Ocean Forty Four GMT is the lovechild of the GMT Master and the DEEP SEA. Though in all fairness Steinhart are one those who do the Rolex look very well! Gotta love that sapphire bezel, too. For more details on this and other STEINHART divers click on their icon at the bottom of the post.



From STEINHART The new Ocean Forty-Four GMT is our modern interpretation of a classic design, whose massive processing is a guarantee for high durability and superior quality. It will master any occasion and knows to impress with such sophisticated detailing as the sapphire crystal bezel inlay and a finely engraved Rehaut. In the world of sports watches, this is one of the very few examples in its price range which demonstrates such an excellent cost-performance ratio.








� Steinhart

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HELSON 3'500m GAUGE Prototype

By TLex Are you ready to have your world rocked?! This incredible looking 3'500m diver is HELSON's latest creation. 



Taking its inspiration from a vintage depth gauge; its 47mm titanium case features a bronze fixed bezel and has been fitted with a vintage style hand-cut 5.5mm thick domed sapphire crystal. 



Notice the crown position between the lugs at 6 o'clock and the HEV positioned at 12 o'clock. 



The watch's case thickness with the crystal is 22.5mm, but Peter Helson assures me that without the crystal the case isn't any thicker than their Shark Diver is.



In other words, it's wearable! More details to follow . . .

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REACTOR Poseidon Giveaway

From TLex REACTOR Watches are the kind sponsors of this month's OceanicTime Giveaway. Up for grabs is their very latest diver, the POSEIDON; a beast of a watch measuring 48mm x 17mm and weighing in at 255 grams. It is depth tested to 1'000 meters, meets with (and in some cases exceeds) ISO standards for a divers watch, has both internal and external timing bezels and 10-year lithium power cell. The lucky winner can chose between TWO models; the YELLOW dialed version with a full bracelet and divers extension clasp or the RED dial with a secure rubber divers strap.






HOW TO WIN the new REACTOR Poseidon . . .

STEP (1) Go to the REACTOR & OceanicTime Facebook pages and click 'LIKE' (you must like both pages)

STEP (2) Go to the REACTOR website and cut the first NINE words of the 1st sentence that is written in the Poseidon's description (here).

Step (3) Paste the completed sentence into an email and send it to me at oceanictime@oceanictime.net with the Subject marked: 'REACTOR Poseidon Giveaway'.

The contest will run from February 21st - March 21st. The lucky winner will be announced shortly after. GOOD LUCK everyone!

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MARCELLO C Hydrox (a dive watch with a deadly name)

By TLex After extensive design studies and numerous prototypes here is the final iteration of the new MARCELLO C HYDROX. The 300m HYDROX takes its name from the gas mixture of Hydrogen and Oxygen that is breathed by deep sea divers. This mixture allows them to descend to great depths. Hydrox, which is highly explosive, can be a further hazard to the diver as the presence of Hydrogen in the mixture has a narcotic effect, which can cause Hydrogen Narcosis, which in turn can cause confusion, disorientation and hallucinations making Hydrox potentially lethal to work with; still wanna be a deep sea diver?

The HYDROX watch with its contemporary aesthetic is a far safer option than its namesake, that's not to say that its design elements are in anyway staid far from it Marcello C. have developed a very nice looking watch with a bold dial layout and striking handset, albeit not too dissimilar from those of the latest Aquatimers. The bracelet with its push button clasp a further indication of the extent to which Marcello C. took the development of their new dive watch; it looks superb!

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