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!

Read More

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 . . .

Read More

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!

Read More

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 . . .

Read More

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!

Read More

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 . . .

Read More