CREPAS Watches DECOMASTER thePROTOTYPEs

By TLex If ever there was a case of the pictures being able to do all the talking, this would be it



� they tell a story of  three spectacular versions of one very special dive watch known as the DECOMASTER, the culmination of 5 years immersion in the field of dive watches.



With the DECOMASTER, CREPAS have revisited a little known experimental prototype watch based on an historical Omega diver, the Seamster 1000m.



As they did with the LeGRAND and every other model since it, CREPAS have created a watch that has all the charm and appeal of the vintage model that inspired it,



combined with the very latest materials and specifications that one might expect to find on a high-end modern Swiss mechanical dive watch being sold for more than 3 or 4 time sits price.



Not only does DECOMASTER boast a slew of high-end divers features; such as its Helium Escape Valve,



its 4000 meters of water-resistance or its set of interchangeable divers bezel complete with Sapphire crystal inlay,



but it makes use of a simple yet effective means of measuring depth using color via a chromatic depth gauge that has been incorporated into one of its 3 bezels.



Improving on the watch�s water-resistance by 2800 meters meant increasing both the crystal and the caseback thickness.



However this was achieved without having to increase the overall thickness beyond 15mm. The knock on effect resulted in the slimmer ETA 2892-A2 caliber being chosen to power it.



CREPAS are offering the DECOMASTER at a promotional net rate of 743 euros until, tomorrow, December 22nd. It will only be available to reserve until December 31st 2015.



Interested parties should contact CREPAS, directly.

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TERRA CIELO MARE Artiglio ABISSO

By TLex Here�s another look at the ARTIGLIO from Terra Cielo Mare in a new DEEP BLUE colorway dedicated to the underwater realm.

Now in its 3rd year of sales, TCM call this version of the Artiglio Abisso. Artiglio relates to the names of two steamships from the 20s and 30s, the Artiglio and its successor, the Artiglio -



while Abisso denotes the watch�s abyssal 1000 meters of water-resistance. TCM say that the watch is used by professional caved divers, salvage divers by offshore divers working on board oil rigs.



Divers features include: a 52mm case in Grade 2 Titanium and Stainless steel, divers bezel, a Helium Escape Valve, a screwdown crown and caseback, a domed mineral crystal, water-resistant to 100 atmospheres.

Artiglio Abisso is powered by an ETA 2824. It is priced at 2000�.

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PANERAI Luminor Submersible 1950 CARBOTECH

By TLex The Luminor Submersible 1950 CARBOTECH� 3 Days Automatic AKA PAM00616 boasts a case made of carbotech,



a remarkable new composite material based on carbon fiber; so far it has not been used in the world of watchmaking before.

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ORIS Aquis Depth GAUGE & Jerome DELAFOSSE

By TLex Documentary film producer and environmentalist, Jerome Delafosse who has dedicated his life to ocean preservation in particular sharks takes a plunge with ORIS Aquis Depth GAUGE!



Liked this? Read up on the all new Aquis Depthe Gauge CHRONO. Check out the Aquis Depth Gauge DLC . . .

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IWC Aquatimer CHRONOGRAPH Edition La Cumbre VOLCANO

By TLex IWC have extended their 2014 Aquatimer family with a further three new models for 2016. These include: the Aquatimer Automatic 2000, the Aquatimer Automatic Edition Expedition Jacques-Yves COUSTEAU and the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition La Cumbre Volcano Ref. IW379505,

which will be produced in a Limited Edition of 500 watches. The diver features an INC-manufactured 89365-calibre movement. It is water-resistant to 30 bar, the chronograph has a flyback function, automatic winding and a power reserve of 68 hours.



The dive time can be set using the mechanical external/internal rotating bezel. This ingenious in-house development from IWC combines the legibility of an internal rotating dive ring with the ease of use of an external bezel.

The IWC SafeDive system ensures that the inner ring can be moved only anticlockwise. The luminescent coating on the hands, numerals and internal rotating bezel guarantee optimum legibility under water.



The Limited Edition is dedicated to the La Cumbre volcano on the island of Fernandina. The internal rotating bezel, central seconds and minute hand of the chronograph display are dark red in color to symbolize seething magma. The engraving on the case back shows the volcano erupting.

The stainless-steel case is coated with matte black rubber, which gives the watch its singular feel. Every case is individually pressure and heat-bonded with the rubber. Part of the proceeds from sales is used to support the Charles DARWIN Foundation.

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IWC Aquatimer AUTOMATIC 2000 [2016]

By TLex IWC have extended their 2014 Aquatimer family with a further three new models for 2016. These include: the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition La Cumbre VOLCANO and the Aquatimer Automatic Edition Expedition Jacques-Yves COUSTEAU and the Aquatimer Automatic 2000 Ref. IW358001



that now comes with yellow hands and numerals and a black dial. The watch can traces its roots back to a dive watch designed by Ferdinand A. Porsche in 1982 for mine clearance divers. It is water-resistant to 2000 meters.



the Aquatimer Automatic 2000 is powered by an IWC-manufactured 80110-calibre movement with automatic winding and a 44-hour power reserve. The watch has a mechanical external/internal rotating bezel,



the SafeDive system and luminescent elements. The movement is housed in a 46-millimetre Titanium case. The engraving of a deep-sea diver on the caseback and the black rubber strap complete the overall divers look.

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ORIS Aquis GREAT BARRIER REEF Limited Edition II

By TLex Oris has partnered with the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) to help protect and preserve the world�s largest reef system, the Great Barrier Reef! This is particularly special because this the AMCS 50th anniversary year.



This is the second time Oris has partnered with the AMCS, following a successful partnership in 2010. The AMCS was founded in 1965 with a vision to protect Australia�s diverse ocean wildlife. Its work focuses on threatened species, making the country�s fisheries sustainable, and keeping oceans free from pollution.



The Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition II is limited to 2000 pieces and based on the Aquis, Oris�s popular diver�s watch. One of the new model�s standout features is its innovative day display, indicated via an inner chapter ring.



The watch is not only inspired by the sea, but has been designed for great functionality and legibility while in the sea. So while the dark sea-blue dial and coral yellow detailing mirror the color palette of the Great Barrier Reef, they also create contrast and therefore legibility, even in the murky conditions below the surface of the water.



The watch�s diving credentials start with its 46mm Stainless steel case, which is water-resistant to 500 meters; a unidirectional rotational divers bezel boasts an inlay made of black polished ceramic. Scratch-resistant and non-corrosive, Oris claim to have first pioneered its use in divers watches a number of years ago.



The watch also features the Oris-developed safety anchor and quick-adjust sliding-sledge folding clasp on the rubber strap. These devices were developed in partnership with professional divers and make Oris diver�s watches more secure and easier to slip on and off over a wetsuit.



The Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition II is a striking, high-functioning diver�s watch that makes a significant contribution to the work of one of the world�s most respected and effective marine conservation charities. It will be available from February, 2016, priced 2100CHF.



Oris will make a donation to the charity�s vital work, funded from sales of the Limited Edition diver�s watch called the Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition II.

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VintageVDB 2013 Military GREEN

By TLex Vintage-VDB have released a special series of the VDB 2013, known as VDB 2013 Military Green. They have been produced in a series of just 40 watches. Special features include; a military green dial with a prominent orange seconds indicator and a white vintage frogman silhouette.



The frogan motif is repeated again as an engraving on the caseback along with the watch's number / 40. Included with the watch are two handmade VDB handmade, a rubber VDB divers strap plus a handmade VDB key-chain.



Price: 1790�. More information can be found about the watch on the new VDB FORUM.

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VISCONTI Scuba Abyssus 3000M [continuation of a Florentine dive watch legacy]

By TLex What happens when an Italian maker of fine writing instruments turns their hand to extreme diving watches? Something extraordinary, that's what; and this is the result, the Scuba Abyssus 3000M from Visconti.

The Florentine brand are best known for creating beautifully crafted high-end; ballpoint, roller and fountain pens. Not only are Visconti�s writing instruments exquisite, they have been used for the signing of some important documentation over the years.



One such document was for the 2010 centenary of the Mus�e Oc�anographique de Monaco, which incidentally was where HUBLOT first unveiled their extreme diver, the Oceanographic 4000M. Suffice to say, this could have been where the first seeds of the Scuba Abyssus were planted!?? I digress! ;)

The exact details of the watch�s conception are unknown to me (at this stage), but what I do know, is that when Visconti�s Florentine neighbor, ANONIMO were sadly taken over, some of the engineers went to work with Visconti, subsequently working on the Scuba Abyssus. They also continued to work closely (as they did when they were at Anonimo) with the CNS, Italy's National Diver Centre; only this time, it was for the development of a Visconti diver; hence the �CNS International� logo at 6 o�clock on its dial in recognition of their cooperation.



The Scuba Abyssus features what is known as a monobloc-case, which means that it doesn�t have a removable caseback, so that the movement, dial and the rest of the watch�s inner-workings are loaded through the top of the case. One main advantage of a monobloc-case, is that it eliminates one of the watch�s most venerable entry point, thus increasing the possibility for a higher level of water-resistance.



The Scuba Abyssus� monobloc case, which measures 45mm x 17.5mm is fitted with a 5mm thick Sapphire crystal, a Helium escape valve and a saw-tooth edged ratcheting, rotational divers bezel (the top of which is a little too reminiscent of Clerc's Hydroscaph for me) � as well two new divers watch safety features: a locking mechanism for its divers bezel (switch at 4 o�clock) and a second locking system for the crown. Patents are pending for both innovations.



The case will be available in three materials, each available in Limited Editions of 399 pieces: Bronze ref. W108-01-131-00, Stainless steel ref. W108-00-123-00 and Titanium ref. W108-02-132-00.

Further features of the Scuba Abyssus 3000M include: Visconti�s signature skeleton-ized lugs and a bronze 'Abyssus' name plate. The lug design is said to echo that of a famous Florentine bridge - it should save a little weight, too. Power comes by way of a Soprod A10-2 Swiss made automatic movement. Its features include a power-reserve indicator, seen at 12 o�clock on the dial.



So what are we to make of the Scuba Abyssus? For those of you that have been craving something new and original � voil�! For those of us that have been left hanging after Anonimo were taken over � there is still hope in Visconti, who are set to take on the mantle. Yes, there's a hell of a lot going on design-wise, it�s unrestrained to say the least, but it is an incredibly technical looking device, which in many ways epitomizes a diving instrument.

And what it does bring, is a much needed sense of drama that is sadly lacking in world of homogenized divers. I for one love it, but am sure that many will find it an acquired taste. Finally, there is no question that its build is going to be of an exceptional quality and that its price-tag is going to be equally exceptional. 

So far the Scuba Abyss hasn't finished production and nothing official has been released yet, so stay tuned for more soon . . .

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MAURICE LACROIX Pontos S FC Barcelona SE

By TLex Any Bar�a fans out there?! Swiss watchmaker, Maurice Lacroix, who are an official club sponsor of FC Barcelona (one of the world's biggest football clubs and most famous global footballing brands) have released a series of watches with the FC Bar�a logo and blue and red club colors.



With its three year partnership and the football season already underway, an exclusively designed FC Barcelona Special Edition of the Pontos S will be available from FC Barcelona shops and official Maurice Lacroix retailers from October. It will come on either; a striking NATO strap in FC Bar�a colors or with a Stainless steel divers bracelet.



Specifications of the watch are as the original PONTOS S: a 43mm Stainless steel case with an anti-reflective coated Sapphire crystal, an internal timing bezel, and a water-resistance to 200 meters. The watch is powered by a Swiss made, automatic ML caliber 112 (base ETA Valjoux 7750) with 25 jewels, beating at 28,800 vph, and with a power reserve of 46 hours.

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EXPENDABLES 3 The WATCHES

By TLex The third installment of 'The Expendables' has already hit the big screen; so what's on everyone's wrist?



The first two films saw members of the Expendables mercenary team equipped with Panerai's.



For Expendables 2, the cast were once again sporting PAMs, only these were BRONZOs.



This time round the Expendables cast mixes it up a little with models from Brietling, Panerai, Richard Mille and U-BOAT.



As we discovered HERE, Sylvester Stallone wore his 140,000USD RM32 in Ti by Richard Mille.



Arnold Schwarzenegger went for his wabi sabi style, UNICUM U-42 from U-BOAT.



Arnie wore his U-1942 for the premier; however his most recent acquisition is his bespoke VintageVDB AS - THE ONE.



Kelsey Grammer also went for a U-Boat, and looks like he's wearing a Classico in 18k Gold.



Expendables' 3 Paneristi included: Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Randy Couture and Terry Crews � who all were models such as the PAM 389.



UFC fighter, Ronda Rousey can be seen wearing the Snyper One Grey PVD.



Mel Gibson wore what looks like a first generation Breitling Super Avenger. Here's the new SUPER Avenger II. 



Nothing has been spotted on the wrist's of Antonio Banderas, Harrison Ford or Wesley Snipes.



I haven't actually seen the film yet, so am only going by posters and screenshots. If you have any more info, feel free to drop me a line ;)

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