Thursday, February 17, 2011
LUMINOX Deep Dive
By TLex The LUMINOX Deep Dive was actually released last year, but was delayed for one reason or another; I'm not sure if any even went to market, but here it is again if you missed it last year. 
From Luminox The new automatic Deep Dive is the latest addition to the Luminox collection of certified watches designed for diving professionals. These instruments, which have been used for over 20 years by the Navy Seals, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Stan Waterman, a pioneer in the field, are the pride of Luminox, a brand which continually strives to push back the limits of the ocean depths while fulfilling the most demanding specifications.
Water-resistant to 500 metres, the Deep Dive features an automatic helium valve, a bezel locking system (patent pending), and the unique Luminox Light Technology system. This ensures optimum visibility thanks to the micro-tubes which emit a blue glow, the last colour a diver can discern as he decends. Numbered limited edition.
MOVEMENT Automatic ETA FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds and date CASE Reinforced steel, 45 mm / Automatic helium valve / Bezel with locking system (BLS, patent pending) / BLS crown protection / 3mm sapphire crystal front and back / Water-resistant to 500 m / 50 ATM DIAL Black / Hourmarkers, hands and bezel numbers with LLT blue luminescent underwater system / Wide minute hand with double LLT tubes STRAP Black polyurethane with wetsuit extension system
Read More
From Luminox The new automatic Deep Dive is the latest addition to the Luminox collection of certified watches designed for diving professionals. These instruments, which have been used for over 20 years by the Navy Seals, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Stan Waterman, a pioneer in the field, are the pride of Luminox, a brand which continually strives to push back the limits of the ocean depths while fulfilling the most demanding specifications.
Water-resistant to 500 metres, the Deep Dive features an automatic helium valve, a bezel locking system (patent pending), and the unique Luminox Light Technology system. This ensures optimum visibility thanks to the micro-tubes which emit a blue glow, the last colour a diver can discern as he decends. Numbered limited edition.
MOVEMENT Automatic ETA FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds and date CASE Reinforced steel, 45 mm / Automatic helium valve / Bezel with locking system (BLS, patent pending) / BLS crown protection / 3mm sapphire crystal front and back / Water-resistant to 500 m / 50 ATM DIAL Black / Hourmarkers, hands and bezel numbers with LLT blue luminescent underwater system / Wide minute hand with double LLT tubes STRAP Black polyurethane with wetsuit extension system
H2O Kalmar Prototypes Part.3 (Mokume Gane)
By TLex H2O Watch has in the Kalmar realized an incredible dive watch that is both fully customizable, and self-configurable by its wearer. Its case, which houses a Swiss mechanical movement and is water-resistant to 3000 meters, has been constructed from Grade 5 Titanium. G5 Titanium is not as widely used in dive watch construction as say 316-L Stainless steel, but has been adopted by numerous upper echelon dive watch makers as their case material of choice for many of their flagship divers models (Clerc, Girard-Perregaux, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Richard Mille are among them) not only for its remarkable properties of which it is: tough, lightweight, hypoallergenic and self healing, but because it can be such an attractive metal. Even so Titanium could not be considered a particularly exceptional or rare a material used in dive watch construction; so what would be?
How about Damascus steel, which H2O have used to construct a custom rotor for this experimental version of the Kalmar? If not, then most certainly, Mokume Gane (???), which translates from Japanese as �wood grain� metal and is the product of a special process of bonding mixed-metals invented by Denbei Shoami in 17th-century Feudal Japan. Mokume Gane was used for sword fittings at a time when the decline of the katana industry had forced artisans to create purely decorative items. Achieving a successful lamination using traditional processes requires a highly skilled sword maker with a great deal of experience; in this instance a German knife maker of some repute, Uwe Suhrweier, who has partnered with H2O Watch for this and future projects.
H2O Watch (now pioneers in the use of exotic metals in dive watch construction) have realized a worldwide first using a unique combination of design and craftsmanship for the stunning H2O Kalmar Mokume Gane, which now joins the Titanium and Bead-blasted DLC versions. And owing to its handmade construction, where small imperfections are not uncommon, each and every watch created will become a rare gem. I should add that the production costs for Mokume Gane are unsurprisingly higher. This is because the material used to create Mokume Gane is approximately 60 times more expensive compared to stainless steel owing to a rejection rate that is around 50% higher. But what you�re left with is an exceptional dive watch that is both visually stunning and highly unique. Stay tuned for more . . .
� H2O Watch & OceanicTime
Read More
How about Damascus steel, which H2O have used to construct a custom rotor for this experimental version of the Kalmar? If not, then most certainly, Mokume Gane (???), which translates from Japanese as �wood grain� metal and is the product of a special process of bonding mixed-metals invented by Denbei Shoami in 17th-century Feudal Japan. Mokume Gane was used for sword fittings at a time when the decline of the katana industry had forced artisans to create purely decorative items. Achieving a successful lamination using traditional processes requires a highly skilled sword maker with a great deal of experience; in this instance a German knife maker of some repute, Uwe Suhrweier, who has partnered with H2O Watch for this and future projects.
H2O Watch (now pioneers in the use of exotic metals in dive watch construction) have realized a worldwide first using a unique combination of design and craftsmanship for the stunning H2O Kalmar Mokume Gane, which now joins the Titanium and Bead-blasted DLC versions. And owing to its handmade construction, where small imperfections are not uncommon, each and every watch created will become a rare gem. I should add that the production costs for Mokume Gane are unsurprisingly higher. This is because the material used to create Mokume Gane is approximately 60 times more expensive compared to stainless steel owing to a rejection rate that is around 50% higher. But what you�re left with is an exceptional dive watch that is both visually stunning and highly unique. Stay tuned for more . . .
� H2O Watch & OceanicTime
EDOX Under the ice with the Iceman
By TLex Here's the full EDOX & Christian Redl press release, a follow up to my previous post on Christian Redl's record ice-dive . . .
From EDOX A little mountain lake called Weissensee, situated in Carinthia, Austria, has the largest surface of ice in the Alps. It is the place chosen by Christian Redl for his attempt on February 12, 2011, to beat the world record for freediving under ice. The current record has been set at �56 meters.
In February, the temperature of the water is around 2�C. Through a square opening cut out of the massive layer of ice, the water appears: pitch-black, inhospitable, deadly.
In the midst of this icy world, Christian Redl will only be wearing a thin neoprene diving suit, a mere 3 mm thick. With his body covered in grease so that he can resist as long as possible the cold that is going to numb him to the bone, he will lower himself into this shadowy universe.
At a depth where his lungs, constricted by the pressure from above, will have shrunk to the size of a fist, Christian Redl will have to keep his clear-headedness and summon the strength necessary to go down to �60 meters and carry away the title of world champion.
This dive will last about 120 seconds. Beyond this limit, the sensation of cold will become increasingly intense and fatally dangerous. Christian Redl, who was born in Austria in 1976, has become the world specialist in freediving under ice. Besides this exploit, for him there is also a philosophy of life: an attraction to the extremes, continually pushing the limits even further, and living his life to the fullest.
On his wrist and during the record-breaking attempt, Christian Redl will be wearing the new Edox watch, the Iceman I Limited Edition, a sturdy high-tech model that can be used under water down to a depth of 1000 meters. In addition to its rubber strap, the Iceman I boasts a magnificent black carbon dial with orange numerals that provide optimal readability under water, and the case back is superbly engraved with the freediver�s name. The watch is equipped with a solid mechanical movement and is decorated with a rotatable, unidirectional black ceramic bezel.
Edox, the Swiss watchmaker whose history is marked by countless inventions � some of which have remained unsurpassed up to this day � is Christian Redl�s official timing partner. Sturdiness, extreme conditions, technological expertise and reliability are the keys to their joint philosophies.
Read More
From EDOX A little mountain lake called Weissensee, situated in Carinthia, Austria, has the largest surface of ice in the Alps. It is the place chosen by Christian Redl for his attempt on February 12, 2011, to beat the world record for freediving under ice. The current record has been set at �56 meters.
In February, the temperature of the water is around 2�C. Through a square opening cut out of the massive layer of ice, the water appears: pitch-black, inhospitable, deadly.
In the midst of this icy world, Christian Redl will only be wearing a thin neoprene diving suit, a mere 3 mm thick. With his body covered in grease so that he can resist as long as possible the cold that is going to numb him to the bone, he will lower himself into this shadowy universe.
At a depth where his lungs, constricted by the pressure from above, will have shrunk to the size of a fist, Christian Redl will have to keep his clear-headedness and summon the strength necessary to go down to �60 meters and carry away the title of world champion.
This dive will last about 120 seconds. Beyond this limit, the sensation of cold will become increasingly intense and fatally dangerous. Christian Redl, who was born in Austria in 1976, has become the world specialist in freediving under ice. Besides this exploit, for him there is also a philosophy of life: an attraction to the extremes, continually pushing the limits even further, and living his life to the fullest.
On his wrist and during the record-breaking attempt, Christian Redl will be wearing the new Edox watch, the Iceman I Limited Edition, a sturdy high-tech model that can be used under water down to a depth of 1000 meters. In addition to its rubber strap, the Iceman I boasts a magnificent black carbon dial with orange numerals that provide optimal readability under water, and the case back is superbly engraved with the freediver�s name. The watch is equipped with a solid mechanical movement and is decorated with a rotatable, unidirectional black ceramic bezel.
Edox, the Swiss watchmaker whose history is marked by countless inventions � some of which have remained unsurpassed up to this day � is Christian Redl�s official timing partner. Sturdiness, extreme conditions, technological expertise and reliability are the keys to their joint philosophies.
CLERC Hydroscaph Steel GMT
From CLERC Clerc begins the year with the Hydroscaph Steel GMT, one of the world's most sophisticated diver's watches. Water-resistant to 1,000 metres, it revisits the underwater world in confident and dynamic style, resolutely geared up for adventure. Sporting a new material, colour and dial, the collection is optimised while maintaining its characteristic design features: the 103-part octagonal case, extreme readability, and the automatic helium valve.
MOVEMENT Automatic, exclusive Calibre C606, 28,800 vph, 28 jewels, bevelled bridges adorned with 'C�tes de Gen�ve' motif and blued screws, 45-hour power reserve
FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds, date, dual time-zone display and power-reserve indicator
CASE 316L steel, 44.6 mm / Exclusive crown-activated rotating bezel mechanism / Automatic helium valve / Sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment, front and back / Water-resistant to 1,000 m
DIAL Second time zone at 12 o'clock / Power-reserve indicator disc at 6 o'clock / Date window at 3 o'clock
STRAP Crocodile-patterned rubber with folding clasp
Read More
MOVEMENT Automatic, exclusive Calibre C606, 28,800 vph, 28 jewels, bevelled bridges adorned with 'C�tes de Gen�ve' motif and blued screws, 45-hour power reserve
FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds, date, dual time-zone display and power-reserve indicator
CASE 316L steel, 44.6 mm / Exclusive crown-activated rotating bezel mechanism / Automatic helium valve / Sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment, front and back / Water-resistant to 1,000 m
DIAL Second time zone at 12 o'clock / Power-reserve indicator disc at 6 o'clock / Date window at 3 o'clock
STRAP Crocodile-patterned rubber with folding clasp
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
AQUANAUTIC Super King Hydro Craft
From AQUANAUTIC With its complex laser-sculpted case and powerful design, the new Aquanautic is entirely in line with the brand traditions. Combining the two elements of water and air has given rise to a stunning chronograph with a dual time-zone display. Its readability adapts to depths of down to 500 metres, while the locking system of its double crown is designed like a decompression chamber. The result is a model guaranteeing absolute security for both divers and pilots.
MOVEMENT Automatic, Valjoux Calibre 7750, 46-hour power reserve / Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, dual time-zone and chronograph
CASE Stainless steel, titanium and black PVD or 18K pink gold, 47 mm/ Sapphire crystal with double anti-glare treatment / Unidirectional rotating bezel / Screw-locked crowns and pushers with security lock / Water-resistant to 500 m / 5 ATM
DIAL Black / Luminova hands and hour-markers / Dual time-zone display on inner bezel / Hour, minute and seconds counters at 6, 12 and 9 o�clock respectively / Day and date windows at 4.30 and 7.30
STRAP Hand-stitched red leather with rubber lining, double folding clasp
Read More
MOVEMENT Automatic, Valjoux Calibre 7750, 46-hour power reserve / Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, dual time-zone and chronograph
CASE Stainless steel, titanium and black PVD or 18K pink gold, 47 mm/ Sapphire crystal with double anti-glare treatment / Unidirectional rotating bezel / Screw-locked crowns and pushers with security lock / Water-resistant to 500 m / 5 ATM
DIAL Black / Luminova hands and hour-markers / Dual time-zone display on inner bezel / Hour, minute and seconds counters at 6, 12 and 9 o�clock respectively / Day and date windows at 4.30 and 7.30
STRAP Hand-stitched red leather with rubber lining, double folding clasp
EBERHARD & CO Chrono 4 G�ant Titanium LE
By TLex Eberhard & Co. have created a '1887' piece Limited Edition of its flagship model with four aligned counters in celebration of the company's founding date. The new all-Titanium version not only confirms the compact and dynamic nature of its line, but also highlights a noticeable evolution.
The case is now distinguished by its daring and original shape, while the multi-layered dial features an applied central ring and a tachometric scale on the inner bezel ring. Details ensuring a strong and decisive impact include the large 46 mm case, the rotating bezel studded with PVD-treated screws and the motto 'never forget who you are' engraved on the satin-brushed caseback.
MOVEMENT Automatic with 4 horizontally aligned counters (minutes, hours, 24 hours and small seconds), Calibre EB. 251, 12� lignes, 53 jewels.
FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour display, chronograph and tachometer
CASE Titanium, 46 mm / Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment / Unidirectional rotating bezel / Screw-in satin-brushed and engraved caseback / Water-resistant to 200 m / 20 atm
DIAL 'Black' or anthracite, featuring an applied central ring adorned with 'C�tes de Gen�ve' motif / Inner bezel ring with tachometric scale (km/h) / Date window at 12 o'clock
BRACELET / Strap Vertical-grooved rubber strap or titanium bracelet with / personalized titanium buckle
Read More
The case is now distinguished by its daring and original shape, while the multi-layered dial features an applied central ring and a tachometric scale on the inner bezel ring. Details ensuring a strong and decisive impact include the large 46 mm case, the rotating bezel studded with PVD-treated screws and the motto 'never forget who you are' engraved on the satin-brushed caseback.
MOVEMENT Automatic with 4 horizontally aligned counters (minutes, hours, 24 hours and small seconds), Calibre EB. 251, 12� lignes, 53 jewels.
FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour display, chronograph and tachometer
CASE Titanium, 46 mm / Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment / Unidirectional rotating bezel / Screw-in satin-brushed and engraved caseback / Water-resistant to 200 m / 20 atm
DIAL 'Black' or anthracite, featuring an applied central ring adorned with 'C�tes de Gen�ve' motif / Inner bezel ring with tachometric scale (km/h) / Date window at 12 o'clock
BRACELET / Strap Vertical-grooved rubber strap or titanium bracelet with / personalized titanium buckle
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
TISSOT Seastar 1000
From TISSOT With its imposing design and its extremely sturdy case water-resistant to 300m, the Seastar 1000 by Tissot continues the brand�s incursion into the diving world. This chronograph combines the performances of an automatic movement with the noble aesthetic appeal of a timepiece that defies the oceans and featuring a number of nods to the maritime world.
A unidirectional rotating bezel, a wristband with diving buckle as well hands and markers coated with Superluminova to ensure perfect readability. Each model also has a helium valve for saturation diving � an additional step that Tissot is taking in the underwater depths, a field in which it is gaining ever increasing expertise.
Movement Automatic, Calibre CO1.211
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph
Case Black or blue PVD treated stainless steel, 48 mm
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Screw-locked crown, pushers and screw-in caseback
Helium valve
Water-resistant to 300 m / 30 bars
Dial Black, blue, black and white or black and orange
SuperLuminova coated markers and hour and minute hands
Blue chronograph hands
Hour, minute and seconds counters at 6, 12 and 9 o'clock respectively
Date window at 3 o'clock
Bracelet/Strap 316L stainless steel bracelet with safety fastening and diving extension; rubber strap with folding clasp
Read More
A unidirectional rotating bezel, a wristband with diving buckle as well hands and markers coated with Superluminova to ensure perfect readability. Each model also has a helium valve for saturation diving � an additional step that Tissot is taking in the underwater depths, a field in which it is gaining ever increasing expertise.
Movement Automatic, Calibre CO1.211
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph
Case Black or blue PVD treated stainless steel, 48 mm
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Screw-locked crown, pushers and screw-in caseback
Helium valve
Water-resistant to 300 m / 30 bars
Dial Black, blue, black and white or black and orange
SuperLuminova coated markers and hour and minute hands
Blue chronograph hands
Hour, minute and seconds counters at 6, 12 and 9 o'clock respectively
Date window at 3 o'clock
Bracelet/Strap 316L stainless steel bracelet with safety fastening and diving extension; rubber strap with folding clasp
Monday, February 14, 2011
VOSTOK EUROPE N1 Rocket (new)
By TLex Vostok Europe's bestselling N1 Rocket series, which takes its name from the biggest space rocket in human history, was at 42mm not quite big enough! So Vostok Europe took it upon themselves to build a new re-styled version of the N1 Rocket series with an increased 46mm case size.
You're probably wondering as I was what rockets have to do with dive watches; not a lot by all accounts, but the new N1 Rocket does feature an external rotatable divers bezel and is water-resistant to 200 meters. I was able to to have a play with the white dialed version and snap a few pictures. I was pleasantly surprised - it felt like a well made solid watch and had a beautifully made hefty bracelet. Stay tuned for more on the new N1 Rocket . . .
> NH25 automatic movement (made by SII Co., Japan) constructed on 12 jewels with central second hand and single calendar
> Stainless steel 46 mm diameter case. Thickness � 17 mm.
> Water resistant - up to 200 meters (20 atm).
> Enhanced, anti-reflective coated crystal of 4,5 mm thickness.
> Screw-in crown.
> Unidirectional rotating bezel with traditional divers' scale and starting point is marked by a dot SuperLuminova.
> SuperLuminova filling of hands and indexes on the dial.
> Genuine leather strap integrated to the watch case.
> Solid and thick (4.5mm) stainless steel bracelet with double deploying buckle.
Read More
You're probably wondering as I was what rockets have to do with dive watches; not a lot by all accounts, but the new N1 Rocket does feature an external rotatable divers bezel and is water-resistant to 200 meters. I was able to to have a play with the white dialed version and snap a few pictures. I was pleasantly surprised - it felt like a well made solid watch and had a beautifully made hefty bracelet. Stay tuned for more on the new N1 Rocket . . .
> NH25 automatic movement (made by SII Co., Japan) constructed on 12 jewels with central second hand and single calendar
> Stainless steel 46 mm diameter case. Thickness � 17 mm.
> Water resistant - up to 200 meters (20 atm).
> Enhanced, anti-reflective coated crystal of 4,5 mm thickness.
> Screw-in crown.
> Unidirectional rotating bezel with traditional divers' scale and starting point is marked by a dot SuperLuminova.
> SuperLuminova filling of hands and indexes on the dial.
> Genuine leather strap integrated to the watch case.
> Solid and thick (4.5mm) stainless steel bracelet with double deploying buckle.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
H2O Watch (website is live)
By TLex H2O Watch are proud to announce the launch of their new website, available in both English and German (more languages coming soon) along with the launch of their Facebook page. Both pages will be continually updated with news, images and videos of their upcoming 3000 meter Titanium Diver, the Kalmar. Pre-ordering will open in the next couple of weeks with an announcement on OceanicTime plus further details on the ordering process. To visit H2O Watch - click on their icon at the bottom of the post.
Read More
OceanicTime VALENTINES collection
By TLex What would it be like if your better half shared your passion for obsession with dive watches; there'd be no need to hide all those packages from the FEDEX man; you could sit and wait for him together. There'd be no reason to justify your latest acquisitions; you could compare each others! You could even do cutesy-type couple-y things, like logging on to OceanicTime together and going shopping for his and hers dive watches. But what kind of couple would you be? Happy Valentines Day, folks!
DEEPLY in LOVE ROLEX Sea-Dweller DEEP SEA + NEW Submariner
CONNOISSEURS JeanRichard Aquascope + Aquascope Lady Night
ORANGE LOVERS DOXA SUB 400T + SUB 200T Coralline
SOPHISTICATED JLC MC Diving SEALs Alarm + Diving Lady Ceramique
Read More
DEEPLY in LOVE ROLEX Sea-Dweller DEEP SEA + NEW Submariner
CONNOISSEURS JeanRichard Aquascope + Aquascope Lady Night
ORANGE LOVERS DOXA SUB 400T + SUB 200T Coralline
SOPHISTICATED JLC MC Diving SEALs Alarm + Diving Lady Ceramique
Saturday, February 12, 2011
CREPAS 'El Buzo' (Exclusive Relojes Especiales Project)
By TLex El Buzo is a project, which I have been following with some interest over the last few months. Simply translated from Spanish to English, �El Buzo� means �The Diver'.
This is an exclusive CREPAS project for and by the members of the Spanish watch forum, Relojes Especiales. CREPAS, who are overseeing the production, is small start-up Watch Company specializing in vintage inspired dive watches.
They are based in Torremolinos, Spain. Their first project, Le Grand was huge success with most of the first series of 99 being sold even before production had begun. I was lucky enough to snag #8 and will be posting about it in the following weeks.
The vintage inspired El Buzo will be produced in a limited series of just 300 pieces (there is talk though of the possibility of few more with a black finished case). The watch is a triple-timezone diver thanks to its ETA SA 2893-2 engine with integrated GMT indicator, and thanks also to an inner rotatable bezel with a 24hr time scale.
El Buzo also features a convex sapphire crystal and sapphire crystal inlay-ed external 120-click unidirectional divers bezel with elapsed dive-time scale.
Other features include dual screwdown crowns (one of which operates the movement and one the inner bezel), anti-magnetic inner case and super cool caseback engraving of a shark bursting through the CREPAS' ship propeller logo.
Its specially finished 316L stainless steel case, which measures 44mm x 49mm in diameter is water-resistant to 500 meters or, as indicated on its dial in Spanish �300 Brazaz� (300 Fathoms).
The watch is available in either orange or black. I would like to reiterate that this is an exclusively designed diver only for the members of the Spanish watch forum �Relojes Especiales'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
