LOCMAN Montecristo PROFESSIONAL

By TLex Introducing the new LOCMAN Montecristo Professioanl not so Professional. Is this just another wannabe 'diver' that couldn't quite make the minimum 200m required of a dive watch - let alone a professional dive watch?! Or is there more to Locman's latest diver?

Contradictory as this may sound the watch did actual go through an in-depth (no pun intended) research and development process that was conducted by the technicians and engineers of the S.I.O., the Scuola Italiana di Orologeria, who designed the watch for immersion to great depths!

The Montecristo Professional was even tested in real-life conditions by a team of professional divers in the waters of the Tuscan Archipelago, where LOCMAN's headquarters are, and where the beautiful island of Montecristo is that the watch takes its name from. The watch features a broad steel and titanium case, which Locman say guarantees its water-resistant to 120 meters thanks to a series of avant-garde protective devices. 

The watch has a sapphire crystal and is available as either a 3 hands mechanical self-winder or a Quartz Chronograph . . .

Read More

STEINHART Marine Chronograph BLUE

By TLex STEINHART have released a really lovely looking Italian naval watch. The Marine Chronograph BLUE takes its design cues from the Pre Vendome PANERAI 1993 Mare Nostrum. Unfortunately the Marine Chronograph BLUE has only limited water-resistance - not even suitable for swimming or showering say Steinhart! It does look very attractive though . . .

Read More

UTS 4000M GMT

By TLex Hot on the heels of the new UTS 4000M is the new UTS 40000 GMT diver, which shares the same basic case and specifications.



The 45mm Stainless steel case has been in-house by Nicolaus Spinner. It is fitted with a massive 6mm thick sapphire crystal, which has been glued and screwed to the case sealing so well that an HEV is not required.



Further features include UTS' trademark detachable lug-system as well as UTS' proprietary bi-directional rotating divers bezel operable via the crown at 2 o'clock.



The 4000M GMT is equipped with an ETA 2893-2 movement with dual timezone display and independent red GMT hand with a red arrow-head pointer.



The dial is illuminated by with BGW9 Swiss SuperLuminova.

Read More

Christopher Ward C60 Trident PRO for BOND

By TLex Christopher Ward unveils a new design inspired by one of the world's most iconic dive watches, the Rolex Submariner as worn British spy and ex-Royal Navy Commander, James Bond in the 1962 film, Dr. No. Elements have also been taken from the famous 1954 Rolex GMT Master, which was around at about the same time as Ian Flemming started writing his first Bond novels. This comes as the 50th Anniversary of the James Bond films and the releases of the latest film, Skyfall approaches.

The 42mm, 300m, Sellita SW200 powered C60 Trident Pro unfortunately doesn't share any of the attributes that makes the original Bond watch what it is. There's no 'big crown' and it still has a crown guard. They didn't even use the lovely vintage-style lume that the first C60's had. No special caseback engraving either. However CW did though thoughtfully plonk the watch on a Bond NATO! A true tribute or just a case of cashing in on Bond's 50th Anniversary!? The C60 Trident-PRO Automatic SKBRG22 has an MSRP of �350.

To see a truly inspired Sub click HERE . . .

Read More

Thomas Prescher DIVER?

By TLex Thomas Prescher has released a fun little teaser highlighting a number of items that he drew inspiration from for his latest project - due to be unveiled at Baselworld in March. Of those items, which includes Jules Verne's 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' and Tutankhamen's tomb. Captain Nemo's sub, the Nautilus makes the strongest case for a diver. So could Thomas Prescher's latest timepiece really be a dive watch?

The evidence would certainly seem to be pointing in that direction, and given Thomas' recent collaboration with Aegir Watches for their special Edition of the CD-2 I am hopeful. There is even talk of 'diving technologies' in his text (below). When asked by an FB fan if it would be a diver, Thomas remained fairly tight lipped on the subject saying only this: ''A diving watch would somehow fit in the story. But there might be some other possibilities, too. I am sure we will discover if you are right, very soon.''

From TP Archeological sensation! Large metal capsule filled with historic artifacts discovered!It seems that leading underwater archaeologists have discovered a large metal capsule filled with a great amount of historical artifacts. The interesting thing is that the artifacts come from different time periods and most of them have no relationship to the place where they were found. All artifacts and the capsule itself are somehow connected to naval and diving technologies . . .

Follow the icon below to find out more . . .

Read More

HEXA K500 SpyShots

By TLex Here's a sneak peek of the HEXA K500's new dial and ratcheting clasp . . .

Read More

PROMETHEUS Manta Ray BLUE

By TLex PROMETHEUS have collaborated with the Spanish watch forum RLJ to produce a special BLUE series of the Manta Ray. Further details can be had HERE . . .

Read More

Bernhardt Watches & The Sea Shark

By TLex Here's an interesting news report on BERNHARDT Watches and their Sea Shark. Hat tip to Devin of the T3 Forum . . .

Read More

Henri Germain Delauze 1929-2012

By TLex Henri G. Delauze CEO and Founder of COMEX passed away this week aged 83. If one name was ever synonymous with Rolex and commercial diving it was COMEX. The French company has led the way in industrial deep diving since 1961, when it was first started by Henri Delauze. COMEX divers, who can work at depths of more than 300 meters . . .

using helium-based breathing mixtures have historically been equipped with the either Rolex Submariner or Sea Dweller watches bearing the coveted black on white COMEX text on their dials, not just a badge of honor worn by those such as Henri, but a highly prized symbol that has caused tens of thousands of dollars to exchange hands between Rolex collectors. Henri G. Delauze lead an extraordinary life, which is well worth reading up on if you ever get the opportunity.

Read More

TUDOR Heritage 'Black Bay' EDITION Ref. 79220R (leaked)

By TLex I came across it again on Philipp Stahl's blog, Rolex Passion Report, the man behind the Single Red Deep Sea and the Hillary Tenzing Edition Explorers. His thoughts on the watch were that it was an historically incorrect interpretation with conflicting elements such as the mid 50s style big crown and the 70s snowflake hour hand. Coming soon from Tudor . . .

I'm no expert, but wonder why Tudor wouldn't get it right? Regardless the 'new' Tudor would seem to be in keeping with Tudor's recent release of Heritage models, all of which have been well received. Specifications of the Ref. 79220R are as yet unknown, but I can tell you that the case measures 41mm and has a water-resistance of 200m. So what are your thoughts? I would love to hear from any Tudor experts out there . . .

Read More

ANONIMO 'Dino Zei' San Marco BRONZE

By TLex Here's a sneak preview of the new Dino Zei San Marco Bronze from ANONIMO that will be officially unveiled at Basel 2012 . . .

Read More

Sch�uble & S�hne WASSERSPORT

By TLex It's been a while since I posted anything from Sch�uble & S�hne. The Wassersport Chronograph is their latest sports edition due for release this year. The watch houses a modified Swiss made ETA Valjoux 7750, automatic movement and is water-resistant to 100m. MSRP is 1'860 Euro.

Read More

U-BOAT U-42 GMT

By TLex The new U-42 GMT from U-BOAT features a 3 triple time-zone function. Its case, which is constructed from Titanium measures 53mm in diameter, a typical size for U-42 models. This is the first time U-BOAT have put a GMT caliber in a U-42 model. The line is based on a prototype watch that dates back to 1942, when Italo Fontana's grandfather was said to have designed a prototype watch for the Italian Navy . . .

WATER-resistance and press-resistance 300 meters.

MOVEMENT Automatic mechanical modified and personalized to U-BOAT specifications for date display and stem position at 9 o�clock. Power reserve 48 hours.

FUNCTIONS Display by means of hands, Hours, minutes, seconds. 24 hour hand with time�zones mechanism. Date display in window.

STRAP Brown leather handcrafted, width 23/23, and fitted with a titanium tongue buckle. Strap with plate in titanium with tag for personalization. Limited edition 300 units.

Read More

ENZO Mechana Ref. 500 'Gauge' XL

By TLex This isn't quite what it seems. Yes, its an off the wall ENZO Mechana Ref.500 'Gauge', but the rarer XL version. Although it has a larger overall diameter it is actually far better proportioned than its predecessor. The case size has been increased by 5mm - from 45mm to 50mm whilst the thickness has been reduced by 5mm - from 38mm to 33mm.

The overall length of the watch is 57.5mm. The overall weight of the watch is 338.5 grams. You might have noticed that unlike the 45mm version this one doesn't have an HEV either. The highly polished case has been tested to 3000 meters - it houses a vintage Omega caliber.

This one belongs to a fellow enthusiast and creator of the upcoming TIMEMACHINIST series, Cal, who kindly took these images. Cheers, mate! I know of just one other Ref. 500 XL, which Enzo is currently working on for me. It will have a bead-blasted finish.

� TIMEMACHINIST

Read More

U-BOAT U-42 ''B and B''

By TLex Introducing the new U-BOAT U-42 ''B and B''. No, that's not bed and breakfast! The new U-42 ''B and B'' automatic is named so for its lovely combination of solid Bronze and Black IP treated Titanium.

This is U-BOAT's first bronze offering, although the watch's mid-case, bezel and caseback are in fact made of Titanium as are all U-42 models. Bronze has been used for the bezel studs (12 o'clock pip in ceramic), the crown winding mechanism, the LE# plate and the tongue of the buckle, which already has some patina . . .

WATER-resistance 300 meters.

MOVEMENT Automatic mechanical modified and personalized at U-BOAT specifications with stem position at 9 o�clock. Frequency 28.800 vibrations per hour, 4 Hz. Power reserve 40 hours.

25 jewels. Height 4,60 mm

FUNCTIONS hours, minutes, seconds.

CASE Back case fixed on case with 6 encapsulated hexagon screws. Bidirectional rotating bezel lockable with a lever on the right side of the case.12 o�clock ball indicator/pointer on the bezel made of ceramic. Crown, pin of the hook, screws on the bezel, bezel release lever, limited serial numbering case plate in bronze.

* Case, back case, bezel in titanium, with subsequent treatment of IP Black coating.

* Sapphire glass.

* Double superimposed dial, one in brass bronze colored and one in black.

* Bronze colored hands.

* Diameter 53 mm.

STRAP hand made and hand finished calf dark brown leather, tongue titanium buckle, tongue of the buckle in bronze. Width 23/23 mm, fasten to the case with screws. All engravings on this piece are carried out by mechanical pantograph.

Limited Edition 300 units

Read More

U-BOAT U-42 Chrono Gold

By TLex Introducing the U-BOAT U-42 Chrono Gold with its stunning combination of Black IP treated Titanium and 18k Rose Gold. Solid 18K has been used for the Chrono button, the bezel studs, the bezel release lever and winding mechanism with a total gold weight of around 15.40 grams.

The 12 o'clock bezel pip is black ceramic. The dial is double superimposed black and rose gold. I'm not exactly sure of the watches dimensions as the U-42 Chrono is available in either 47mm or 53mm. Water-resistance is 300m. The U-42 Chrono Gold is an LE of just 99 pieces . . .

CASE Back case fixed on case with 6 encapsulated hexagon screws. Watertight on axis reset and assured charge by PTFE gasket. Bi-directional rotating bezel lockable with a lever on the right side of the case. Fixing of revolving bezel by 3 screws encapsulated in the back case; the bezel removal, for maintenance and washing obtained by removing the three screws, does not affect the watch watertight. Crown, start and stop chrono button, screws on the bezel, bezel release lever in rose gold, 18K (total gold weight: around 15,40 gr).

BACK Back case, case, bezel in titanium, with subsequent treatment of IP Black coating.

CRYSTAL Sapphire glass.

WATER-Resistance 300 meters.

DIAL Double superimposed dial, one in rose gold and one in black.

MOVEMENT Automatic mechanical chronograph modified and personalized at U-BOAT specifications for date display and stem position at 9 o'clock. Frequency 28.800 vibrations per hour; 4 Hz. Power reserve 44 hours. 25 Jewels. Height 7mm.

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, chronograph, counter small seconds at 3, counter 12 at 12, counter minutes at 6. Date window at 9 o'clock.

STRAP Hand made and hand finished alligator black leather, square scale, tongue titanium buckle, tongue of the buckle in 18 K rose gold. Width 23/23 mm, fasten to the case with screws.

Read More

CLERC Hydroscaph LE Central CHRONO

By TLex Dubbed the 'Clockworks Orange' CLERC have released a new �ber cool version of their Hydroscaph LE Central Chronograph. With its two central hands for measuring chronograph seconds and minutes the watch offers excellent legibility. The counters at 3 and 9 o'clock indicate small seconds and day/night over 24 hours. The watch is presented on a custom orange rubber divers strap and is a Limited Edition of just 250 pieces . . .

Read More