Despite its somewhat toy-like appearance, the new Nautica NMX 650 (ref. N18633G) diver may be a nice choice for those looking for an inexpensive beater that can be used as a diving companion.
Although the watch is yet to be officially announced on Nautica’s official site and I wasn’t able to find an elaborated fact-sheet on the new NMX 650, it is pretty clear that the NMX 650 nicely fits in their current model range: both stylistically and ahem philosophically.
The timekeeper is going to be delivered in a huge stainless steel case.
Around 50 millimeters in diameter (the crown is probably not included,) the body is equipped with a rotating bezel that has its standard diving scale color-keyed to the silicone strap.
Judging by the photos, so far the American brand (from 1969 Nautica Watches is officially a part of the Timex conglomerate) is going to offer at least three versions differing only with colors of their straps and bezels: orange, yellow and electric blue.
By the way, speaking of straps, it looks like Nautica’s designers tried hard to allow the watch to use straps of standard size (probably, 22 or 24 millimeters.) However, due to this approach, the rubber band looks to narrow in its, um, widest part somewhat detracting from the timekeeper’s solid look.
Like the current BFD series, the new NMX 650 sports a pair of wide, open-worked hands that remind me of some Zodiac divers.
Thanks to luminous triangle-shaped spots on the tips of the hands and the Rolex-style hour markers on the matte-black face, the timepiece offers an easily readable layout, which has a good potential of being legible even deep underwater, where there is almost no natural light.
As most other models from the American company, the Nautica NMX 650 is equipped with a Japanese quartz movement, which, while not offering any fancy complication or elaborated decor, is still accurate and reliable.
Still no info on price, but I doubt that it will be more expensive than $200-$250*.
* UPDATE ON PRICE: Surprisingly, the wristwatch is actually even less expensive than I expected. It has just been confirmed that the recommended minimum street price for this gadget is just $180 USD. Upon further consideration, there are more interesting propositions from proper Japanese brands that, sporting the same base price, would give you even more mojo and would even be powered by a simple, yet robust and reliable automatic movement.
See also: Zodiac ZMX 03 chronograph: what is the point exactly?
Photos: Nautica
Nautica NMX 650 200M (ref. N18633G) specification
Price: $180 (MSRP)
Movement: Japanese Quartz
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Power reserve: A couple of years
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 50.00 mm
Case height: 15.00 mm
Lug width: 23.00 mm
Dial: Matte black
Hour markers: Luminous, Rolex-style
Hands: Skeletonized, luminous
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Blue, yellow or orange silicone rubber strap on a steel tang buckle
Crystal: Mineral, hardened scratch-resistant crystal
Back: Solid