American watches
Already having a pretty vast collection of divers on offer, the American watchmaking brand has recently expanded its product range with a new Deep Blue Depthmeter Professional chronograph that, as the name implies, also happens to be equipped with a functional depth gauge.
Unlike many small brands in this price range that never seem to settle on a design language of their own, Deep Blue watches are very easily recognizable thanks to those subtle family traces that are inherited from earlier models. This particular Depthmeter Professional, for example, seems to be a direct descendant of the massive Deep Blue Depthmaster 3000 diver that was first released back in 2011.
Although this member of the family doesn’t feature DB’s signature tritium micro-tubes that greatly enhance legibility in all conditions, it is still quite readable thanks to generous amounts of lume put on its sword-shaped hands, hour markers, as well as on the unidirectional rotating bezel, which is covered with transparent sapphire inlay.
Of course, the main problem with traditional chemical lume is that it needs to be ‘charged’ either at direct sunlight, some lamp or in a place with bright ambient lighting. Also, it will lose its charge fairly easily, which makes it not as attractive compared to a tritium-illuminated variety.
On the other hand, a watch with its main elements covered in Superluminova (or a similar luminous compound) often looks more visually appealing than a timepiece fitted with dozens of tiny tubes.
Compared to intricate design of this year’s Oris Aquis Depth Gauge, the depth measuring device on this specimen is quite simple, if not primitive. There is a membrane on the back of the case that drives a central hand that moves around the dial pointing at the scale printed on the bezel flange. Nothing fancy, which probably means that the system is easier to repair and more reliable to begin with.
Although the name of the mechanism that powers this watch is never mentioned on Deep Blue’s official web-site, there is an image of the timekeeper’s satin-brushed back that states “Caliber 3U62“, which possibly means that the Depthmeter Professional is in fact animated by a Japanese Miyota 3U62 quartz caliber with an integrated depth that, for example, powered a very old Sector chronograph with the same functionality.
Frankly, I can’t tell you anything about this movement barring the fact that it is fairly expensive even when sold at wholesale prices and is extremely hard to find. It looks like the proprietor of Deep Blue brand has got a really good deal for this tiny engine.
At 45 millimeters in diameter, the watch is large as it is (you can see it even while looking at the dial that somehow reminds me of that ‘cat with the small face’ internet meme), and the way its massive bezel is matched by a considerable body with very solid-looking bracelet makes it look almost immense.
Still, the feeling is a bit deceptive. If you have a normal (or just a tad above average) wrist girth, the Depthmeter Pro will probably look like simply an average oversized diving watch: not large enough to be ridiculous, but, at the same time, not just like an ordinary Rolex Submariner “homage” that you usually get in this price range.
See also: IWC Aquatimer Deep Two diving instrument
Photos: Deep Blue
WWR preliminary verdict:
Originality 4.5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Legibility: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
Deep Blue Depthmeter Professional diving watch specification
Price: $799 ($599 sale price)
Movement: Quartz, Caliber Miyota 3U62, Made in Japan
Number of jewels: 4
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, depth meter (good for 50 meters)
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel material: Matches case, luminous sapphire insert
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 45.00 mm
Case height: No data
Lug width: 24.00 mm
Dial: Blue
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Sword-shaped, luminous
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Stainless steel professional diving bracelet, 5 mm thick, with wet-suit extension
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Case back: Stainless steel, engraved, with depth gauge membrane visible