If you plan to spend the holidays at a sea resort, there is good news for you from the American brand Deep Blue Watches. As prolific as they are (well, in a good meaning of the adjective), the guys have recently introduced an affordable Deep Blue Sea Ram 500 diver that combines an impressive water resistance rating with a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel: a rare mix in its price range.
Currently offered on their website at a “sale price” of just $300, the new watch comes in a massive stainless steel body that houses a Swiss-made Ronda 715 quartz caliber (it also powers cheaper versions of the 2012 Victorinox Dive Master 500).
Although not as sexy as a mechanical movement, the mechanism still looks more practical for a tool watch that needs good protection from shocks and magnetic fields and also won’t stop suddenly if you forget to wear it for a couple of days. Again, a cheaper caliber is an adequate tradeoff for a virtually ageless ceramic bezel that also looks cool with its pink diving scale.
Rated for 500 meters, the watch is equipped with a screw-down setting crown and a nicely decorated case back cover that features a stylized figure of a diver surrounded by something that resembles that famous “tremblage” technique, which is usually reserved for a lot more expensive timepieces. Of course, this one is just an imitation of the real thing, but it still looks cool.
The crown, by the way, is not only large but is also long, so, if you prefer to wear a timepiece on a loose bracelet closer to your palm, you should probably take this into account: the watch may bite at a moment when you least expect it.
As it is customary for the American watchmaker, the new timekeeper has virtually no legibility problems (well, perhaps the date aperture is too small for my taste) and its dial is easily readable at any time of the day thanks to its 12 luminous hour markers and hands that, too, are treated with green Superluminova.
As was already mentioned, the watch is massive. Measuring impressive 45 millimeters in diameter, the watch is definitely larger than, for example, the legendary Seiko SKX781 Orange Monster and is just a bit smaller than the gargantuan CX Swiss Military Argonaut 1000 TQ that is rated for whole 1000 meters of water resistance. The specified 15 millimeters in thickness, too, don’t make this device especially comfortable when it comes to daily wearing.
Yes, you can still use the gadget as your daily beater, but just bear in mind that you will have to combine it with clothing that has more or less flexible cuffs.
Judging by the “0022/5000” plaque on the cover, Deep Blue plans to limit the Sea Ram 500‘s total production to 5000 pieces. It is still too many for the watch to be considered a true “limited edition” model, but it is surely good to know that the watch that you currently wear is not produced by the millions.
See also: Chr. Ward C61 Trident-Pro Diver
Photos: Deep Blue Watches
WWR verdict
Originality 4/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for money: 5/5
Deep Blue Sea Ram 500 Ceramic specification
Price: $299 (Retail)
Movement: Quartz, caliber Ronda 715, Swiss Made
Power reserve: 60 months
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case and Crown: Stainless steel
Bezel: White ceramic
Shape: Round
Size: 45.00 mm
Case height: 15.00 mm
Lug width: 24.00 mm
Dial: White
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 500 meters
Strap: Black soft silicon strap
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: Solid, screw down, stamped