Introduced to celebrate the brand’s tenth anniversary, the 2016 Deep Blue Master 2000 10 Year Anniversary collection is currently offered in a choice of three color schemes including two versions in black and blue that feature a combination of white and orange accents. The version in black and orange (ref. M2KILBLKORGBLKORG,) which is reviewed in this article, is the most interesting -or at least the most striking- among them. Delivering an impressive level of legibility in all lighting scenarios that I can imagine and combining good build quality of the case and bracelet with the dependability of a time-proven Swiss-made movement, it may be a bit expensive compared to their earlier models of similar design, but still offers good value for money if you can afford one.
American
Nixon 51-30 Darth Vader Automatic Limited Edition
The upcoming premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is just a couple of months away and Nixon has already unveiled a sort of “official” Star Wars-themed collection. Besides the inevitable “Stormtroopers”, and “Imperial Pilots”, there is also a full-black limited-edition Nixon 51-30 Darth Vader that pays homage to the most iconic character of the series. And, yes: all three models are dedicated to agents of the dark side of the Force. Ah, that irresistible attractiveness of Evil!
Deep Blue Daynight T-100 GMT Chronograph
Just wanted to give you a brief heads up regarding a new offering from a small American watchmaker Deep Blue Watches. They have just updated their Daynight range with a Deep Blue Daynight T100 GMT Chronograph. Still capable of withstanding the water pressure of up to 50ATM, it can now be used by especially busy combat divers and other special forces operators featuring not one or two, but whole three time zones. Well, sort of.
Deep Blue Sea Ram 500 Ceramic Diver
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.
Shinola Wright Brothers Limited Edition (Ref. S0100052)
Can you imagine a shoe polish company turning into a watchmaker that sells its “Built in Detroit” quartz-powered watches for $500-$1000? Well, Shinola, previously a maker of “America’s Largest-Selling Shoe Polish”, is just that company. After their brand was acquired by an investment group, the famous trademark suddenly appeared not only on watches but also on bikes, all sort of premium-priced leather goods, and even soft drinks. With this limited edition Shinola Wright Brothers (ref. S0100052), the Detroit-based brand starts a whole series of timekeepers paying homage to famous Americans who gave humanity the wings to fly.
Deep Blue Master Diver 1000 Automatic
Available at MSRP of $499 -and currently offered on their official website at just $400- this new Deep Blue Master Diver 1000 automatic diving tool doesn’t look particularly flashy. On the contrary, the new Master Diver is deliberately dull, almost as dull as a wrench or a hammer can be. With every brushed surface, with every massive part, it declares: “Look at me! I am a professional instrument! I am a beater that you can take every place you go to!” Well, it looks like it tells the truth.
Deep Blue Daynight Recon T100 White 500M
Here comes another good one from the young American watchmakers. The semi-professional Deep Blue Daynight Recon T100 White Automatic diver gives you an easily recognizable (although not terribly unique) design with elegant dial sporting the brand’s signature luminous tritium tubes and an impressive water resistance rating of 500 meters.
Deep Blue DayNight T100 OPS Diver in Black PVD
The American brand Deep Blue has introduced a (more than) affordable diver to its vast collection of tool watches. Currently offered at only $399 (the normal price is $499, shipping is not included in both cases), the new Deep Blue DayNight T100 OPS Diver features a rugged exterior design that somehow reminds me of Luminox timekeeper combined with a water resistance rating of 500 meters and an easily readable dial with twenty flat tritium tubes of different colors. Unlike the usual Superluminova or other chemical compounds, the mildly radioactive gas that fills the micro-tubes keeps glowing for at least twenty years without any need of being recharged, which makes it a perfect choice for those keeping their collection in boxes stashed in a chest of drawers while sleeping in their preassigned Vault-Tec shelters.
Xetum Tyndall PVD Automatic Three-Hander
In a matter of days, the small California-based brand will start selling yet another version of its Tyndal model. The 2012 Xetum Tyndall PVD uses the same lug-less body design that now sports stealthy black PVD coating. Combined with the traditional 12h/24h scale and the instrument gauge-like design of hands and numerals, the watch that was originally designed as a hipster’s toy now looks like a real tactical timekeeper designed with SWAT officers in mind.
Deep Blue CalDiver USA 500 Full Calendar Automatic Diver
The young American brand updates its CalDiver 500 small family of large diving tools with a new edition. The Deep Blue CalDiver USA 500 differs from its siblings not only with a restyled dial but also with a silkscreen USA flag, which is combined with the brand’s logo and is clearly visible through the transparent case back.
Deep Blue Daynight Recon 500M Automatic Diver
The automatic Deep Blue Daynight Recon 500M is one of the most attractive “diving tools” on the market if you don’t count in the last year’s CALDIVER 500 “complication” model. Rated for 500 meters of water resistance, it features a case, which is not only robust, but also dressy in its own rugged way, and a unidirectional 120-click rotating bezel with the usual submersion timer. That, as well as a nice combination of their signature tritium tubes on hands and hour markers, and Superluminova-painted indices and minute marks on the ceramic bezel inlay, makes the Daynight Recon not only easily readable but also a real pleasure to look at!
Deep Blue Sea Chrono 1K (1000M) Diver
Sporting a pair of screw-down chronograph push-pieces, solid bubble case back, and a helium release valve, this inexpensive Deep Blue Sea Chrono 1K quartz-powered diver is rated for whole 1000 meters of water resistance!
MKII Paradive Type 1B Diver with Sapphire Bezel
MKII, a fairly young privately owned U.S.-based brand, has recently announced that its popular Paradive diving watch will soon be available with a trendy sapphire bezel with a luminous diving scale that is supposed to greatly enhance the timekeeper’s nighttime legibility. It will complement a slightly less expensive model with an anodized aluminum bezel and will be sold as MKII Paradive Type 1B.
Deep Blue CALDIVER 500 Automatic Annual Calendar, GMT and Power Reserve!
The 2012 Deep Blue CALDIVER 500 comes loaded with functions, including an annual calendar, a second time-zone display, and a power reserve indicator. I am not sure whether a professional diving watch indeed needs so many displays. However, those looking for a monster-sized diver that could also be worn as a casual watch may find the list of functions quite useful.
Lum-Tec M Bronze M54 Automatic
The U.S.-based private watchmaking brand LÜM-TEC is going to seriously expand its collection for the new year. While everyone is raving about their extra-large Lum-Tec 300M-2XL automatic diver, I have just fell in love with their upcoming Lum-Tec M Bronze M54 model that is not very small either.