Tag 100 m

A 100m (or 10 ATM) water resistance rating means a watch can handle swimming and snorkeling. Deep diving is not recommended though because the piece won’t handle the pressure.

Panerai Radiomir PAM 336 in a 42mm body

Panerai Radiomir PAM 336 in 42mm body

Previously available in much larger cases, the 2009 Panerai Radiomir PAM 336 has become both smaller and thinner. At just 42 millimeters in diameter (well, actually in width since the gadget sports the brand's traditional cushion-shaped body) and just 12.5 millimeters high, the new timekeeper doesn't look like an expensive metal hamburger stuck to your wrist. Instead, you get a jewelry item that, while still being massive, is at the same time elegant and even refined, in a restrained, masculine way. Thank the in-house P.999 caliber for that!

The Hellraiser: Gerald Genta Octo Tourbillon Sunray

Gerald Genta Octo Tourbillon Sunray (ref. OTR.Y.20.925.CN.BD)

The 2009 Gerald Genta Octo Tourbillon Sunray (ref. OTR.Y.20.925.CN.BD) brings you an unusually styled yellow gold case combined with a complicated automatic caliber featuring a finely executed tourbillon escapement. Of course, the most interesting part of this watch is neither its brutal body nor the mechanism (although the tourbillon does look like a real piece of art), it is the dial with its two squares (one for hours and the other for minutes) and an octagon that gets the lion's share of attention here. Looking like an ancient puzzle box, the part makes a strong, almost (vaguely) frightening impression when the first time you see it.

Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 4 “Aviator”

Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 4 Hand-Wound "Aviator"

First unveiled at the Baselworld 2009 and going on sale at the beginning of October of the same year, the Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 4 (ref. 241381) featured a "love it or hate it, we don't care" layout of its huge dial, but had at least one advantage over competitors that you just could't deny: it was powered by an almost legendary Unitas 6497 hand-wound movement known for its impressive power reserve, the decent ability for keeping good time, as well as that old-school charisma that more modern mechanisms simply don't have.

Corum Admiral’s Cup Challenge 44 Black Chronograph

Just like Hublot keeps exploiting its still financially successful Big Bang design, Corum keeps digging a vein of gold of its own. Offering the same easily recognizable design as the rest of the family, the new Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Black (ref. 753.691.93/F371 AN32) automatic chronograph follows the current trend of making watches that aren't just bigger and bolder, but also can deliver your personal statement with a bit of arrogance.

Panerai Luminor 1950 8 Days Rattrapante PAM 319

Panerai Luminor 1950 8 Days Rattrapante split seconds chronograph (Ref. PAM 319)

First presented at SIHH 2009, the hand-wound Luminor 1950 8 Days Rattrapante split-seconds chronograph (Ref. PAM 319) is, perhaps, the best "affordable" offer in their whole model range refreshed earlier this year. Damn it! I am starting to fall in love with Panerai. Although the brand's timepieces always seemed too visually unsophisticated and almost boring to me, now I see a certain rugged beauty in them.