300 m | WWR

Ulysse Nardin Diver 42 Automatic Three-Hander

Dec 19, 2018 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 2021 views

Designed for a person who thought that Ulysse Nardin's earlier Diver Chronometer 44 was too pricey, too big, and too cluttered for a diver (or, perhaps, for a person who is happy with the watch and wanted to augment their collection with a simpler version of the watch,) the new Ulysse Nardin Diver 42 automatic three-hander offers a beautiful, clean exterior, superior build quality, and a mechanism that, alas, is a bit too simple for the price that the Swiss watchmaker asks for this thing.

Swiss

Historic Re-Issue: DOXA Sub 300 “Black Lung” Limited Edition

Nov 02, 2017 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 4977 views

This year, Doxa has released a number of "anniversary" timekeepers that celebrate the brand's first semicentennial in the business of making professional diving watches. While the gorgeous blackfaced Sharkhunter and the silver-faced Searambler attracted their fair share of attention from collectors and, um, more normal enthusiasts alike, it was the DOXA Sub 300 "Black Lung" Limited Edition automatic diving wristwatch that broke the brand's own sales record with the whole bunch of watches being pre-ordered during the first 24 hours after the registration officially commenced.

Swiss

Eberhard & Co. Scafograf 300 Automatic (Ref. 41034)

Aug 12, 2016 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 5231 views

Presented at Baselworld 2016, the new automatic Eberhard & Co. Scafograf 300 (ref. 41034) looks like a faithful recreation of a classic model that was sold by the brand back in 1950s. Offering you a nice combination of a robust Swiss movement, adequate water resistance rating of 300 meters, and an elegant exterior, the watch seems to be mildly overpriced, but will probably be quite successful in the long run when all sorts of discounts and rebates kick in.

Swiss

Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage Automatic (refs. AL-525S4H6 & AL-525G4H6)

Apr 29, 2016 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 7853 views

The new Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage (refs. AL-525S4H6 & AL-525G4H6) collection of dressy divers is a clear reference to the brand's so-called "days of independence" when, back in the late 1950s and throughout all the 1960s, the company introduced one beautiful model after another. Although I can't really call it a real "homage" (and I actually like that it is not,) this new pair of timepieces does a very good job at recreating the spirit of the days long gone. Perhaps, the only thing that somehow devalues these gorgeous retro-styled models -besides the fact that, differing so much from other members of the Seastrong family, it needed to become a foundation of a completely new collection- is the simple mass-produced mechanism: each of these beauties just screams for a hand-wound NOS job!

Swiss

TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Ceramic Automatic Diver

Sep 15, 2015 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 9583 views

The iconic TAG Heuer Aquaracer family finally gets a handful of new members that have their stainless steel bezels replaced with ceramic ones. Available in black and blue, with plain or blacked-out steel bodies, and featuring a nice choice of available straps, they are still relatively affordable if you take into account a nice combination of attractive styling, reliability and a bullet-proof automatic movement to finish the picture.

Quartz / Swiss

Alpina Seastrong Diver 300 Chronograph Big Date Quartz

Jun 14, 2015 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 9625 views

The 2015 Alpina Seastrong Diver 300 Chronograph Big Date expands the Swiss brand's line of affordable diving companions with yet another product. Featuring a reliable and accurate quartz mechanism packed into a visually attractive, nicely sculpted stainless steel body, the timepiece looks like a perfect "first real Swiss watch" choice for a young customer who still can't afford buying "a real thing" be it a member of the same collection powered by a more expensive mechanical movement or something of an entirely different league like, say, an Omega Seamaster or a Breitling Superocean.

German

Stowa Seatime Black Forest Edition 1

Dec 01, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 6248 views

The German watchmaker has just started taking orders for its new Stowa Seatime Black Forest Edition 1 automatic diving wristwatch. Offered at a relatively moderate price of just €1390 (including VAT), the new timekeeper looks like a wise choice for a person looking for a nice diving companion, but not willing to pay premium price for an Omega Seamaster or a Rolex Submariner. Reserved, but also quite handsome, this is so far one of the most attractive divers that money can buy.

Swiss

Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback Automatic

Oct 23, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 2325 views

The new Blancpain Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback features a stunning ceramic body with elegant blue bezel and dial, sports a water resistance rating of 300 meters, is limited to just 250 numbered pieces, and Blancpain is committed to donate as much as €1000 from each timekeeper sold to various initiative that contribute to make the world ocean a little bit place to live for its billions of dwellers. What other excuse do you really need to buy this beautiful timepiece?

Swiss

Breitling Avenger Blackbird Limited Edition

Jul 17, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 11332 views

Mean and cool, huge but comfortable, the new Breitling Avenger Blackbird limited edition "tactical" three-hander offers you a COSC-certified version of a mass-produced automatic movement packed into a feather-light titanium body with its machine-brushed surface blacked with a special carbonization technique. What more can one desire from such a manly time measuring device?

Swiss

Longines Heritage Diver Chronograph Automatic (Ref. L2.796.4.52.9)

May 31, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 3734 views

The 2014 Longines Heritage Diver Chronograph (Ref. L2.796.4.52.9) takes you in the same direction as their earlier cushion-shaped models: the gorgeous 1970s. If you have always wanted a watch in a "cushion" or, perhaps, "tonneau" body, but always thought that Panerai and TAG Heuer chronographs look a bit too tiring with their deliberately repetitive, run-of-the-mill design, this new model is surely the one to consider.