Although the 2014 Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley Automatic Diver (Ref. PM2096B-S1J-BK) still features that “polarizing” patented crown guard system as previous iterations of the watch, it is still one of the most elegant members of the growing family. As refined as a diving tool can be, it is also not expensive sporting a price tag around $1000 lower than that of an IWC Aquatimer.
Diving
Stowa Seatime Black Forest Edition 1
The German watchmaker has just started taking orders for its new Stowa Seatime Black Forest Edition 1 automatic diver. Offered at a moderate price of just €1390 (including VAT), the new timekeeper is a wise choice for a person looking for a nice diving companion, but not willing to pay the premium for a Seamaster or a Submariner. Reserved, but also handsome, this is so far one of the most attractive divers that money can buy.
IWC Aquatimer Deep Three Titanium (Ref. IW355701)
Unveiled at SIHH 2014, the IWC Aquatimer Deep Three Titanium (Ref. IW355701) is perhaps the first “tool” diver that actually looks great. Its lightweight titanium case is meticulously crafted and features a much elaborated high-tech finish. With its easy-grip rotating bezel and crisp (although a bit busy thanks to its mechanical depth gauge display) dial, the wristwatch would look organic in a sci-fi movie like Oblivion or maybe even Prometheus.
Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk Cobalt Blue (49960-19-431-FK4A & 49960-19-431-11A)
First revealed in its current form in 2011 (its signature shape, however, was introduced in 2002) and slightly refreshed in all the right places back in December 2012, the Sea Hawk family has been expanded with a new variation. Called Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk Cobalt Blue and available either on a blue rubber strap (ref. 49960-19-431-FK4A) or a bit less flashy, but a lot more practical stainless steel bracelet (ref. 49960-19-431-11A), the diver makes an even stronger impression. In fact, it radiates such a strong presence that you would probably need to wear Dr. Freeman’s hazmat suit just to walk into your nearest Girard-Perregaux boutique to see the watch in person.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Supercharged
With its 2014 collection, Maurice Lacroix tries to play against the current “downsizing” trend. While even “sporty” and “bold” chronographs either lose weight or burn their excessive muscle tissue, the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Supercharged brings you the good old 2013 Pontos S diver in an even bigger body. 48 millimeters in diameter, the diving tool is designed for a bodybuilder or a football player, not some sort of a skinny hipster.
Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 Limited Edition
The good old Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 (ref. V241660) has been on the market for some years now. Designed with lovers of “military diving” in mind, it must be popular among customers around the world if the Swiss entry-luxury brand, which is mostly known for its multipurpose knives, has finally decided to offer a relatively expensive limited edition of the piece. Sporting the usual sturdy-looking body crowned with a visually complex unidirectional rotating bezel, the new version of the Dive Master 500 features a more interesting dial and is, for a change, equipped with a mechanical movement made by ETA.
Mido Multifort Two Crowns Automatic Skin Diver (Ref. M005.930.11.060.00)
While Mido is good at producing watches that look anonymous at best, this new stainless steel Mido Multifort Two Crowns (Ref. M005.930.11.060.00) actually looks nice and even recognizable, although even this design always leaves you scratching your head trying to remember if you have already seen this gadget before.
IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (Ref. IW379401)
With its water resistance rating of just 100 meters the 2014 IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (Ref. IW379401) is not the first watch to be recommended for a serious diver. Yet, the new member of the legendary Aquatimer family still looks appealing thanks to its sexy “digital” display of the date and month.
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.
Homage to Rolex 6200? Steinhart Ocean One Vintage Automatic
For a business entity, which is essentially a one-man show, Steinhart is surprisingly prolific. Although most of their watches are so-called “homages” and “tributes”, there is a lot of them. Starting from “divers” to “pilots” and going all the way to sporty chronographs, the brand offers you plenty to choose from. This self-winding Ocean One Vintage, for example, is designed for the kind of people that are longing for a historic Rolex (or, perhaps, even a re-issue of a historic Tudor,) but either can’t afford one or plain don’t want to bother sifting through the thousands of “pre-loved” models with a questionable history.
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.
Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo Limited Edition
Based on their earlier Oktopus II Moon, the hand-engraved Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo Limited Edition strongly reminds me of vintage pocket watches that often had their cases lavishly decorated with floral motifs, birds, dragons, and exotic animals. Limited to just 59 pieces, this particular timekeeper, however, takes the idea to a whole new level.
JeanRichard Kind Surf Aquascope 60400-11l706-FK7A
The automatic JeanRichard Kind Surf Aquascope Edition (60400-11l706-FK7A) was created together with an NGO founded last year by Almudena Fernandez, a Spanish top model, in order to support kids from “socially disadvantaged environments”. It looks like by buying one of these limited-edition timekeepers, you will support a good cause.
Edox Grand Ocean Extreme Sailing Series Special Edition
Edox has recently expanded its Grand Ocean collection with a new Extreme Sailing Series special edition model. Featuring the same basic styling as other chronographs in the family, the 2013 Edox Grand Ocean Extreme Sailing Series Special Edition (ref. 45004 357B BUIN) is available in three versions: black, blue and, don’t look now, pink PVD.