With summer almost in full swing, let’s have a look at some of the latest diver’s watches of the season. With their robustness and air of discovery and adventure, these instrument-like timepieces leave a striking impression on the wrist – whether on dry land or in the water.
In addition to their distinctive looks, dive watches boast plenty of unique technical characteristics according to the Diver’s International Organization for Standardization (ISO) rating. They tend to offer functions or features that can be crucial underwater, including high legibility, unidirectional bezels, antireflective crystals, and Superluminova-enhanced hands and markers. In the case of professional deeper diving watches, helium escape valves also come into play.
Until now, ETA’s Powermatic 80 automatic caliber has been reserved for the Seastar models in the generous 46mm case and for certain special editions in 40mm. At the beginning of the summer, Tissot is launching five new models water-resistant to 300 meters and introducing the modern mechanical movement as standard in the 40-millimeter collection.
The Seastar Powermatic 80 40mm is available in stainless steel with a turquoise or anthracite dial, in bicolor with a partially yellow-gold PVD-coated case, and in black PVD-coated throughout with a blue or anthracite dial. All dials are vertically brushed, have a color gradient, and display the date through a window at 3 o’clock.
As the name suggests, the Powermatic 80 caliber is at the heart of this timepiece. This self-winding work horse offers an 80-hour power reserve and a titanium-based Nivachron balance spring that is resistant to magnetic fields. The sapphire crystal case back brings the movement’s details and nice finishing quality to the forefront.
The Tissot Seastar Powermatic 80 40mm is available with several kinds of rubber straps and on a bracelet. Pricing starts at $750.
To learn more, visit Tissot, here.
Since its introduction a few years ago, the Oris Aquis line has become a mainstay in the world of diver’s watches. Combining high functionality with good looks and a reliable mechanical movement, it now comprises of 66 models. A new generation was just introduced at this year’s Watches and Wonders, with updates to the case on the lugs and crown guard. There are also subtle changes to the bezel while the dial has new hands, applied hour markers, and typography.
Expanding the updated line, Oris now introduces the Aquis Date 41.5mm Water-Melon editions. The two new models feature all the ergonomic, aesthetic and performance refinements, now with sunray-brushed watermelon-inspired dials in either refreshing green or sunny red. Otherwise, they follow the same format as the core Aquis Date 41.5mm collection: a stainless steel case and three-link bracelet with an elegant, slim profile, a unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic insert, a screw-down crown with protection, luminescent detailing on the dial, and a transparent case back alongside an impressive water resistance of 300 meters. Behind the caseback ticks the self-winding caliber Oris 733, which is based on the Sellita SW200-1.
Pricing for each of the Oris Aquis Date 41.5mm Water-Melon watches is marked at CHF 2,700, or $2,970 when converted to USD.
To learn more, visit Oris, here.
The new generation of the Supermarine divers collection from British brand Bremont also made a splash at this year’s Watches and Wonders. These include the Supermarine 300m, which features a sleeker and slimmer profile case made from 904L steel to maximize both robustness and comfort. This new symmetrical case silhouette incorporates both crown and bezel protectors for convenient operation while increasing durability and safety by preventing accidental adjustments or damage from shock or impact.
The knurled anodized aluminum bezel boasts trapezoidal indexes that flow from the bezel onto the dial, forming a marine-inspired crosshair that draws the eye to the center of the striking gradient dial, available in royal blue or British vintage green color ways. The sword hands are illuminated with Superluminova, as are the applied indexes and the arrow at 12 o’clock.
The latest executions of the Supermarine diver’s squat are mounted on an all-new 904L steel bracelet. It offers exceptional fluidity and quality with an undulating silhouette. The infinity links alternate between polished and satin finishes. The watch is also available with a new military-inspired chevron performance rubber strap or a vintage brown leather lifestyle strap with topstitching.
The case back is engraved with a map of the world’s oceans. Behind it ticks an automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve.
The price for the new Bremont Supermarine 300m is marked at $3,650.
To learn more, visit Bremont, here.
