© Warner Bros.
By TLex Two Titans of the Deep and both cracking watches, but which one? For those of you who may be wrestling with the decisions of buying either watch, I hope that my impartial and unbiased comparison below will be able to assist you in your decision making.
I had always intended on buying a DEEP BLUE Master 2000 as have had some great dealings with DEEP BLUE in the past. When I heard what they had spent the last two years developing (the Master 2000) I immediately reserved one.
When the HELSON Shark Diver was introduced to me, I couldn't help falling for its good looks. It was another diver to good to pass up. Both HELSON and DEEP BLUE should be congratulated for bringing so much watch for so little!
DEEP BLUE Master 2000
HELSON Shark Diver
CASE The Master 2000's case lends heavily from Rolex; it shares many similar attributes with the new Rolex DEEPSEA. Although it is much larger in its overall stature it is still in essence what it is, a Sub on steroids. Its dimensions are; 46mm X 18mm with 22mm Lugs, it weighs 280 Grams or 10 ounces.
The Shark Diver although similar in size, is far more angular and has many more straight edges and flat surfaces. The case design although not totally unique is more original. Its weight and dimensions are; 45mm X 18mm with 24mm Lugs, 280 Grams, 10 ounces.
Both cases have been beautifully finished with a brushed finish. They are both anti-magnetic proof to 70.000 a/m and each have incorporated automatic HEVs, making them suitable for SAT diving.
CROWN Both the Master 2000 and Shark Diver have screw down crowns. As far as looks, finish and action, you couldn’t tell them apart. The Master 2000 is signed with 'DB' for DEEP BLUE and the Shark Diver with an 'H' for HELSON.
BEZEL The Master 2000’s unidirectional rotatable divers’ bezel is the 120 click type. Its elapsed dive scale has been magnificently lumed with bright blue lume; it’s simply GORGEOUS, quite the light show! The bezel has no play at all and has a nice smooth and very precise action.
The Shark Diver’s also features a beautifully lumed orange bezel. It is a unidirectional rotatable divers’ bezel with an elapsed dive scale. The bezel has no play and has a nice smooth and very solid action. The design of the bezel is very chunky and rugged; but unfortunately only has 90 clicks. Not an issue for me and not even an issue for practical use as a divers watch, but nonetheless it should usually be either 60 or 120 clicks only.
CRYSTAL The Master 2000 has a massive sapphire crystal it's AR coated on the inside. The AR coating is absolutely first class and the dial can be viewed almost reflection free.
The Shark Diver also uses a massive AR coated sapphire crystal. It’s pretty much on par with the Master 2000.
WATER-RESISTANCE Both watches have extreme depth ratings of 2000 meters.
DIAL The Master 2000 has a lovely clean mat black dial with either rhodium plated or blue anodized hands, they look lovely when they reflect the light, but subtlety blend into the black of the dial. The DEEP BLUE logo has also been lumed, a very cool and unexpected touch.
The Shark Diver's dial is smart and understated it has beautifully brushed finished hands. Its minimal use of script on the dial makes for a nice clean look.
MOVEMENT For many the movement on a watch can make or break a deal. Personally I enjoy watches with in-house calibers as much as I do those with plain quartz movements. Both watches house mechanical movements.
The Master 2000 houses a Swiss ETA 2824-2 auto movement, whilst the Shark Diver houses a Japanese 21 Jewel Miyota 8215 automatic movement.
BRACELET The Master 2000 has a lovely solid contemporary bracelet. It has half links and of course solid end links that fit flush against the side of the case to give a nice sleek look.
The Shark Diver uses a clever combination of mesh and standard bracelet links. It has a very stylish look. If solid end links had been used to bridge the gap between the lugs and the side of the case, it would have made it for me, nerveless a lovely looks has been achieved.
Both watches share exactly the same divers’ clasp. Respectively signed with 'DB' and 'H'.
I made specific request to Stan of DEEP BLUE not to include any packaging for me, a personal choice because I have more boxes than I can cope with already, but I believe the Maser 2000 comes in a travel case.
Shark Diver's use of minimal packaging for me is PERFECT! The Shark Diver came presented in a small travel case with its warranty card, nothing more, nothing less, and just the way I like it.
LUME The Master 2000 has made superb use of its lume. It uses Super-LumiNova BGW9 Blue lume. Lume has been generously applied to the hands, dial, bezel and even the DEEP BLUE logo on the dial. For lume freaks, this watch is a must, it looks FANTASTIC!
The Shark Diver also uses Swiss SuperLuminova. Mine has a lovely soft amber glow, it is not as bright as the Master 2000, but is still very attractive.
© OceanicTime
PRICE Both watches offer exceptionally good value for money. If you told me 2 years ago I could pick up 2000m rated diver with a sapphire crystal and an automatic movement for circa 500USD I would be pretty stunned.
The Master 2000 costs 599USD (on sale price). The usual price is 999USD!
The Shark Diver costs 499USD, which is an introductory price, only.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS Personally I couldn't decide between either of them, they share so many similar traits, yet they are two very different watches. At the end of the day it all comes down to personal choice.
The Master 2000 with its stunning lumed bezel, pristine AR coating, Swiss ETA movement, modern bracelet with half links and solid end links, just seems a little more complete.
In the looks department the HELSON takes it. With its angular case design, chunky bezel, brushed hands and mesh bracelet.
If you can make a grab for both all the better, but if you can only chose one then I’m afraid you must decide for yourself, either way you will have acquired one hell of a great new diver, and your bank statement will still be left pretty much intact . . .
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