Dive Watch GIVEAWAY

From TLex: By way of a thank you to all you great people who have been dropping in on my humble little blog over the last five months. I will be giving away a BNIB CASIO 200m Diver Super Illuminator Watch, and will ship it free to anywhere in the world. It should make a great beater.Two of them were sent to me by a good mate of mine who lives in LA, say no more, thanks Ian!


© Casio

CASIO 200m Diver Super Illuminator Watch Model: MDV-102D-1AV

* 200M Water Resistant
* Super Illuminator Light
* One-way Rotating Bezel
* Date Display
* 3-Hand Analog
* Accuracy: +/-20 seconds per month
* Battery CR2016
* Approx. battery life: 3 years
* Module 3305
* Size of case / total weight: 47.0 x 44.0 x 12.0mm / 100g
* MSRP USD69:95

To get the watch, email a reply to Casioilluminator@rocketmail.com with your name / handle and location, and if you like answer these simple questions or simply just say Hi! One person will be randomly selected as the recipient of the dive watch. By the way I cannot open any attachments that you send. I will close the giveaway on May 1st 2009 at which time I will announce details of the lucky recipient. Thanks again!

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CX Swiss Military 20'000 feet (Full Story)

For those of you who don't know this watch, here's the background:

In 2005 CX Swiss Military Watch broke the world record for the mechanical wristwatch with the highest depth rating, with a rating of 12'000 feet or 3657 meters. A record of 10908 meters had been achieved by Rolex's Deep Sea Special prototype, and don't ask me why but, it didn't count, probably because, as I mentioned before it was a prototype and never went into production.



Prior to the CX Swiss Military 12'000 feet, the previous record of 3000m was held jointly by; Girard-Perregaux's Seahawk II Pro, UTS München's 3000m and the Breitling Avenger Seawolf. All three great dive watches, although I am yet to own the UTS, I do have an SHII Pro or two and an Avenger Seawolf in my collection.


In 2008 Rolex's Seadweller DEEPSEA was released with a 3900m rating. Incidentally Rolex consulted with COMEX (who have a long running history with Rolex dating back to the late 1960's) during the DEEPSEA's development and in fact it was pressure tested to well over 4000 meters, but due to the number '4' being an inauspicious number in Asia (Rolex's biggest market), 3900m was put on the dial in place of 4000m. In my opinion the DEEPSEA is an incredible watch and for me is the pinnacle of Rolex's dive watch endeavors and a watch I shall never let go from my collection.



The other contender is the yet to be released PITA Oceana with its 5000m rating, but that’s another story that I shall go into at a later date!



Back to the 20'000 feet, there's no doubt about it, this is an incredible feat of engineering and on that basis alone makes this a dive watch of considerable note. The watch looks very slick and modern considering it's size. The use of titanium came as no surprise to me as it greatly helps to reduce weight, but the carbon fiber dial was a surprise and is a nice sporty touch.



However, I can't help but wonder if the 20'000 feet would have benefited from larger hands. That would, in my humble opinion have kept the watch more in line with it being the tool diver that it is.



And also, if a non-chronograph movement had been used; would this have lead to a considerable reduction in the case thickness making it more wearable. The case of the 20'000 feet is a whopping 28.5mm thick and as a result would sit up quite high on the wrist.



These are just minor considerations. Personally I would happily live the the hands and the case thickness, fully content in the knowledge that I own the world's deepest mechanical diver! Something that appeals to me and something that I would marvel at every time I looked down upon the 46mm X 28.5mm chunk of titanium and 10mm thick sapphire crystal that adorned my wrist. I have issues, no doubt!



Below is the full press release and plenty of hi-res images including some images of the extreme torture testing that the watch went through by means of; shotguns and water cannons amongst others. Enjoy!

Technical Specifications:


Movement:

. Chronometer-certified automatic chronograph ETA cal. 7750 Valjoux COSC

. 25 jewels

. 28'800 oscillations/h

. Power reserve 48h

. Etachron regulator system

. Glucydur balance bridge

. Nivaflex mainspring

. Antichoc with Incabloc shock-absorber


Functions:

. Hour; minute; small second at 9h

. Chronograph with 30 minute counter at 12h, 12 hour counter at 6h, central second counter

. Date at 3h


Case/bracelet:

. Solid titanium case/bracelet, Ø 46.0mm, thickness 28.5mm, weight 265gr total

. X-large crown with side-guards, allowing for diving with thick gloves

. Screw-down crown and pushers

. Red safety marking on pushers (visible when unscrewed)

. Domed, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, thickness 10mm

. Unidirectional rotating bezel, 60 minute graduation, Superluminova™ indices

. Solid titanium bracelet, lug-ends and links screwed

. Solid titanium folding clasp with safety catch and micro-adjustment

. Separate genuine rubber strap & rubber extension strap for dry-suit diving (wrist


circumference up to 35cm)

. Screw-driver

. Screw-down caseback, Limited Edition engraving

. Water-resistant to 7’500 meters (25’000 feet; 6’000 meters or 20’000 FEET &

25% safety margin as per ISO 6425)

. Helium relief valve

. anti-magnetic ISO 764


Dials:

. Silver, black carbon, blue or yellow

. Superluminova™ indices

. Counters sunburst decor


Hands:

. Oversized minute hand

. Superluminova™ coating

. All chronograph hands in red


WARRANTY EXTENSION

As an additional service for its customers Montres Charmex SA signed a contract with the Swiss insurance company HELVETIA to insure the 20’000 FEET by CX Swiss Military Watch™ against theft for the first two years.

Limited edition of 1'000 watches only

rrp Switzerland incl. 7.6% VAT CHF 3’995.-

rrp EU incl. 19% VAT EUR 2‘998.-

DWATCH for OceanicTime

By TLex Alon's just sent me this image of my new DWATCH he's been at BASELWORLD and went over to the factory to pick mine up for me! My DWATCH has the new Plongeur hand set / PVD bezel and bead blasted case. The only thing that will change will be the crown, which will also be PVD coated to match the bezel.



• 46.5mm.Case Bead-blasted Stainless Steel / PVD Bezel
• Lug to lug length: 52.29mm.
• Height 17mm.
• Lug width 24mm.
• Weight 172 grams.
• Depth 1000m WR.
• Black dial with ivory Plongeur hand set & 'OceanicTime' logo
• Movement high grade ETA 2824.
• AR coated sapphire crystal.

ROLEX Submariner TWO TONE

Here's Rolex's contribution to Baselworld which is actually one of the only ones that many care about.



Too small, too much gold, too expensive! Too much blue? Nah! Too much Rolex?



Of course not this is a great offering, just isn't for me.



What do you think? Sink or swim?

ORIS ProDiver 1stLOOK

With it's big f#ck off (that means really big in England) 51mm Titanium case, scratch-resistant ceramic bezel with DLC coated edges, 1000m of WR and an automatic HEV the Oris ProDiver is truly a diver for pros.



More details and Hi-Res images to follow . . .

CX Swiss Military 20'000 FEET

It's official this is a World Record breaker!



I mean would you look as thing -not exactly subtle is it. It's such a chubby boy but the bulk is there for a reason - depth; extreme depth.



I don't know what your opinions are on the CF dial? Yes, it's hi-tech I guess but it isn't exactly that classic clean style that a diver should have.



Movement:


* Chronometer-certified automatic chronograph ETA cal. 7750 Valjoux COSC

* 25 jewels

* 28'800 oscillations/h

* Power reserve 48h

* Etachron regulator system

* Glucydur balance bridge

* Nivaflex mainspring

* Antichoc with Incabloc shock-absorber


Functions:


* Hour; minute; small second at 9h

* Chronograph with 30 minute counter at 12h, 12 hour counter at 6h, central second counter

* Date at 3h


Case/bracelet:

* Solid titanium case/bracelet, Ø 46.0mm, thickness 28.5mm, weight 265gr total

* Water-resistant to 7’500 meters (25’000 feet; 6’000 meters or 20’000 FEET & 25% safety margin according to ISO norm 6425)


* X-large crown with side-guards, allowing for diving with thick gloves

* Screw-down crown and pushers

* Red safety marking on pushers (visible when unscrewed)

* Domed, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, thickness 10mm

* Unidirectional rotating bezel, 60 minute graduation, Superluminova™ indices

* Solid titanium bracelet, lug-ends and links screwed

* Solid titanium folding clasp with safety catch and micro-adjustment

* Separate genuine rubber strap & rubber extension strap for dry-suit diving (wrist circumference up to 35cm)

* Screw-driver

* Screw-down caseback, Limited Edition engraving

* Helium relief valve

* anti-magnetic ISO 764


Dials:

* Silver, black carbon, blue or yellow

* Superluminova™ indices

* Counters sunburst decorated


Hands:

* Oversized minute hand

* Superluminova™ coated

* All chronograph hands in red 20'000feet.com

TUDOR HYDRO 1200

This Tudor's new flagship diver. It isn't the best looking watch I've seen but it is one of if not Tudor's most capable diver yet.



With 1200 meters of water-resistance and a HEV this 45mm large watch is known as the Hydro 1200.



Actually its case and bezel aren't too bad. It's all the other bits, the accoutrements if you will. That HEVis a bit ott.



What do you think about the handset? Pretty ugly me thinks, but what do I know.



* Steel watch (45 mm)

* Self-winding mechanical movement

* Waterproof to a depth of 1200 meters (3930 feet),

* Helium valve

* Satin-finished and polished steel case

* Unidirectional rotatable black bezel

* Black dial

* Date at 3 o'clock

* Sapphire crystal, screw-down crown

* Steel and black ceramic bracelet with safety clasp Tudor

TUDOR Hydronaut II Date & CHRONO

Something new from Tudor with a load of functionality and some nice pops of red! What do you think?



* Steel watch (41 mm)

* Self-winding mechanical movement

* Waterproof to a depth of 200 meters (660 feet)

* Polished case

* Pushers at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock for chronograph

* functions, 1/8 turn locking system

* Hour totalizer at 6 o'clock, minute totalizer at 3 o'clock

* Small seconds hand at 9 o'clock

* Date corrector at 10 o'clock with 1/8 turn locking

system

* Unidirectional rotatable black bezel

* Black dial

* Date at 4 o'clock

* Sapphire crystal, screw-down crown

* Black rubber strap with folding clasp Tudor

OMEGA Seamaster PLOPROF 1200m

The legendary Ploprof is updated and recreated after 39 years!

In 1970 OMEGA launched a watch that had been created to withstand the crushing pressures endured by divers working deep below the surface of the ocean. It was the Seamaster 600, AKA the Ploprof, a name taken from the first letters of plongeurs professionnels, the French for professional divers and it was one of the most rugged, robust and seaworthy dive watches ever manufactured . . .



The unmistakable Co-Axial Ploprof- Now OMEGA is introducing an updated version of the classic and instantly recognizable wristwatch. Equipped with a Co-Axial caliber 8500, the new Ploprof 1200M is, as its name suggests, water resistant to an astounding 1200 metres (4000 feet) and it artfully combines its ancestor’s legendary features with OMEGA’s state-of-the-industry Co-Axial technology.

The Ploprof's case cannot be mistaken for that of any other watch: the screwed-in crown is located at 9 o’clock under a protective buffer. Its unique positioning allows freer wrist movement and prevents any inadvertent manipulation.



Designed for divers - The time and date adjustments are made by unscrewing the crown to release the protective buffer and then pulling the crown to the appropriate position. The Co-Axial caliber 8500 makes it possible to adjust the hour hand separately to accommodate different time zones or for the changes to daylight savings and back to standard time.

At the 2 o’clock position is the Ploprof’s characteristic bezel-release security pusher with an orange anodized aluminum ring. Pressing the pusher allows the bezel to be rotated in either direction and then locked firmly in position, ensuring that it cannot be accidentally shifted during a dive.



The Ploprof has an automatic helium escape valve located on the side of the case at the 4 o’clock position. This feature allows helium atoms to escape during decompression, and is particularly useful for professional divers operating from diving bells.

Two-piece oriented case-back - The casebody is made of brushed stainless steel and has polished bevels. The center piece of the two-piece oriented caseback features a background of straight, parallel waves with a polished OMEGA logo, the word “Seamaster” and the famous Seahorse on a matt surface. The center piece is sealed in place with an outer screw-in ring with black-chromed engraving of “1200m/4000ft”, “Ploprof”, and “OMEGA 8500 Co-Axial Escapement.



The Seamaster Ploprof 1200M has a polished, lacquered black dial with an applied polished OMEGA name and logo. The word “Professional” has been transferred in white. The polished indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova, as are the varnished hour and seconds hands. The oversized minute hand, which plays such an important role for divers, is crafted from orange aluminum and is coated with white Super-LumiNova. The Ploprof 1200M has a date window at the 4:30 position.

On your wrist; on your wet-suit - The Ploprof 1200M is available either with a brushed mesh "Sharkproof" bracelet or on a rubber strap in a choice of black or orange. The bracelet, with its double extension system, is fitted with OMEGA’s new diving safety clasp whose pinned links allow precise adjustments to 18 positions. It also features an extra divers’ extension to 26 mm so that the watch can be worn comfortably over a diving suit.



The watch is delivered in a special black zippered presentation case made of neoprene – the material used in divers’ wet-suits.

Respecting the past, defining the future - The OMEGA Co-Axial Ploprof 1200M bears a strong resemblance to its famous ancestor and it carries on the traditions of robust reliability and water resistance which have always defined OMEGA’s divers’ watches. But there are also some remarkable improvements: for example, the watch is driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial caliber 8500 with a free sprung balance.

This movement, launched in 2007, was created from inception by OMEGA and is one of the key elements in the revolution in mechanical watchmaking which has been taking place at the company since 1999.



With the launch of the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M, OMEGA has re-introduced a mythical diving watch, combining the look which made it a legend with cutting-edge watchmaking features. It is sure to be one of the most welcomed and talked-about releases of 2009.

Powering the Ploprof - The OMEGA Co-Axial caliber 8500 In 1890 OMEGA produced the first-ever industrialized movement. 117 years later, the company took a step which was every bit as dramatic when it launched its revolutionary Co-Axial caliber 8500, the movement at the heart of the new Ploprof.

The caliber, featuring the OMEGA Co-Axial Escapement, heralded OMEGA as a leading presence in the elite field of mechanical watchmaking. Its 202 components were created in-house, from inception, using third millennium technology to ensure optimum performance.



Introduced on an industrial scale by OMEGA in 1999, the Co-Axial Escapement had been invented by master watchmaker Dr. George Daniels. It is the watch’s escapement which provides the regular transmission of energy to the mechanism. Together with the free sprung balance, the Co-Axial Escapement offers optimal stability to the watch’s running rate over long periods and enhances the performance of the timepiece. In addition, due to the reduced sliding friction, the need for oil in this tiny component is nearly eliminated.



The automatic mechanism is driven by a highly efficient bi-directional rotor. The energy is then transmitted through two barrels providing the watch with an impressive power reserve of 60 hours. Adjusting the Ploprof when traveling through time-zones is simple as the hour hand can be moved separately from the minutes and seconds hands. The new Ploprofs, with their Co-Axial 8500 calibers, are COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certified chronometers.

DWATCH Custom (Bill's)

By TLex I have just heard from Alon and My DWATCH Custom will be shipped out to me sooner than I thought, as he is currently in Switzerland at Basel World. Great pictures like these taken by Bill (Thanks mate!), aren't making the wait any easier, though!

Since posting details of my original choice, I have made various changes to my configuration plus something a little special, that I won't reveal yet, but will certainly make my DWATCH the true bespoke dive watch Alon Behar (founder of DWATCH) had intended it to be. Enjoy the images, now go make your own!














© W.C Bartlett

Ulysse Nardin DIVER Perpetual

A quick first look at UN's new Diver Perpetual. Specs and Hi-res images to follow shortly!



Ulysse Nardin proudly presents the Diver Perpetual Limited Edition, a timepiece combining strong aesthetic and technical elements from the Marine and Perpetual Collections - the Best of both Worlds. The Ulysse Nardin Perpetual represented a revolutionary accomplishment in the history of watch making – the first Perpetual Calendar adjustable back and forwards from a single crown.

All adjustments from the minute hand to the year indicator are synchronized. A few rotations of the crown will result in the calendar displays moving forwards or backwards one or more days, a few months or even several years. At the end of the month the date display automatically displays the first of the next month, while the month disc rotates as well.

On December 31, date, day, month and year advance together. The calendar can also be adjusted backwards. The quick setting device is so ingenious that all corrections are performed over a single crown. In the year 2100 when other Perpetual Calendar watches will need to be returned to their manufacturer, Ulysse Nardin Perpetual Calendars will function normally; the day indicator can be adjusted independently.

The oversized date display offers easy reading. It consists of two discs, a Maltese cross for the tens and a ring for the units. Both rotate on the same level and together form the double digit date display.

The 45mm titanium case is individually numbered with a screw-crown and sapphire crystal. The exhibition case back affords a view of the movement equipped with a 22kt white gold rotor.

Water-resistant to 300 meters. The black carbon fiber structured dial with orange luminous indexes and hands coordinates perfectly with the turning bezel with its exclusive orange inlay.

BREITLING Chronomat B01

Not one of Breitling's most extreme divers and not from their Aeromarine range either.



Infact I would class the Chronomat as a sports watch, but with its 500m depth rating and unidirectional rotatable bezel, the newly redesigned Chronomat B01 is more diver than many that claim to be.



The Chronomat B01 is also one of Breitling's first new models to use the in-house Breitling Calibre B01. The new Chronomat B01 can now hold it's own against other manufacture sport watches.



Breitling has created a new highly exclusive version of its leading Chronomat model.



This illustrious instrument is equipped with the B01 calibre, the very first movement to have been designed and manufactured in the brand's workshops.



The new Chronomat B01 is also distinguished by its expertly reinterpreted design–a rotating bezel decorated with exclusive engraved numerals,



and a dial with hourmarkers or Roman numerals in a refined combination of colours, materials and levels–giving it a special place in the world of chronographs.



To guarantee its long-term independence and ensure that it has complete control over quality, Breitling is launching its own mechanical chronograph movement.





The accurate, reliable, sturdy and efficient B01 is directly in line with the philosophy of excellence that the brand has been pursuing for 125 years.



This new caliber has a column wheel, a vertical-trigger mechanism and a power reserve exceeding 70 hours, which ensures that the movement has a more regular rate. It was designed to maximize functionality and safety when in use.



Breitling also gave it some assertively innovative features intended to increase its ease of manufacture and use,



including a patented mechanism for auto-centering the reset hammers and an exclusive index regulator system that allows the watch's timing to be quickly customized to the wearer.



The B01's intelligent architecture also offers significant advantages in terms of maintenance.