OLIVIER Bronze DIVER

By TLex INTRODUCING the latest boutique dive watch brand, Olivier Watches with their debut model the OLIVIER Bronze DIVER. The OLIVIER Watch Co. was started (as many boutiques are) by a true watch enthusiast; one who had fallen for the charms of the ‘bronze diver’, but had become somewhat disillusioned by its price tag.

The founder of OLIVIER, who lives and works in LA as a designer soon realized that the only way that he was going to get the type of bronze diver with the spec. and looks that he wanted, and at a reasonable enough price was to produce it himself.

The OLIVIER Bronze DIVER is based on a classic cushion case design. It is constructed from CuSn8 Marine Grade Bronze, the alloy of choice by those wanting a material that has high structural strength and corrosion resistance to seawater, but that will also develop a lovely patina over time.

Its brushed bronze case measures 45mm in diameter with a thickness of 15.5mm. Its lug to lug measurement is just 48mm, which means that it will wear well even on smaller wrists; this was an important factor for its designer, who has a 6.5’’ wrist himself.

Further features include: a signed screwdown crown and engraved caseback and an automatic Helium Escape Valve. These components have been constructed from 316L Stainless steel, which allows for a nice contrast between the two different colors of the metal. 

The watch has a 4mm thick Sapphire crystal (AR coating inside) and is thoughtfully supplied with two solid bronze 120-click divers bezels; one all-bronze with engraved markers and one with a black insert with white markers. The caseback of the Bronze DIVER depicts the scene of a shipwreck. Notice also the ‘los angeles’ text, cool touch! The case has a water-resistance of 500 meters.

The modern-vintage dial of the OLIVIER Bronze DIVER has been divided into four. I love the font used for the text and am surprised at how much I like the date indicator with its blue pointer. A set of bronze swords hands have been used, then there’s a nice pop of color from the blue of the second hand. Multi-layered Swiss C3 SuperLuminova has been applied to the dial markers, hands and 12hr bezel marker.

The watch will be offered with two mechanical movement versions; a Swiss made ETA 2824-2 priced at 850USD and a Japanese made Miyota 8215 priced at 650USD. It will be supplied with a 24mm rubber divers strap with a handmade bronze buckle. For further details on pre-ordering your OLIVIER Bronze DIVER please follow the scuba diver icon at the bottom of the post or click 'HERE' to visit the OLIVIER Facebook page where you will be able to receive regular updates.