OceanicTime: March 2011

2011-03-31

B.O.C. PANERAI Submersibles

By TLex Ultra cool, ultra rare are these two special edition PANERAI Submersibles from Black-Out Concept B.O.C.

By TLex Whilst I was at the Baselworld watch fair I was fortunate enough to meet up with the very talented Stephan Obst of Vintage VDB, who kindly told me all about his latest project, VDB 2011. Here's what I know: VDB 2011 will be 100% made in Germany; not handmade / handcrafted as the VDB I, VDB II and VDB Combo etc. but machined. This is because the VDB 2011 is going to affordable. It's exact price is yet to be decided, but it will be sub 1'000euro.

The VDB 2011 won't be a big watch in terms of its overall diameter, I think just 42mm, but it will be solid with a thick case, 18mm or so and a huge 28mm lug width. If you look carefully at the hour hand of the VDB 2011 you will notice that its base extends out to form a fourth hand, which can be used for a second time-zone. The watch will be built in a single run of only 200 pieces. Stay tuned for plenty more renderings and an in-depth look at the VDB 2011 . . .

2011-03-30

PORSCHE DESIGN P'6780 Diver PVD

By TLex Who better to introduce the new PVD version of the PORSCHE DESIGN P'6780 Diver to me than CEO, Patrick Schwarz and Technical Director, Patrick Kury, who were kind enough to do an interview for OceanicTime last year. The new PVD finish, which is well routed in Porsche Design's watchmaking history (in 972 Porsche Design created the world's first completely black chronograph) adds further utility to the P'6780, whereas the blue of the minute hand and inner ring take us to the ocean, whereupon descending to the depths blue is always the last color to remain visible.

CLERC Hydroscaph LE Automatic Chronograph

By TLex Its grade 5 titanium case is made up of a whopping 103 separate components; the new Hydroscaph Chrono might have a reduced 500m depth rating to accommodate its specialized Chrono pushers, but with an increased overall thickness and higher bezel stature the Hydroscaph Chrono is looking even more like a diving tool than it's 1'000m sibling.

2011-03-28

ANONIMO New Collection

By TLex I was fortunate enough to meet with Antonio Ambuchi, who kindly talked me through the unique case construction of the Professionale. ANONIMO have made a new special edition for CNS International, which has their logo on the dial and caseback of the watch. Their is also a new dial tone for their flagship model the Professionale Chrono. The Marlin Bronze also with two new dial colors.

DELMA BlueShark 3000m

An interesting find for me, the new DELMA BlueShark 3000m. The phalic handset, (say the gents at DELMA) came from a previous model dating back some 15yrs. The 3000m case will be / has been (I forget) tested in Germany. There will be two bezel versions.

Pita OCEANA 2000m (new)

By TLex Pita have made a new 2000m version of the Oceana, the new watch is as the 5000m, except a greatly reduced case thickness.

U-BOAT U-1001 47mm

By TLex Last year U-BOAT released their first extreme divers model the U-1001, a 55mm Grade 2 titanium beast with a stunning sandwich dial featuring recessed photo-luminescent markers. This year the U-1001 47mm not only has a reduced case size, but has been constructed from 316L stainless steel. U-BOAT told me that the size reduction was to cater to their female customers, but I think there will be plenty of gents, who'll welcome the new 47mm case size and the likely price reduction of the new U-1001 47mm.

U-BOAT U-42 Chrono

By TLex I was lucky enough to be given some time by Italo Fontana, when I visited U-BOAT's amazing booth at the Baselworld fair and saw two new versions of the U-42. Firstly the U-42 is now available with a scaled down 47mm case, but also has a chronograph version with a Valjoux 7750. The new chrono is available in two sizes 55mm or 47mm.

ROTARY Aquaplunge (Baselworld 2011)

By TLex My initial excitement soon faded to disappointment, when I handled ROTARY's new diver, which takes its inspiration from the stunning 70s vintage ROTARY Aquadive. The vintage model (bottom) is of course lovely, the new inspired model (top) clearly earns the name AquaPLUNGE!

2011-03-23

OMEGA Seamaster PLANET OCEAN Titanium & Liquidmetal®

If you thought the Planet Ocean Liquidmetal® was the hottest thing to happen to the PO since 2005, think again! The new PLANET OCEAN Titanium & Liquidmetal® adds some titanium to the equation plus an XL sized 45.50mm case. The watch will house the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8500.

OceanicTime Baselworld 2011 (day 1)

By TLex There's been a pretty good reason why my blogging activities have been a little quiet these last few days. Reason being I was winging my way from Taipei to sunny Basel! I'm here now and have already had a peek at some of the intereresting new offerings on show this year, not least of which was the new PLANET OCEAN Titanium & Liquidmetal®. Omega have also given the PO a few updates such as new matt finished bezel inserts, which I will blog about in the coming days!

It seems like CORUM are going to be the talk of 2011 with the SEAFENDER DIVE & CHRONO 46. There are a couple of new versions of the DEEP HULL 48, one of which is a beautiful rose gold and DLC version. Romain Jerome reveal there first ever divers model, the Octopus, which has 200m or more WR and a 60-click divers bezel made from Titanic DNA. Among others was a suprise new diver from CERTINA.

Stay tunded for more soon . . .