Introducing the brand-new Professional Line of Swiss made Watches from ManchesterWatchWorks and their debut model, the Beluga Ascent which takes its family name from the Arctic and sub-Arctic dwelling cetacean known for its distinctive white color. The name Ascent refers to the intriguing dive-time-scale on its diver’s bezel.
Almost three years ago, Doug Kim, owner and founder of MMW had an informal gathering with some friends who dive along with their dive buddies. Since he is not a diver himself (yet), he wanted to learn firsthand what their likes and dislikes were in regards to dive watches and what features they found useful or useless.
The information gleaned from this meeting lead directly to the implementation of some of the special features found on the Beluga Ascent. All the divers that were interviewed used dive computers, so as far as they were concerned, dive watches were either nostalgic throwbacks or simply used as additional back-ups.
He discovered that things like diver's extension clasps were irrelevant as most of them used rubber or nylon straps as they expand and contract with the wrist, and that bezels were sometimes difficult to grip, and that white on black dials were the most legible underwater; the list went on and on.
What Doug was most intrigued by was how they would use a mechanical dive watch as a back-up tool (in case of dive computer failure). So they discussed that at length and about the hazards of diving such as the deadly decompression sickness AKA The Bends. There and then, he decided he wanted to try to develop a bezel insert to aid with dive ascents to help divers avoid such dangers.
There was no overall consensus among this particular group of divers regarding dive depths and ascent rates. But one thing that they all agreed on was that Doug should research the standards that the U.S. Navy and other SCUBA organizations recommend.
So that is exactly what he did and after months of research, calculations and designs, he created an entirely new and original dive watch bezel to help divers keep track of dive ascent rates known as the Ascent Bezel TM.
He then designed the rest of the watch around the Ascent Bezel TM to make a rugged dive watch that was both classic and elegant in its design and would proudly bear the MWW label.
However, he didn't stop there - he decided to it was time to properly elevat the MMW brand by using the highest grade and most robust materials and found a Swiss partner to ensure the build quality was exceedingly reliable.
And so the BELUGA ASCENT was born as the debut model from MWW’s new BELUGA Professional Line of Swiss Made watches.
ASCENT Bezel TM - patent pending bezel indicator with 120 click clockwise unidirectional bezel with a ceramic bezel insert fully lumed with C3 SuperLuminova to match the minute hand. The bezel has a diameter of 43mm for easy gripping.
Watch Head - brushed and polished solid 316L Stainless steel case with a 41mm diameter and 50mm length and 13mm height (including crystal), 500m of water-resistance with a Helium Escape Valve,
screwed down case-back with double Viton gaskets and screwed-down crown with double gaskets. Raised and beveled Sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating, 24 hour brushed steel outer dial ring.
Signature micro-engraved maelstrom patterned dial with BGW9 SuperLuminova BGW9, minute hand lumed with C3 SuperLuminova to match the bezel insert, hour hand plus white seconds hand both lumed with BGW9.
Movement - self-winding mechanism with ball bearing, Swiss made ETA 2824-2 timed and regulated to 3 positions (hours, minutes, sweep second). Date, corrector and Stop second device.
Regulator system ETACHRON and regulator corrector. Beat-rate of 28.800 vibrations per hour; 4 Hz. 25 Jewels. 38-40 hours of power-reserve.
Straps – used with drilled through lug holes, custom made solid, brushed finish 316L Stainless steel bracelet with screw bar link adjustments, machined solid end-links and Stainless steel clasp with solid bridges.
Also included is a sand colored custom made 'seatbelt' nylon dive strap with extra spring bars. Accessories incl. a steel strap changing tool and a canvas travel roll custom made to fit watches up to 50mm in diameter.
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