ZRC GF 3000 Titanium 3000M

©OceanicTime

 

MIDO Ocean Star TRIBUTE Collection

Do we really need more green in our lives? Hell, yes, you better believe it, and you know what we are right in the midst of a full on green revolution as we see just about everyone bringing to market their take on nature’s most soothing of colors; said to represent tranquility, good luck, health and wellbeing. But just in case you aren’t down with this particular, grasshopper-friendly shade which Mido are simply calling “”green” – not REED green or GREENWICH or even MILITARY green; the new Sea Star Tribute collection is delivered with two addition colors: black and blue. Paying tribute to the Ocean Star collection on its 75th anniversary; Mido has given the new collection some lovely vintage touches that not only hark back to the 1960s when the Ocean Star name was born but generally give the watch a ton of charm adding greatly to its appeal. You can’t fail to miss the old school box-shaped Sapphire crystal – don’t shoot me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure that this is a first for the modern-day Mido brand as we know it, and then of course there’s the matte finished dial with its block hands, matchstick minutes and the oh so desirable lollipop seconds hand. Sure, this sort of vintage styling is far from new but it’s certainly interesting to see (how to say) less inspired brands finally catching on to the retro trend; I guess they are having to work harder for our patronage more than ever. Mido for one who have all of sudden really upped their game. The new Mido Ocean Star Tribute watches get compact 40.5mm in diameter by 13.4mm Stainless steel cases which are water-resistant up to a pressure of 20 bars (200 m/656 ft.). These are fitted with diver’s bezels with color-coded inlays which we must assume are aluminum rather than ceramic because there’s no mention otherwise. They also get solid screw-down case-backs with the brand’s historic starfish emblem on them. Powering the collection is an automatic Mido Caliber 80 (base ETA C07.621) with 25 jewels, a day date function and 80hrs of power-reserve. Finally the watches of Mido’s new Ocean Star Tribute collection come with a choice of either; a color coded textile (leather underneath) strap with white contrast stitching or a multi-link chain bracelet. The MIDO ocean Star Tribute has a Swiss retail price of 990CHF (bracelet) 870CHF (textile). Thoughts? While I have lavished a fair amount on praise on Mido of late for finally catching my attention – in the grand scheme of things, they are pretty late to the vintage game and still could do more to perfect the look of these watches. For starters – bin the day-date and make sure the bezel inlay is at least ceramic.

By what do you think; do you like them how about the Khaki green variant?

 

NOVE Trident AUTOMATIC

NOVE’s ultra-thin luxe diver has gone automatic for 2021! * 

Go thin or go home – if there is one thing that NOVE has strived for since day one (besides its pursuit of perfection that is, which includes its use of Swiss watchmaking’s latest and greatest – 

which it delivers in a high-tech, luxurious yet affordable package known as the Trident – it is to be known for producing one the World’s thinnest diver’s watch cases!

Combining function, craftsmanship, and luxury, NOVE has set about reinventing the classic Swiss diver’s watch – which it has now done with the inclusion of an R150 automatic mechanical movement. The new TRIDENT AUTOMATIC features a beautifully sleek redesign of NOVE’s already popular Trident line of watches, built in an ultra-slim 13.05mm case with up to 200m of water resistance. Featuring Super Luminous technology on the watch indexes and hands, the Trident Automatic Dive Watch produces a vibrant glow for clear visibility in the dark. NOVE has also updated the dial itself, using the highest grade of Tahitian Mother of Pearl (Pinctada Maxima), which can take up to two years to mature and obtain from oyster shells.

The updated dial and case are now topped with a double curved Sapphire crystal, creating enhanced visibility and increased durability as well as a dramatic new look. 

[*this article is tagged "advertorial" which means it includes paid content]

 

BALL Watch Co. Hydrocarbon DeepQUEST CERAMIC

It’s a DeepQUEST II but not as you know it! 

For 2021 Ball’s all singing, all dancing, overdesigned, over engineered diver’s watch has had a big bucket of ice cold water thrown over it and you know what – it’s as sober as a judge – well almost. 

Introducing the new (soon to be released) DeepQUEST Hydrocarbon Ceramic, a watch that will give your Breitling Superocean and Tudor Pelagos et al a good run for their money.

Based on Ball’s Hydrocarbon DeepQUEST II which was released in 2020, the new DeepQUEST Ceramic is its sensible younger brother. 

Sure it came from the same gene pool so boasts the same exceptional DNA only it was delivered in far quieter manner and comes with a much prettier face. 

Starting with its 42mm in diameter by 15.5mm thick Monobloc case; this has been produced much the same way as the OG DeepQUEST 3’000M so has been milled from a single block of Titanium.

It is also shock resistant to 7,500Gs, is resistant to magnetic fluxes up to 4,800A/m and houses an automatic mechanical movement which has the coveted COSC certification. 

In this instance the case is water-resistant to 1’000m. The case is now equipped with diver’s bezel with a colored ceramic inlay which can be paired with either the same color or black dial. 

While its bezel design differs from the DeepQUEST II’s, Ball have sill engineered tons of ergonomics into it. 

In addition to this the watch also boasts a pretty cool party piece that it inherited from the DeepQUEST II – 

its beautifully fluted, bulbous-style, winding crown comes with an ingenious patented automatic Helium Release Valve integrated into it because … I mean where else could you put it?

So that’s the engineering side of the DeepQUEST Ceramic, but where the real difference comes is in the completely new dial layout which has dispensed with the oversized Arabic numerals of the DQ II (shown belwo) and instead gone for simple baton style indexes. 

This is still a Ball so naturally it is fully illuminated by way of Tritium Micro Gas Tubes.

The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon DeepQUEST Ceramic will have an MSRP in the US of approx. 4’430USD on its Ti bracelet or 4’300USD on rubber. 

Thoughts? While the black execution is an obvious staple that most will opt for – it’s the all green variant that is the real show stopper for me. What do you think, pretty nice eh! 

 

GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL SeaQ REED GREEN

Dive into the great outdoors this Spring with GO’s handsome new SeaQ variant which is delivered in a lovely seasonal green tone – reed green to be precise.

I say keep it on topic, folks; why not seaweed green or sea algae; then again. Of course, kelp green that would have been perfect only GO want you to grab one of their new SeaQ Reed Greens and head into the reeds; 

well at least the countryside which is why the watch is casually perched on some sort of hiking boot in the lifestyle shot. This doesn’t explain the out-of-focus wrist-shot, though – hay fever and taken in mid sneeze? I digress; you came here to find out so much more about the new SeaQ Reed Green. 

The watch which will be initially launched in N. America and later made available Worldwide this May is based on the 39.5mm in diameter model and is in Stainless with a polished and satin-brushed finish. And despite all of its trail walking, hiking and reed wading (picnicking?) aspirations, it like any SeaQ has undergone a slew of rigorous tests in order to be certificated as a professional diver’s watch. Which it has done in compliance with DIN 8306 and ISO 6425 standards for diver’s watches and so meets both German and international standards of quality.

Water-resistant to 200 meters and powered by GO’s 39-11 automatic manufacture movement, the watch boasts a Reed Green ceramic bezel inlay as well as dial. 

It also comes as most SeaQs do with a choice of rubber, textile or steel strap/bracelet options.

MSRP in the US is from 9’000USD (rubber) or 10’200USD (steel; however I think it looks absolutely perfect (a bit small if we’re honest) but still very nice on the textile strap. 

But what do you think? 

OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M BLACK BLACK

Can you handle this much black? I know I can – I just happen to have the ZRC GF 300 Black PHANTOM but here’s Omega’s take on the stealth look and very nice it is too. 

The Seamaster Diver 300M goes full black on black or what Omega are calling “black black” you know, like you when teach toddlers the basics.

As you can deduce from its cute name, the Black Black (wtf this just sounds weird to me) takes the stealth look in its most extreme form – the monochromatic beauty has been executed entirely in black; from - its blacked out dial that features black PVD indexes and skeletonized hands with black lume set against a black wave-pattern, to its high-tech black ceramic [ZrO2] case which is equipped with black components as well as a black rubber strap! Only if you turn the watch over there are a couple of missed opportunities i.e. the Caliber 8806’s rotor as seen through the sapphire case-back and of course the red text found on it – shudda gone the extra mile and done a black rotor. Would have been killer! The case btw measures 43.5mm in diameter and features all the typical Seamaster Diver 300M diving features such as its unidirectional diver’s bezel and the manually operated HEV which can be found at 10 o’clock on the side of the case.

Completing the look is an integrated black rubber diver’s strap with a black ceramic [ZrO2] buckle. MSRP in the US is 8'650USD. 

Thoughts? This is pretty badass but with a black rotor it could have been better– what do you think?