BREITLING Exospace B55 YACHTING

Aviators, Motor racers - divers? No, not them (yet) but now also sailors; Breitling’s high-tech, intelligent chronograph, the Exospace B55 has equipped them all.

For 2018 the Exospace B55 gets a new look plus relevant functionality fit for the world of yachting.



Featuring a Breitling Manufacture Caliber B55, the multifunction, smartphone-connected Exospace B55 Yachting with its strong, lightweight Titanium case, presented on a sporty blue rubber strap has been reinvented for yachting professionals and regatta competitors.



It is equipped Breitling’s thermos-compensated quartz electronic movement which powers a chronograph with analog as well as 12- and 24-hour digital displays, all clearly visible through a Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides.

The chronograph has a clever countdown system, featuring audio, visual, and vibrating alarms and indications. If a race judge stops a countdown, it is easy to re-sync the watch to the new countdown when it resumes.



The watch stores split times, which can be read instantaneously on the watch’s digital screen or, when the Exospace is synchronized to a smartphone, on the phone’s display. Furthermore it should provide hours of enjoyment soaking in the bath alongside your rubber ducky!

Thoughts? This is seriously cool – are Breitling one step away from making a dive computer? Who’d like to see that? ;)

YEMA Superman Lagoon AUTO

Yema have raided their historic archives for the inspiration for their latest diver’s model. This is the Superman Lagoon / Swell Automatic evolved from a Yema vintage model dating back to 1964.



This is the Lagoon variant which has this rather lovely blue sunburst dial. There is a second auto with named Swell which has circular rather than the lovely block markers of the Lagoon. In addition there are some quartz models in the collection.



The Lagoon also has a black dial version. Basic spec. includes: 40mm x 12.9mm Stainless steel case with Mineral crystal (quel dommage) and 300 meters of water-resistance and an automatic Maison Ambre MBP 1000 movement.



MSRP is 690euro. Thoughts? Lagoon all the way – way nicer markers – still a pity they are using mineral instead of Sapphire – at its price point there is absolutely NO REASON to use mineral. Pft!

RALF TECH WRV Automatic 1977 Diplomate ROYALE

Fewer colour combinations are more royal than those of Navy Blue and Gold – RALF TECH has absolutely nailed it with the look of their newest WRV 1977!

Boasting a stunning lacquered Navy Blue dial with appliqué gold indexes, the WRV Automatic 1977 Diplomate has more than earnt the name, Royale.

It makes even more sense when you consider, Royale is also what the French Marine Nationale or French Navy is known as.



RALF TECH, a Franco Swiss brand famously equips the majority of the Special Forces in the French Navy – this model you could say is tribute to them.

This new version of the 1977 series, like its predecessors has been produced in Limited Edition of just 77 pieces.

It is characterized by its lacquered Navy Blue dial adorned with 2N18 Gold indexes, an alloy composed of yellow gold, silver and copper, recalling the blue cloth and the stripes and buttons of the French military sailor’s ceremonial uniforms.



With its screw-down crown positioned at 4 o'clock, its 3.5mm thick Sapphire crystal, diver’s bezel and 200 meters of water-resistance, the watch needn’t only stand on ceremony – it is also ready for action.

But should the occasion call for it a black Barénia calfskin strap, hand-stitched in the French Jura, offers the 1977 Diplomate Royale just the right amount of elegance. What do you think?

CASIO G-SHOCK GMW-B5000 [full metal jacket]

These look bloody rude! That means they have a rather lovely aesthetic where I come from. My, how far the humble G-Shock has come since it was first released 35 years ago.



The 5000 Series with its iconic square-shape has always been the classic G-Shock – today it goes full metal for the first time with a brand-new 200m water-resistant, Stainless steel case construction.



All outer components, including bracelet, case, and bezel, are entirely made from Stainless steel. In addition to this, it still has a high-level of shock-resistance thanks to the use of a highly durable fine resin insert between the steel case and bezel.



Available in 4 sexy references, the GMW-B5000 not only has a killer look that would make a Swiss watch blush but it is brimming with tech.



It boasts accurate time anywhere in the world using the Connected Engine, which connects to a time server via a paired smartphone, and radio wave time-calibration signals as well as connection to the G-SHOCK Connected smartphone app.



The GMW-B5000TFG-9 is a special edition created to celebrate the 35th anniversary of G-SHOCK, with a Gold Ion-Plate treatment and the G-SHOCK 35th anniversary logo inscribed on its case-back. It comes in a commemorative box.



The GMW-B5000TFC-1 is a special model developed in collaboration with leading Japanese luggage-maker Yoshida & Co., Ltd. A Limited Edition of just 500 watches will be released, worldwide. This model comes cased in a specially designed bag produced by Yoshida & Co., Ltd., under its PORTER brand.



The GMW-B5000TFC-1 features a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating throughout and is inscribed with the G-SHOCK 35th anniversary logo on the case back.

I don’t think it’s a question of liking these or not – imo, they have mass appeal.

It’s more a question of, which one of them you like best. It's classic brushed steel for me - how about you?

DELMA Shell Star BLACK TAG [reach out, grab and break for the surface]

Here’s a killer orange on black combo for those looking for something in a vintage style with a striking contemporary twist.

It’s the Shell Star Black Tag from Delma’s 2018 lineup. BTW if the bright orange is too much for you – fear not the collection includes a second variant in stealthy black on black.



Taking its inspiration form the world of free-diving, the Black Tag combines a high-level of durability with its DLC-coated exterior with high visibility thanks to brightly contrasting dial elements in vivid orange.



The Black Tag owes its name to the tag that free-divers must reach out and grab at their target depth. Held tightly in their hands they break the surface of the water holding it triumphantly above their heads as they take their first lungful of air.



The Shell Star that we know today saw its initial release in 2016; you can read my in-depth review of it HERE, but the watch can trace its roots back to 1975 when Delma’s first professional divers’ watch of the same name was launched.



The Shell Star has become an important milestone for the Delma brand and was in 2017 used as a platform for the Swiss brand’s, new OCEANMASTER collection.

The Black Tag with, its large crown protector, its 44mm DLC-coated case, its Helium Escape Valve and 500 meters of water-resistance is clear about its intent as a professional diver’s watch –



however as is often the case a dive watch serves more than one role. A Swiss made automatic ETA 2824-2 with a custom gold plated Delma rotor (visible through a Sapphire exhibition case-back) takes care of time;



while its dial in a highly visible retro-style highlighted with bursts of orange against its matte black background not only ensures excellent readability but looks pretty damn hot.



The only question left is which of the two bezel options to go for? The choice is yours, but mines orange all the way.

The Delma Shell Star Black Tag has a Swiss MSRP of 1290CHF. BTW follow the link to check out live pics of Delma’s other BLACK diver.

MÜHLE GLASHÜTTE ProMare GO

Here’s a new diver from Mühle-Glashütte. The ProMare Go has a 42mm Stainless steel case featuring a 2.5mm-thick Sapphire crystal and a water-resistance up to 300 meters.



Power comes from a Sellita based, SW 200-1 Mühle automatic movement with their famous Woodpecker Neck Regulation, custom rotor, characteristic surface finishes, stop-second, fast date correction, and 38hrs of power reserve.

BTW the name ProMare is a Latin-inspired nautical name meaning for the sea. Looks pretty nice!

SEIKO Prospex SOLAR Chrono Diver SSC675P1

This is Prospex Solar Chrono Diver Ref. SSC675P1 which comes with a steel case, black crown and chrono-pushers and a special blue wave-pattern dial plus matching blue bezel.

Powering the watch is a Japan Seiko V175 Solar caliber with an accuracy of ±15 seconds per month and an operating time of approx. 6 months from fully charged.



Its functions include: an overcharge prevention function, 24-hour hand and a chronograph up to 1 hour in 1/5 second increments.

Diver’s features include a unidirectional diver’s bezel, a Hardlex crystal, Seiko orange LumiBrite applied hands and indexes, screw-down chrono-pushers, crown and case-back, magnetic-resistance, a water-resistance of 200m and a rubber divers strap.

SEIKO Prospex DIVER Samurai SRPC93K1

This is the new Propsex Samurai Ref. SRPC93K1 which comes with a steel case and a special blue wave-pattern dial plus matching blue bezel.

Its 43.8mm in diameter case is made from Stainless steel. It is fitted with a black rotational diver’s bezel with an orange 15-min scale, and a Hardlex mineral crystal. The case has a water-resistance up to 200 meters.



Powering the Samurai is an in-house, Seiko Japan automatic 4R35 caliber with 23 jewels, a beat-rate of 21,600 vph and a power reserve of 41 hours. Its dial is in orange with black Seiko LumiBrite filled hands and white markers.

The Prospex Diver Ref. SRPC93K1 comes on a Stainless steel bracelet but is also supplied with a black silicone divers strap with a Stainless steel buckle.

SEIKO Prospex Diver TURTLE SRPC91K1

This is the Seiko Prospex Turtle Ref. SRPC91K1 which comes with a steel case and a special blue wave-pattern dial plus matching blue bezel.



Powering the Turtle is an in-house, Seiko Japan automatic 4R36 caliber with 24 jewels, a beat-rate of 21,600 vph and a power reserve of 41 hours. The hands and dial markers are with Seiko Lumibrite.

The Turtle’s 45mm in diameter case is made from Stainless steel. It is fitted with a black rotational diver’s bezel with a colored 15-min scale, and a Hardlex mineral crystal. The case has a water-resistance up to 200 meters.

VICTORINOX Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Pro Diver TITANIUM

Let’s start with the paracord strap – not digging this at all as it reminds me too much of those break-dancer crazy laces from the 80s.

The watch itself which is in bead-blasted Titanium measuring 45mm, with 200 meters of water-resistance and fitted with a diver’s bezel and Sapphire crystal –looks really nice. Thumbs up!



The black dial version looks reasonable to me, but hold on a minute; what’s this? Why is the seconds hand in black and yellow hazard stripes?



Perhaps it’s a friendly warning about the funky blue marine-camo version with its matching paracord. Both variants are powered by Swiss Ronda Cal. 715 quartz movements.

BULOVA Archive Series Oceanographer DEVIL DIVER

Bulova’s highly anticipated Oceanographer AKA DEVIL DIVER (owing to its 666ft. of water-resistance) is almost ready for its official release.



The Oceanographer Devil Diver AKA Snorkel 666FT will be released as part of Bulova’s Archive Series of historical watches and produced as a homage to the original from the 1960s.

Two size variants will be released: a Limited Edition in a damn as near it, faithful reproduction measuring 40mm and a non-LE in 44mm.



Its Stainless steel case will be equipped with an old-school box-shaped crystal and will likely house a basic automatic mechanical movement (not Swiss) well at least it isn’t going to be a quartz.

Despite this it will likely cost around 800USD with up to almost twice that for the LE! Sod that!

RAYMOND WEIL Freelancer Diver REALTEAM

Raymond Weil has teamed with Realteam Sailing for the GC32 Racing Tour as the official partner. In celebration of the new partnership, RW have created a slinky new version of their freelancer dive watch.



The new FREELANCER Diver has a 42.5mm diameter case in polished Stainless steel with a unidirectional rotational diver’s bezel in blue ceramic with a white dive-time scale and a luminescent indicator, as well as a screwed-down crown embossed with the Brand’s signature RW monogram.



It has a water-resistant to a depth of 300m, and has successfully passed a number of tests, ensuring its resistance to impact, magnetic waves, pressure and temperature changes. Its automatic movement has a 38-hour power reserve.



It is presented on either a Stainless steel link bracelet with a folding clasp or a rubber divers strap with a double push-security system and integrated steel diver’s extension.

FRANCK DUBARRY Bronze DIVER

Actually I have no idea what this new bronze diver from avant-garde, watchmaker Franck Dubarry is properly named.

It is yet to have an official release, but what the brand says of their new diver is that it has an ‘’unalterable’’ bronze case so won’t get the usual patina – perhaps a plasma coating?



The 43mm in diameter diver has 300 meters of water-resistance and is powered by one of the brand’s bonkers movements.

In addition to bronze the new Franck Dubarry diver will be made from forged carbon as well as Damascus steel.

SEIKO Prospex SRPA82K1

This ugly-looking beast is the latest shrouded diver released by Seiko Prospex for 2018. Its case measures 51.7mm in diameter with a thickness of 13.4mm.



It boasts magnetic-resistance and a water-resistance of 200 meters and houses a 24 jewel Seiko automatic Cal. 4R36 with a power-reserve of approx. 41hrs.

Further features include: gold case and dial elements and Seiko LumiBrite hands and markers. It will be available from July 2018.

SEIKO Prospex DIVERSCUBA black BEZEL

This the NEW Seiko Prospex Diverscuba Ref. SPB077J1 or Ref. SBDC061 in Japan where it has a retail price of 110,000 JPY+TAX. BTW it will be available, Worldwide from July 2018.

Features of the watch include: a 44mm x 13.5mm x 50.1mm Stainless steel case featuring Seiko’s super-hard Dia Shield coating and a Sapphire crystal with an inner anti-reflective coating.



Divers features include: magnetic-resistance, divers bezel, screw-down case-back and crown, Seiko LumiBrite hands and markers and 200 meters of water-resistance.

Power comes from an automatic with manual winding Seiko 6R15 movement a power reserve of 50hrs and a static accuracy of -15 to +25 seconds per day.