SEIKO Prospex 55th Anniversary DIVER’S Limited Editions [the HOLY TRINITY]

Seiko fans, prepare yourselves for a religious experience – this is the second coming, not of Christ, not the Holy Trinity (as such), but a holy trinity of sorts and there is a resurrection involved.



For the Seiko diver’s devotees, Seiko Prospex (who is not one to miss an opportunity to celebrate with an historic re-edition) has resurrected three important divers from the 60s and 70s.



The first model dates back to 1965 when Seiko introduced the first ever Japanese made diver’s watch, the 62MAS.



Equipped with an automatic movement and a water-resistance to 150m, it was put to use by the members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition from 1966 to 1969.



From 1965 to 1975 Seiko created several popular divers, however there were three standout models,
these important landmarks from Seiko's first decade as a world-class dive-watchmaker have been re-created for 2020.

Celebrating Prospex’s 55th Anniversary, they are offered individually or in one epic triple boxset.



While the designs of each of three models remain faithful to the historic models that they are based on, they have very much up-to-date specs. that make use of ultra-modern materials.



Besides the use of Titanium or the Zirconia Ceramic that replaces a once plastic shroud, Seiko are most proud of their advanced grade of Stainless steel used in the construction of all three.



Known as Seiko Ever-Brilliant Steel (owing to its brilliant white tone), this grade of steel is more corrosion-resistant than any steel used in most high-end watches, today.



A watch industry first, it has been used for the cases of the 1965 and 1968 re-creations as well as the bezel of the 1975 re-creation whose case is Titanium, like the OG model.



This Stainless steel has a PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) value 1.7 times higher than that of the grade of steel used in most high-end watches. PREN is a widely accepted standard used to measure corrosion-resistance.



This type of steel is used extensively in the surfaces, linings, bolts and other components of marine structures and vessels so as to avoid corrosion in a chloride-rich environment such as seawater.



In addition to the new materials there are also special movements for the trilogy. The 1965 and 68 re-creations are powered by the high beat 8L55 movement while the 1975 re-creation has a Caliber 8L35.



Both movements were developed and assembled specifically for diver's watches at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio.



All three models have Sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating on the inside. The 1975 re-creation has an increased anti-magnetic resistance of 40,000 a/m thanks to its dial which is made of pure iron.



The trilogy will be rolled out this of 2020 with SLA037J1 (65) released in June, SLA039J1 (68) in July and SLA041J1 (75) in August.



However Prospex’s answer to the Arch of the Covenant, the Prospex Diver’s 55th Anniversary Limited Editions Special Commemorative Box will be available from May 2020.

The special commemorative box will have all three re-creations inside with additional black straps. Just 100 sets will be released.



STOP WHALING in JAPAN

VENTURO Field Watch #2 by Gruppo Gamma

Introducing the new Venturo Field Watch #2 by Gruppo Gamma.

Gruppo Gamma who are now into their seventh year, launched their Venturo label last year and debuted the FIELD WATCH #1.



For 2020 Venturo has another offering and once again it’s a field watch, named simply the Field Watch #2.

Field watches are closely related to diver’s watches and share many of the same design attributes such as shock and water-resistance.



Both watch styles have military roots. Field watches once known as “trench watches” were designed for soldiers to wear in WWII.

Typically made of Stainless steel, they were engineered so that they were dust and waterproof but above all else they had to be accurate and legible.



The Venturo Field Watch #2 with its classic cushion-shaped case is based on the elusive Rolex Oyster Army watch, the Ref. 3139 that was issued in small numbers to soldiers during World War II.

There are some key differences, however. Unlike the 30mm Rolex, the Field Watch #2 offers greater wrist presence thanks to its larger 42mm case.



It also boasts a beautiful alternating brushed and polished surface finishing while the profile of its case-back gently recalls the iconic Rolex “Bubbleback”.



It also has a far more modern spec. with a 316L Stainless steel case, 200m of water-resistance, a Sapphire crystal, Swiss Super-LumiNova X1 grade, and a robust NH35A automatic mechanical movement from Seiko Instruments.



The Venturo Field Watch #2 comes in a full kit and is currently available for pre-order priced 349USD (shipping via DHL Express is FREE).



Two straps are included within the kit - one vegetable tanned leather and one rolled canvas.

Extra-long leather straps would also be available to those who require it. Pre-orders are expected to ship at the end March to early April 2020.



Follow the link HERE or the one embedded, below for more information, including full technical details.

UNIMATIC x Massena LAB Modello UNO U1-ML6

Mr. Porter, Sponge Bob, Nigel Cabourn – Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik? No, not him; the charismatic-looking gentleman, below is actually watch industry veteran, William Massena -



of the watch collaboration studio, Massena LAB, the latest big name to team up with Unimatic to create a special edition of the Italian watch brand’s flagship diver, the Modello Uno.



This is essentially a Modello Uno, a watch that we have seen here a dozen times in one guise or other but perhaps this one comes with some real horological cred’ thanks to Massena LAB.



It also boasts a first for Unimatic, who are well-known for their sterile diver’s bezels as this is the first time they have put a 15 minute dive-time-scale on the bezel of one of their watches.



The bezel’s classic black inlay also features a red triangle dot marker, reminiscent of the Rolex 6538, made famous by Sean Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger.



Unimatic say of the watch’s 120-click bezel - one that it hangs slightly over the diameter of the watch so that is more ergonomically friendly but that is also audibly and tactilely pleasing!



The Modello Uno U1-ML6 has a 40mm Stainless steel case; housed inside is an automatic caliber; not a Swiss one but the standard Seiko NH35A 21600bph, with a power reserve of 41 hours.



Special features of the watch include a galvanized dial. Each one went through a galvanization process, fading from its original black color to its tropical, warm brown tone.



As each dial reacts differently to the process, no two are exactly alike – creating a truly unique watch.



In addition, the dial has hand-applied SuperLumiNova on its hands and markers – so that it is entirely hand-made (or in Italian) “fatto a mano”. Fatto mano? I’m trying to keep a straight face.



On the backside of the watch, there is a detailed engraving of the Greek god, Poseidon.

Aside from the reference to the god of the sea, the engraving pays tribute to World War II hero and veteran Alastair Robertson, an officer in the British Royal Navy.



Before his retirement, he served as the navigator for the aircraft carrier HMS Ocean, the ship’s crest was that of Poseidon.



Fitted with a Horween Shell Cordovan Color 8 strap, the Unimatic x Massena LAB U1-ML6 comes with a black, heavy-duty nylon NATO strap for added versatility.



Each limited edition is housed in a branded UNIMATIC x Massena LAB tough case with a 24 months warranty card and unique ID seal and is part of a unique edition of 99 pieces.



Thoughts? It’s good to see Unimatic using a proper 15-min scale on one of their divers for a change.

I like the dial but the case-back is a bit of a cliché and the story behind it (besides being ironic coming from an Italian brand) is a little cheesy. What do you think?

BULOVA Chronograph “A” SURFBOARD LE & SURFBOARD

Bulova once again look to the 1970s for inspiration for their latest diver’s model.

Hoping to ride a similar wave of success (Get it? I don't know why I bother.) that the Oceanographer AKA DEVIL DIVER experienced, Bulova have pulled something pretty cool out of their historic archives for 2020.



Based on an iteration of Bulova’s Deep Sea Chronograph, nicknamed the “Surfboard” owing to the distinctive oval surfboard-shape that frames its two sub-dials this is the 2020 Bulova Chronograph A Surfboard.



There are two versions of the 2020 Surfboard: a Swiss made Limited Edition of 350 pieces powered by a Swiss, 27-jewel, five-hand automatic chronograph movement with a power-reserve of 48-hrs.

The auto is delivered on solid Stainless steel retro-styled bracelet. It has “SWISS MADE” on its dial so as to distinguish it from the lesser Quartz models and has an MSRP of 2’950USD. It is available from March.



The second version comes with 3 dial, bezel and strap combos and is powered by a five-hand, Quartz chronograph caliber. It comes on a vintage Tropic-style rubber diver’s strap priced 695USD and is available in the US, now.



All Surfboard models get Stainless steel watch cases with 200 meters of water-resistance and AR-treated domed Sapphire crystals.

The Swiss auto measures 38.5mm in diameter by 16.7mm thick in keeping with the historic models dimensions while the Quartz models measure 40.5mm by 14.5mm.



Thoughts? It’s another interesting offering from Bulova. I love the quirky surfboard design but 38.5mm for the best part of 3K makes this a release for the small wristed faithful, only.

Meanwhile the blue quartz model is the best looking of the bunch but, it’s still a quartz! What do you think?

ORIS Aquis Date 39.5MM [Oceanic Blue]

Oris has launched two new Aquis models for 2020, one with a new case size of 41.5mm made in answer to customer feedback; and the one shown here boasting a new Oceanic Blue gradient dial that joins the existing collection of 39.5mm models.

Both models are water-resistant to 300 meters and feature unidirectional rotational diver’s bezels, the model shown here has a tungsten bezel inlay while the second larger Sunray Blue model gets ceramic.



Both are available on Stainless steel link bracelets featuring Oris’s clasp-extension system designed so that it can be easily adjusted allowing the watch to fit over a wetsuit.

The 41.MM model is also available on a rubber strap featuring Oris’s folding clasp system that protects the watch from falling off the wrist.



Ref. No. 01 733 7732 4155-07 8 21 05PEB has a Swiss MSRP of 2’050CHF and is available, now.

ORIS Aquis Date 41.5MM

Oris has launched two new Aquis models for 2020, one with a new case size of 41.5mm made in answer to customer feedback; and a second with a new OCEANIC BLUE gradient dial that joins the existing collection of 39.5mm models.

Both models are water-resistant to 300 meters and feature unidirectional rotational diver’s bezels, the model shown here with its Sunray Blue dial has a ceramic inlay while the 39.5mm model gets a tungsten inlay.



Both are available on Stainless steel link bracelets featuring Oris’s clasp-extension system designed so that it can be easily adjusted allowing the watch to fit over a wetsuit.

The 41.MM model is also available on a rubber strap featuring Oris’s folding clasp system that protects the watch from falling off the wrist.



Ref. No. 01 733 7766 4135-07 8 22 05PEB has a Swiss MSRP of 2’200CHF and is available, now.

SPINNAKER Piccard

Paying tribute to the legendary Swiss oceanographer, Jacques Piccard, who along with US Naval Lieutenant, Don Walsh descended an astonishing 10’911 meters to the bottom of the Mariana Trench near Guam in the Pacific Ocean – this is the Spinnker Piccard.

On the 23rd of January, 1960 the two men went down in the equally legendary, Italian-built deep-diving research bathyscaphe, Trieste into the Challenger Deep, the deepest point of Mariana Trench.



The Trieste which was designed by Jacques Piccard’s father, Auguste Piccard famously took one more deep diving pioneer along for the ride, a Rolex experimental watch named the Deep Sea Special.

I guess we could say that the Spinnaker Piccard while unique in its design draws inspiration from that watch.



The Piccard has an imposing 47mm in diameter by 25mm-thick case made from Titanium. This is offered in two finishes: one in plain Titanium and a second with a gold IP coating.



The case is equipped with a Helium Escape Valve and a massively domed Sapphire crystal glass. Beneath the Sapphire dome is the dial the design of which was inspired by the Trieste’s instruments.


Powering the Piccard is a Swiss made Sellita SW200 automatic movement. Water-resistance is 1000 meters. MSRP is 950USD.



Thoughts? I had to check the water-resistance several times to make sure that I wasn’t mistaken because given the watch’s ample build I was expecting something a little more extreme perhaps even an extra zero.


It's no CH1 but the design of the watch has plenty of appeal to fans of these sorts of experimental-type dive watches. There are some really nice design elements;

the case design itself, the offset HEV, the dial and the case-back engraving but it hasn’t got the depth rating to back it up, so I am wondering what the point is? What do you think?