BALL WATCH Engineer Hydrocarbon ORIGINAL

Celebrating 15 years of their most rugged and iconic collection, could this be Ball’s answer to the modern-day Fifty Fathoms?



It certainly has the look and feel of a neo-classic diver but like any Ball timepiece you don’t need to scratch too far beneath the surface before you uncover an innovation or two.



In this instance, one of the Engine Hydrocarbon Original’s neat tricks is a disappearing act – you could say the art of illumination without illumination!



Ball has stealthily hidden what are considered by some (me) as ugly or at best clunky, Tritium Gas Tubes beneath the EH Original’s dial –

giving you all the benefits of their cutting-edge Swiss luminescent technology while retaining the look and feel of a classic diver’s face which they have covered with a domed Sapphire crystal.



In addition to the micro gas tubes integrated underneath the dial, Ball’s famous luminosity can also be found below a tough Sapphire crystal bezel inlay.



With graduated markings that track up to 60 minutes, the unidirectional bezel also features special indentations that allow it to be easily used with bare hands or diving gloves.



As well as its 30 micro gas tubes, special crown protection and water-resistance of up to 200 meters, the 40mm Engineer Hydrocarbon Original –



is anti-magnetic to 80,000 A/m, shock resistance to 7,500Gs and boasts a patented buckle that can withstand 1,400 newtons of force.



Power comes from an automatic caliber BALL RR1102-CSL, a certified chronometer by the COSC – Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.



Inside the movement itself, is Ball’s patented SpringSEAL® system that safeguards the regulator assembly and ensures it does not change position upon impact –



while a patented SpringLOCK® system covers the hairspring and limits the unfurling of the coils in order to prevent twisting upon impact.



The exacting precision is safeguarded further by Ball’s patented Amortiser® anti-shock system that surrounds the movement and absorbs any knocks and bumps from the rigors of an active life.



Thoughts? Besides an extra 2mm, I wish they’d had the balls to leave the day /date off! I have mocked up an unofficial no date variant. What do you think . . . sexy!?

MSRP in the US is approx. 3’100USD.

DELMA Oceanmaster ANTARCTICA

Barely thawed from their LAKE BAIKAL Ice-Diving Expedition with the BLUE SHARK III, Delma or at least one of their timepieces has once again ventured into frigid climes along with brand ambassador and ocean adventurer, Nick Moloney.

Nick had the opportunity to sail to the majestic continent of Antarctica on the occasion of its 200th year since discovery.



When Antarctica’s Princess Martha Coast was first discovered on 27 January 1820, the explorers came face to face with a gargantuan ice-shelf that reached out from the frozen continent.



This year Nick and his team saw a new perspective of this fragile landscape as its impressive coastline constantly evolves.



While the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is one of the most pristine places on Earth, largely unaffected by humans, the nearly 10,000 diverse species that call this unique habitat home are in danger.



The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest warming places on earth. During the team’s expedition, the warmest temperature on the northern tip of Antarctica was recorded, over 20 °C.



In order to give the project even greater significance, and support the future of this captivating place, Delma felt compelled to contribute to the preservation efforts.



They are proud supporters the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) in their mission to protect this great wilderness and the fascinating wildlife that relies on it by donating a portion of the proceeds of each Oceanmaster Antarctica.



Nick was accompanied by his new penguin-friendly, Delma timepieces that was specially developed for his Antarctic expedition.



Based on Delma’s sailing model, the OCEANMASTER and a close relative of the SHELL STAR diver’s watch, the new Oceamaster Antartica is inspired the frozen landscapes of its namesake.



In particular its cool-blue dial with its special finish is inspired by the colors of the ice as it meets the surrounding water while the raised texture represents the unique structure of the frozen landscape.



The choice to create a Limited Edition of 200 pieces was derived from the milestone anniversary which it commemorates.



In addition to the dial the watch has a special case-back with an engraved Stainless steel representation of the continent.

The Oceanmaster Antarctica is equipped with a tactical planner, points of sail indicators and a sturdy nautical bezel which can also be used for diving.



Its 44mm by 13.8mm Stainless steel case is water-resistant to 500 meters and is fitted with an HEV, a screw-down crown with protection and a bracelet with a diver’s safety-clasp.



Power comes from a Swiss made ETA 2824 automatic movement beating at a frequency of 28'800 with 25 jewels and a power-reserve of 38 hours.



The new Delma Oceanmaster Antarctica Limited Edition of 200 pieces has an MSRP of CHF 1290 / €1390 / USD 1450. The watch is available online from Delma.

LeJOUR Hammerhead COLLECTION

One of nature’s most eccentric designs with its distinctive head, flattened and laterally extended into a hammer-shape, known as a cephalofoil; the Hammerhead shark has gone through 20 million years of evolution.



One of LeJOUR’s most classic case designs to date, with its distinctive cushion-shape, finished with a mix of satin brushed and highly polished surfaces; the new Hammerhead draws upon a 40-decades-old aesthetic.



Like its namesake the LeJOUR Hammerhead, has been engineered to patrol the oceans; the 1970s inspired retro diver has a 316L Stainless steel case with 200 meters of water-resistance.



The case while vintage in its style is equipped with all the modern-day accoutrement that you might expect to find on a high-quality diver’s watch.



It comes with a120-click unidirectional, rotational diver’s bezel with a premium quality ceramic insert and luminous dive-time scale.



The case’s dimensions are as follows: a diameter of 42mm (excl. crown) a height of 14mm (incl. crystal and case-back) and a lug-to-lug measurement of 48mm.



A domed Sapphire crystal covers the Hammerhead’s 70s-inspired dial with its generously sized appliqué indices and hands, slightly deepened and filled with Swiss SuperLuminova.



The Sunburst effect dial with its date aperture at 3 o’clock comes in four colors: LJ-HH-001 black, LJ-HH-002 blue, LJ-HH-003 grey, LJ-HH-004 green.



The dial also features a rehaut in white with a 15-min scale in either: red, blue or black depending on which model.



On the reverse side of the case is a 3D engraved hammerhead shark along with the watch’s name “HAMMERHEAD”.



Powering the Hammerhead collection is an ETA 2824 Swiss automatic movement with 25 jewels beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour at 4Hz.



All models from the LeJOUR Hammerhead collection are fitted with a 316L Stainless steel 3-link bracelet with diver’s LeJOUR signed security claps.



The watches of the new Hammerhead collection have an MSRP of 800USD. Follow the link HERE or the one embedded, below for more info. on the LeJOUR Hammerhead.



Thoughts? LeJOUR’s fourth model is my favorite. For starters who doesn’t like hammerheads but that aside they have gone for a classic cushion shape which is always a crowd pleaser.



However it’s the dial design and layout that speaks to me the most. I absolutely love the handset and markers as well as the single line of text.

Of course I would have gone no date it if was up to me but it’s still super sharp. Mine’s green with blue a close second. How about you???

CITIZEN Promaster Diver GMT SUPER TITANIUM

Here’s a quick look at Citizen’s new Super Titanium Promaster Diver GMT along with an obligatory mossy tree shot?

Hmm, can’t be sure what it is tbh (answers on a postcard pls) or what the message they are trying to convey – a dive watch for tree huggers perhaps?



Nevertheless, the Super Titanium Promaster Diver GMT comes equipped with all the features you’d expect from an ISO compliant Citizen diver’s watch.

Constructed form high-tensile, corrosion-resistant Super Ti, the watch is brimming with all the features that you’ll need for next diving or tree climbing adventure:



a dual time, shock and anti-magnetic resistance unidirectional rotational elapsed-timing bezel, a GMT display, a screw-down case-back and crown, an anti-reflective Sapphire crystal glass and a water-resistance to 200 meters.

The watch also feature Citizen’s famous Eco-Drive technology powered by light, sunlight or any other ambient light; eliminating the need for a battery.

Ref. BJ7110-03F has a UK retail price of £399.



STOP WHALING in JAPAN

Le FORBAN Sécurité Mer MALOUINE

With Easter just around the corner, it would seem the perfect time for a resurrection story . . . of different kind.

Right at the end of last year, the French watch brand, Le Forban Sécurité Mer was resurrected some 40 years since the release of its last diver’s model, and 5 decades since its birth in 1969.



Looking at the brand’s chronology, you couldn’t really say they were any sort of iconic diver’s brand as they only released 3 diver’s models over an 8yr period:

their debut model in 1969, a second in 1972 and their final diver’s model in 1978. However there were 20 models bearing the Le Forban Sécurité Mer name since 1969.



These were mainly sold in nautical equipment shops. One of those models, a diver was famous for being one of the rare watches to have equipped the French Navy (just like ZRC’ GF300) as well as the PATMAR (maritime patrols).



Le Forban Sécurité Mer has been thoroughly updated as a completely new version known as the Malouine which takes its name from the French coastal town of Saint-Malo.



The watch which is in 316L Stainless steel has a case diameter of 38.4mm or 39mm with the bezel, a lug to lug length of just 45mm and a thickness of 12.75mm.



Diver’s features include: a 120-click unidirectional bezel with aluminum inlay, a domed Sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown and case-back and 200m of water-resistance.



Power comes from the rather basic, non-hacking, Japanese made Miyota 8215 mechanical automatic movement.



The Le Forban Sécurité Mer Malouine comes on a 20mm, 100% Silicone Tropic –style strap priced 490euro.



Thoughts? This is a handsome looking retro diver with a cool back story. The design offers plenty of old school charm, case-back aside.

This is engraved with the ubiquitous diver’s helmet. We all love a deep sea diver’s helmet but perhaps I would have hoped for a wee bit more originality and imagination.

Still it’s not deal breaker by any means and the spec. is okay. Yes, the size is small but do I recognize that sub 40mm is on trend.



However even if you don’t mind your vintage-inspired, euro diver being Japanese powered, is an 8215 really good enough, today?

What’s wrong with a 9015 or NH35? And is 490euro a realistic price considering? What do you think? Slightly under spec’d and overpriced, no?