TECHNOMARINE BlackReef Ti ULTIMATE

By TLex Introducing the new 'BlackReef Ti Ultimate' from TechnoMarine. An iconoclastic design that combines what would be a decent-looking 500 meter, professional divers watch that boasts a modern, Grade2 Titanium constructed case complete with an HEV and presented on a Milanese mesh, no less -



with an absurdly designed unidirectional rotational (divers) bezel set with 12 diamonds, 18 baguette-cut sapphires, and 24 baguette-cut yellow sapphires that seems to mocks us mere dive watch loving mortals. Perhaps we have been taking our divers a little too seriously?! 

But have TM actually pulled of great looking diver despite deliberately going against the grain with the gemstone set bezel? Well, I did say 'decent-looking', but only in reference to the case, which by all accounts is very nicely crafted with some really cool-details to boot. I love those lateral case dampers and the hooded lugs.



However I'm not convinced by the dial. The wave pattern design looks more like zebra / zebra fish print and the hour markers could have been designed by Phillips, if those aren't light-bulbs, what are they? Perhaps I'm still a little jaded from my first hand experiences with TM, when I INTERVIEWed the then newly appointed CEO, who alluded to a noteworthy divers model that 3.5 years on has yet to transpire! ;)



MOVEMENT Mechanical automatic, ETA 2836 calibre, 38-hour power reserve

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds, day and date

CASE Grade 2 titanium, 45 mm Automatic helium valve at 10 o’clock Unidirectional rotating bezel set with 12 diamonds, 18 baguette-cut sapphires, and 24 baguette-cut yellow sapphires Screw-lock crown with two gaskets Bevelled sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment Water-resistant to 500 m (50 ATM/1650 ft)

DIAL Black stamped with wave motif Brushed luminescent hands Yellow and white luminescent indexes Date and day windows at 3 o’clock

BRACELET /strap Milanese mesh inspired by anti-shark diving suits, with folding clasp