The new Davoa Apnea Diver Automatic is the world's only dedicated dive watch, designed specifically for free-divers.
There have been one or two in the past, such as the Omega Seamaster Apnea and the Sector Apnea Umberto Pellizzari Chronograph - but those model are more than a decade old now and currently deceased.
Davosa ambassador and free-diving multiple world-record holder Nik Linder was deeply involved in designing the Apnea Diver Auto which boasts a specialist color-coded scale on its dial, designed for respiratory training:
In BLUE - five seconds deep breath which is then held for 15 seconds in WHITE and the final ten seconds in RED where air is exhaled.
In order to accurately read these valuable seconds, the second hand in this instance is far larger and more prominent than usual. It is further distinguished by its long red tip.
The Apnea Diver has a generous, 46mm multi-functional Stainless steel case with a retractable ring that allows the free-diver to stand the watch up by the side of the pool in order to comfortably perform breathing exercises without having to wear the watch on their wrist.
This stand can be unscrewed using the crown at three o'clock. The Apnea Diver Auto is powered by an automatic Sellita SW 200 caliber which is protected by an up to 20 bar pressure-resistant inner Stainless steel housing.
The Apnea Diver comes in three versions: two brushed steel, one with a steel bezel, one with a black bezel and an all-black PVD version as worn by Nik in the photo, below.
Each version is available with either a black or blue or red rubber divers strap.
The first 200 pieces of the Apnea Diver Automatic will be available from mid-November from selected retailers.
The Steel version should be around 998 euros or with a black coated bezel and crown for 1048 euros or completely in black for 1098 euros.
I must admit I’m absolutely smitten with the new Diver Apnea – it great to finally see a dedicated free-diving watch.
Considering the number dive watch brand ambassadors that have been free-divers rather than scuba divers, I would have thought it would make sense that more free-diving watches were produced.
Here are a few watch brand ambassadors free divers, past and present:
BALL Watch Co. Guillaume Néry
BLANCPAIN Gianluca Genoni
BREITLING Herbert Nitsch
DAVOSA Nik Linder
EDOX Christian Redl
JAEGER LeCOULTRE Patrick Musimu RIP
MAURIC LECROIX Séb Murat
ORIS Carlos Coste and Anna von Boetticher
TUDOR Morgan Bourc’his
SECTOR Umberto Pellizzari
SUUNTO & William Trubridge
VOSTOK Europe ADA Free-Diving World Championship
ZRC Stéphane Tourreau
Like DAVOSA? Read my in-depth review of the ARGONAUTIC Automatic Gumetal
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