Dive Time

This summer Reactor will be introducing a new line of Never Dark dive watches, the Poseidon series. There are three versions within the series, two quartz and a self-charging (kinetic) auto-quartz limited edition model (pictured). I have never had a chance to see these watches in-person, however, I have heard many good things, especially that they are very rugged and well built. Here is a link to there page which explains their different technologies.

The limited edition Poseidon will feature an exhibition caseback which shows off the black plated rotor, that charges the quartz movement. I've never heard of a quartz watch with an exhibition caseback, but it definitely sounds cool.

The watch features the Never Dark® dial illumination system that combines bright Superluminova with long-lasting tritium for perfect visibility in under any lighting condition. The case is stainless steel and is depth tested to an impressive 1,000 meters (3,300 ft). It meets or exceeds the ISO 6425 Professional Dive Watch standard. Case diameter is 48 mm by 17 mm thick. It features external and internal rotating bezels, for calculating dive time. The limited-edition version comes with a 2-tone stainless bracelet and a rubber strap, plus tools and extra screw bars to swap bands.

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Victorinox has recently introduced two new timepieces within their Dive Master collection. The Dive Master 500 Chrono and the Dive Master 500 Mecha. The chronograph is powered by a swiss quartz movement and the mechanical is powered by a swiss made ETA 2892-A2. The Dive Master Mecha was introduced last year, but they have added this deep blue version, which consists of a blue dial and strap. Both watches feature the black ice PVD finish that was introduced on last year's model (black ice PVD looks a shade lighter than most PVD).

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U-Boat watches are an ode to professional instruments and instrumentation. In a meeting with Italo Fontana, founder and designer of U-Boat watches, I learned that much of his inspiration comes from extraordinary machines like racing cars, or jet fighters and the instrumentation found inside them. The successful Flightdeck collection and the lesser known Thousands of Feet series are examples of U-Boat watches that spawned from this passion. A second important source of inspiration for Italo's watchmaking career is a concept that his grandfather had proposed to the Italian Navy in 1942. The numerals and left handed configuration of U-Boat watches spurred from these drawings and were originally revived in 2009 by the giant, 65mm, U-1942. The limited edition U-42, unveiled in March 2010, is based on the U-1942 but scaled down to a 53mm size and to a more accessible price range.

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Porsche Design's big introduction this year at Baseworld was the P'6780 Diver. It was designed in cooperation with Eterna, and is based on the Eterna Kon Tiki Diver watch. The case is 46.8mm in diameter and has a water-resistance rating of 1,000 meters. A mechanical self-winding ETA 2892-A2 movement powers this timepiece. The watch housing is made of stainless steel and lifts out of a titanium bridge, on a hinge. This system is designed to prevent accidental crown adjustment or damage. This is essentially a Porsche Design's version of the Kon Tiki diver.

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In celebration of the inaugural edition of "Les Voiles de St Barth" regatta, title sponsor Richard Mille introduces a limited edition titanium dive watch, the RM 028 Les Voiles de St Barth. This 100-piece special edition pays tribute to the international yacht race that takes place in the Caribbean waters surrounding St Barth from April 6thto 11th, 2010.

With the introduction of the RM 028 in 2009, Richard Mille combined the exceptional case and skeletonized movement that has become the hallmark of all Richard Mille watches, with the specific timepiece features required of divers and sailors alike.

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Introduced at Baselworld 2010 last week, this is the new Rolex Submariner Date with a green Ceramic (Cerachron bezel). The bezel is made from extremely hard ceramic material, it is corrosion resistant, its color is unaffected by ultraviolet rays and it is virtually scratch-proof.

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Oris will be launching this cool new military inspired and tested watch at Baselworld 2010. Not sure why it is so big, but it does look pretty rugged. And it is made of titanium, so at least it is fairly light.

The Col Moschin Italian Special Forces tested a vital tool on their challenging training missions: the Col Moschin Limited Edition from Oris. These elite troops wore this new instrument, with its ProDiver base, on their parachute jumps from 9,000 metres and their dives to 40 metres. And when tested on marches and missions in hostile territory, it successfully met every challenge. Anti-magnetic properties guarantee precision in the air, while water-resistance is ensured down to 1,000 metres. The patented "Rotation Safety System" provides an additional element of security under water, while the titanium case with its tungsten ring provides total resistance in all circumstances.

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