UPCOMING REVIEW: Linde Werdelin The One

I have always been curioous about this impressive brand. Now I will finally get to review their popular diver!

STAY TUNED!!!

Linde Werdelin

NEW REVIEW - Tawatec E.O.Diver

I fell in love with tritium vile watches a number of years ago, when I was introduced to contemporary Ball watches. Since this introduction, I have owned at least a dozen Ball watches, but none of these watches have been true “beaters”. By beater, I mean a watch you can wear through anything! Think G-shock! I would be devastated if my beloved SpaceMaster ever got trashed while mountain biking or by playing street hockey.

While I do have a couple of pretty cool G-Shocks, including the latest iteration of the Frogman, they are not always suitable for all occasions. So I started hunting for the perfect grab and go watch. A watch I would not worry about getting banged up. A watch I can set and forget. A watch that will also look cool and screams let’s see what you got!.

At that time one of my coworkers, who wears a Suunto on a daily basis ordered a Luminox off the internet. I thought it looked kind of interesting, but I just could not get behind all the overhyped “Navy Seal” mumbo-jumbo they sell on their website. That is until I saw it in person. Impressive piece! The resin case and blacked out dial really worked on his watch!

I still had a hard time digesting their marketing, so I started digging for alternatives. I came across Traser and Nite, but they just did not tug at my heart strings enough to pull the trigger. Then I stumbled onto Tawatec. Their watches looked tougher than nails and unlike Luminox, they did not advertise about their relationship with the military, they just looked like the military should be wearing them.  You know how some guys walk around with their shoulders puffed out and act tough, while you know they really are not? And some other guys, without trying, just look like they can take care of themselves should anything happen. Tawatec was the latter kind of watch.

For under 300$ I could not pass it up. I took the plunge and contacted Jack at Tuffwriter.com and within a week, the Tawatec E.O.Diver had become my go to watch when the going gets tough. The following is my review of this watch.

To read the full review, follow this link:

 Tawatec REVIEW

My Ball Aviator GMT is finally fixed!

About 6 months ago I accidentally dropped my Ball Aviator on its crown and when I picked it up, the minute had was free from its stem. I was so upset with myself. Now I was pretty certain Ball could repair this problem, but the thought of shipping my beloved GMT to the U.S. and getting hit by customs on the way back just turned my stomach.

For half a year it sat in my watch box, that is until today. Since I had a day off and nothing planned, I decided to try a new watchmaker. Unfortunately, when I got there, they were closed! So I pulled out my smartphone and let my fingers do the talking. I found another watchmaker, but he was all the way across town.

I got a little lost on my way there and did not really know what to expect, but am I ever glad I went! Not only was he professional, he actually let me watch over his shoulder! I must say, the movement was exceptionally well finished and within 10 minutes, he was all done. AWESOME, but wait, this is not the best part.... he only charged me 5$ !!!!!!!!!!!!

When I got home I swapped the OEM leather for my ISOfrane and I am super happy!

Should you need a watchmaker in the Montreal area, I highly recommend him. Here are his details:

HAPPY DAY INDEED!!!

Tempest Prototype

This is the NEW Viking watch, which we was sneak peaked on T2W several months ago. A full prototype has been created. For more details follow the limk:

Tempest watch

NEW - 4000m Hublot Diver

If you are going to launch a new 4000m diver, this is how to do it!

Jorge's post on TZ



NEW - Sea God

Oh boy, another new brand introduced by Jorge on TZ:

Of course, this is the only model that appeals to me... somewhat...

Jorge's original post

NEW - Maldives Diver

I have always loved Oris. here is their latest diver. By Jorge Marino, of course, follow the link for more details:

Jorge post on TZ

NEW - Crux Cx-1 REVIEW / STORY

I am trying something new. It seems everyone and their uncles are reviewing watches these days and new cameras are making fantastic pictures easier and easier to attain. So what could I do to set Time2watch.net apart from the others?

Why not take the reader through the experience of owning the subject watch? Not just describing and offering up opinions on a watch, but actually making them feel as if they were wearing the watch themselves? I know this sounds strange and this is a departure for me, but I had a lot of fun writing this story. Hopefully you will enjoy reading it.

Please let me know what you think! (leave feedback) If positive, I have many other ideas on how I can take this new approach even further. Maybe even developing recurring characters and writing adventure stories... we shall see...

Sam's Day with his CRUX CX-1

Halios Laguna FINALLY available!

Hi Guys,

I am going to be brutally honest here for a moment. I am starting to get sick of seeing run after run of the same boutique "cases", rebranded company after company. Halios is NOT like the others. They seem to beat to the sound of their own drum. I am very proud of their achievements to date and in my opnion, the Laguna is their next homerun! Check it out:

I especially like that new gray bezel. Keep it up Halios and guys, get 'em while their hot!

Halios

NEW - ONLY WATCH - L.V. Tambour Diver Chrono

Have been away for a while. Time to catch up!

Dang nabbit, is it wrong to like this one...?

From Jorge on TZ:

Louis Vitton on TZ

NEW - Ennebi Fondale Vintage Base (Ref. 9691)

Movement: Swiss made ETA6497 mechanical handwind movement
Dial: Engraved black dial with vintage luminous. Black hands
Case: AISI 316L Stainless steel
Case Back: AISI 316LStainless steel. Fastened by 6 special screws
Bezel: AISI 316L stainless steel. Non-rotating
Bezel Pointer: 750kt gold handcrafted Deepsea diver helmut index
Crown: Stainless steel thick "pancetta" crown
Lug: 24mm
Crystal: Domed organic crystal
Strap: 2 X Ennebi sign Italian made leather strap with Ennebi roller buckle. Black and tan
Water resistance: 3,000 feet / 1,000 meters
Dimensions: 50mm in diameter excluding crown, 18mm thick
Power Reserve: ~44 hours
Warranty: Guaranteed 2 year

Ennebi has introduced the Vintage Collection. Each model is strictly limited to only 33 pieces. Ennebi has used the latest engineering techniques to combine the authenticity of vintage timepieces with the legibility principles of a diving instrument, all in a single wristwatch.

The Ennebi Fondale's history can be traced back to the 1980s. In 1985, Alessandro Bettarini created a few prototyped professional diver and presented it to the attack divers of the Italian navy for evaluation.

Among the 2 prototypes developed, the Fondale as we see here was born. Although the Fondale performed remarkably well, meeting and exceeding every requirement by the Italian Navy, the Fondale was never produced due to insufficient order.

Almost 25 years down the road, the man from the original team of Pre-Vendome engineers who engineered the 2 prototypes, Alessandro Bettarini, set up Ennebi and brought the Fondale back to life. The Fondale Vintage is powered by a Swiss Made ETA6497 mechanical movement.

The utilitarian dial ensures time reading is optimal under any conditions. The big indices and hands are a must for diving expeditions. Unique black dial is handmade making each and every dial different. Each index and numbers are first engraved and then filled with vintaged luminous for optimal glow. Buying an Ennebi Fondale with an engraved dial is akin to buying a piece of art. They might not be perfect at times. But it adds to the overall charisma and uniqueness of the watch. A charm that no other watch can match.

On the bezel of each Fondale Vintage is a handcrafted 750kt gold index resembling a deep sea diver helmet. The massive 50mm micro-peened 316L stainless steel case is bead blasted throughout. A domed organic crystal tops it. All of these are engineered for 1000meters water resistance.

The stainless steel case back is engraved with the limited edition number “xx/33” and is secured by 6 special screws. The handmade leather straps are fixed onto the case with extra thick screw-in lug bars. Over engineered is the only way to describe the Ennebi Fondale Vintage.

Gnomon Price: US$ 3300

Ennebi @ Gnomon

NEW - Graham Chronofigh​ter Oversize Diver

Ref. 2OVEB.B40A  

Functions

Date at 7 o'clock.

Helium escape valve

Hours, minutes, seconds

 

Calibre

Calibre G1734,

Chronograph (seconds, 30 minutes counter)
automatic bi-compax chronograph,

28'800 A/h (4 hz),

Incabloc shock absorber

27 jewels

Power reserve: 48 hours

Case

47 mm steel with black PVD case 

Steel with black PVD left hand fast-action start/stop trigger

and reset pusher with "Clous de Paris" high grip pattern

Steel with black PVD bezel,

rotating rim to measure decompression time

Domed sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on both faces

Steel with black PVD case back with Royal Marine crown-symbol

Water resistance

1000 feet / 330 m

Dial

Black nickel hands and indexes with black Super-LumiNova,

black chrono and minutes counter's hands with orange tip

Black dial and counters

Strap

Ceramic pin buckle

Integrated black rubber

Price

10'500 CHF

 

Graham

Ball Master II Diver goes 800m down and LIVES!

Ball Watch Engineer Master Diver under the Ross Ice Shelf from Richard Limeburner on Vimeo.

Ariel gets his hands on the 3000m Ball Prototype!

WOW! This watch fascinates me to no end.

Ariel, you lucky bugger! I am thoroughly envious.... NICELY DONE!!!

Read on here:

Ariel's hands-on 3000m experience 

NEW - Dievas Vortex Professional

It has been 2 years since the introduction of the 1st Dievas Vortex. Within the period, the watch has successfully cemented a permanent role in various watch collections as a robust, unique, hassle free, mission watch amongst horology enthusiasts and subsequently captured the true integral manufacturing essence of the company. At Dievas, we commit ourselves to progressive watchmaking by improvisation of an already exceptional timepiece, enhancing its composition and elevating its adaptability for specific roles. Closely following the 'form follows function' theme, the all new Vortex Professional is precision matte black finished watch, increased legibility and always dependable. Knowing the limited target audience such a non-conformist black watch will receive, we build it specially to cater to the taste and needs of serving operators and military connoisseurs. 

Movement Caliber: Dievas/ETA 2824-2 automatic Functions: hours, minutes and seconds Size: 11 1/2" Jewels: 25 Power Reserve: 42 hours Hz: 4/28'800 vibrations per hour Finish: Rhodium plated with Incabloc anti-shock. Dievas DLC Rotor.

Case, Dial & Hands Material: titanium Diameter: 44mm without crown Height: 14mm Finish: scratch resistant Plasma treatment Waterproof: 50 atm/ 500m Back: screwed with engraving Crystal: sapphire with anti reflective coating Dial: off-white with Full SuperLuminova Hands: matte black Crown: screw-in crown

Leather strap Material: waterproof calf Colours: black with black stitching Black with red stitching Width: 22mm lugs. 22mm buckle Buckle: black tang buckle

Dievas

NEW - Corum Admiral's Cup 46 Chrono Dive

Corum’s extreme sports range introduces a new model and a new function with the Admiral's Cup Chrono 46 Dive. Although slightly smaller, it features the same clean lines and strong design as its predecessors. Its highly recognizable 12-sided case is made of grade 5 titanium and water-resistant to 300 meters. The dial in subtle shades of gray is encircled by an inner flange bearing the 12 nautical pennants that are the signature of the brand.

Movement Automatic, CO753 calibre, COSC-certified, 28,800 vib/h, 27 jewels, 48-hour power reserve Functions Hours, minutes, small seconds, date and chronograph Case Grade 5 titanium, 46 mm Unidirectional rotating bezel 12-sided, cambered, anti-reflective sapphire crystal Screw-down titanium back Water-resistant to 300 m / 30 ATM Dial Black Hour, minute and small seconds counters at 6, 3 and 9 o’clock respectively Luminescent hourmarkers, hands and chevrons Date window at 6 o’clock Bracelet/Strap Black vulcanised rubber with titanium buckle

Corum

NEW - Breitling Chronomat GMT

The Chronomat GMT from Breitling grants every traveller's wish: to know in an instant the time and date of his place of arrival as well as the time at home, over a 24-hour period and to the exact minute. Equipped with Breitling's new in-house 04 movement, this travellers' instrument has two perfectly synchronised central hour hands. The first, which is associated with the minute hand, moves over a 12-hour dial. The second, with its red triangular tip, moves around a 24-hour scale. Boasting an exclusive design and a dial with subtle three-dimensional effects, the Chronomat GMT will be the new benchmark for all those who want top performance, no matter where they are in the world. And never has a watch been so easy to use!

Movement Automatic, Breitling 04 calibre, COSC-certified, 28,800 vib/h, 47 jewels, power reserve in excess of 70 hours Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour second time zone, ¼ second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers, tachometer Case Stainless steel, 47 mm Ratcheted unidirectional rotating bezel Double-sided anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal Water-resistant to 500 m / 50 ATM Dial Onyx black, Metallica or Blackeye blue, Blackeye grey, Sierra silver or Metallica brown Superluminova hour and minute hands and hourmarkers Tachometer scale on flange Bracelet/Strap Barenia leather, crocodile, rubber Ocean Racer, rubber Diver Pro or steel Pilot

Breitling

NEW - Hublot 4000m Diver!

WOW! I normally do not post links to other blogs for news on dive watches, but this one is quite....eh.... well.... special...

Have a look for yourself:

Hublot King Power on Perpetuelle

NEW - Ball Watch Prototypes from Basel 2011

My favorite is this mono-block 3000m diver! Though, the hands are a tad too short for me... Maybe they will adjust them when the are serially produced....?

CHECK THEM OUT:

Ball Prototypes on WUS

NEW - Ball Hydrocarbon Ceramic XV

From Baselworld 2011, BALL Watch Company is proud to unveil to all its facebook fans the Engineer Hydrocarbon Ceramic XV, an astonishing timepiece that displays a perfect calibration of time within an environment that blends esthetic design and sophisticated technology. 

BALL latest timepiece is designed to master extreme situations of any kind. Rugged and reliable, the new EH Ceramic XV is a merge of power, innovation, aesthetic elegance and shows the continuous developments BALL Watch Company carries out in materials, functions and design. 

To start, on the dial finely honed, details show the complexity of workmanship that has gone into every element of this timepiece. The grooved hour track is complemented by elegantly faceted steel hour markers and a “réhaut” displays the minutes. First worldwide and under BALL patent, the metallic Arabic and hour indexes are completed with the 3H Swiss technology. BALL self powered micro gas tubes give an outstanding legibility, even in the absolute darkness. Each of the 31 gas tubes have been manually set by expert hands. 

With his ergonomically redesigned case of 42mm for a slimmer height of 13.25mm, the Engineer Hydrocarbon Ceramic XV now provides improved supreme comfort of wearing. The combination of polished and brushed stainless steel gives to the watch, in all its understated beauty, a very elegant touch. 

Also new for BALL Watch, the extremely hard pure ceramic unidirectional bezel which gives to this model exceptional anti-corrosive properties. The black-chrome ceramic remains unaffected by ultraviolet rays and is virtually scratchproof. The result is a new level of quality appearance and durability for the bezel. Further, and again first worldwide on a ceramic bezel, the graduation from 0 to 14, along with the digits 15, 30 and 45, have all a powerful luminescent paint treatment emitting a blue glow. 

The crowning technical touch in this watch is its chronometer-certified ETA 2892 movement, with date calendar, delivering extreme precision. The watch is water-resistant up to 333 meters, shock resistant and even magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m leave the mechanism unmoved. 

As final tribute, the case back features an engraved representation of Jim Whittaker, first American to summit Mount Everest. This model has as well inherited the number “XV”, from the first name the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India gave to the Everest in 1856 , then known as Peak XV.

Ball Watch Co.

NEW - Ball Magnate Chronograph

Elegant, Reliable and Functional: The new Engineer Hydrocarbon Magnate Chronograph

The latest evolution of the Engineer Hydrocarbon Magnate rises to a considerable new challenge that combines powerful and dynamic styling with its most distinguished expression. Tough and attractive by equal measure, the new Magnate Chronograph is designed and equipped to meet all the exacting demands of modern-day life.

Elegant and sportive, the Magnate Chronograph’s charm is manifested in its fine details – the 40 mm case, crafted from stainless steel, shows off a brushed finish that contrast pleasingly harmonious with the highly polished bezel and edge bevels. The satin dial, too, contributes to this impression and is a model of clarity. The inner magnifying glass covering the date window at the 12 o’clock position makes date reading as easy as it should be.

The Magnate Chronograph follows the designs of early chronographs with separate start/stop, reset buttons and two sub-dials, rather than the more contemporary three. The two sub-dials are used to represent continuous seconds at the three o’clock position and a 45 minutes counter at the nine o’clock position which is used in conjunction with the main second hand for the chronograph function.

BALL Watch gathers engineers experts with know-how to achieve a single objective: to create a utilitarian watch designed for people who demand optimal reliability. The Magnate Chronograph is powered by the BALL 2050 movement (ETA base movement), a self-winding movement with a chronograph module, and date display. BALL 2050 movement has earned an official chronometer certificate from the “Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC)”. This thorough 15-day test subjects each movement to various positions and temperatures, with a certain range of performance expected. The passage of these tests is proudly confirmed by the inscription “Chronometer” on the dial of the Magnate Chronograph.

The Magnate Chronograph engraved bezel can be used as a tachymeter to calculate speed by measuring elapsed time over a predetermined distance. The Magnate Chronograph is therefore a perfect instrument for measuring speed up to 400 units per hour whether expressed in kilometers or miles.

Loyal to its easy night reading function, BALL Watch has equipped the Magnate Chronograph with the 3H Swiss technology. Fourteen BALL micro gas tubes give this timepiece an outstanding reliability, even in the absolute darkness. The Magnate Chronograph is water-resistant up to 100 meters, shock resistant and anti-magnetic. The watch is mounted on a stainless steel strap with the triple folding clasp patented by BALL Watch Company or on a optional rubber strap. The dial is declined in three colors either black, white or blue.

All this makes the new Magnate Chronograph a very balanced timepiece with cutting-edge technology, maximum precision and a vibrant sporting character.

Ball on FaceBook

NEW - Ocean7 LM-3

Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. March 28, 2011: The OCEAN7 Watch Company’s new LM-3 instantly brings to mind dive watches of the classic 1960-70’s era:  it’s equal parts Dr. No, Sea Hunt and The Deep.  Except that the LM-3 is newly manufactured to exacting standards and priced well below the thousands that an original classic now commands.  The LM-3 is designed in the United States and hand made in Switzerland, maintaining the tradition of rugged excellence that came to characterize watches of that era.

“Every element of the LM-3 evokes the quintessential dive watch.  It has a 42mm stainless steel case, Swiss Super-Luminova hands and markers, and a bold dial and bezel treatment that echoes the utility of the past,” says Mitch Feig, of OCEAN7 Watch Company.  Renowned master diver Jimmy Sommer is the advertising spokesperson for this watch.

The LM-3 joins OCEAN7’s extensive lineup of limited edition Swiss handmade watches, designed for the professional diving community and collectors.  The LM-3 is rated to 125 atmospheres and has a flat sapphire crystal and Swiss automatic movement.  The LM-3 is being released at an introductory price of $699 and is available directly from the manufacturer.

OCEAN7’s LM dive watch collection includes the LM-1 (with a cold carbon hardened case), LM-2 titanium (available with a GMT function), original LM-3(rated to 3300 feet), LM-4 (ceramic case), LM-6 (rated to 1650 feet) and the LM-7 PloProf (rated to 3300 feet).  Prices range from $449 -999 (and up depending on configurations) and all models are Swiss made.

OCEAN7 Watch Company: OCEAN7 produces unique, timepieces for professionals who demand a high degree of performance, features and accuracy from the watches they count on to do their jobs. OCEAN7 products are designed in the United States and hand made in Switzerland of the highest quality materials and components available. OCEAN7 watches are available directly from the manufacturer. OCEAN7: when average won’t do.

Ocean7

NEW - Zenith Dive Chrono

Do not know much about it, but it sure looks promising!

Found these on the TZ Zenith Forum here:

Z in the City

NEW - Tempest Viking - PROTOTYPE

The following is the initial Prototype of the very 1st Tempest Dive Watch:

DETAILS:

Dimensions: Diameter 45mm, Lug width 22mm, Height 18mm

Movement: Top Grade ETA 2824-2 

Case: Brushed SS (316L), thick AM soft-iron inner case, double O-ring design, HEV @ 9

Crystal: Extra thick domed Sapphire, AR underneath

Bezel: 120 click, ceramic with Lum

Bracelet: Heavy 316L brushed stainless steel, Hex screw links

Ratings: Anti-Magnetic 80,000 a/m, WR 2000m (tested)

SWISS MADE

Updates will be posted on the Tempest Facebook page: www.facebook.com/tempestwatches

Looking VERY promising Ben, keep up the good work!!!

NEW - Revue Thommen XLarge Airspeed Chrono

For a minute I thought I was looking at the Breitling Skyland BlackSteel Edition:

Easy to see where RT got their inspiration...

For all the details, follow the link to Jorge's post on TZ:

New RT on TZ

NEW - Fortis B47 Big Black

The Swiss watch manufacturer FORTIS focuses its brand image already on its upcoming 100th anniversary in 2012 using a fantasy motif created by the Scandinavian photography artist, Tomas Monka. Inspired by space exploration a subject which is familiar to FORTIS as the official supplier to aviation and space during the last 20 years, the anniversary theme “moonwalk” is sophisticated and an imaginative vision of the FORTIS watch brand philosophy.

Creativity and professionalism are the driving forces for this year’s FORTIS new releases in Basel. Focusing on powerful models, the new FORTIS B-47 BIG BLACK is a black monster. 

Limited edition of 250 pieces, big date indication at position 3 and big day indication at 9, packaging leather box, instruction manual, international warranty card, certificate of limitation. Steel black PVD, three-parts, 47 mm case diameter Black turning bezel with 60-minute scale Unidirectional (120 divisions), Superluminova capsule at 12, flange with hour-indexes, sapphire crystal anti-reflective on both sides, screw-down glass case back, individually numbered, water-resistant 200 m / 20 bar.

Fortis