Suunto recently introduced an entry level dive computer that they're calling the D4. It's not as complex as either the D9 or the Vyper we covered previously; rather, Suunto describes it as "the introductory model in the Suunto diving line". When you're talking about Suunto, however, even "introductory" means an astounding number of features for both SCUBA divers, and free divers:

• Standard digital watch features like 12/24 hour display, dual time, date, daily alarm, and stopwatch with split time.
• Four modes: time (for when you're not diving), free dive (for diving without a tank), air (for diving with standard air), and nitrox (for diving with different gas mixtures).
• Dive planning and analysis functions. The "no-stop-time planner" can help you plan a dive that requires no decompression stops.
• Sophisticated free dive data measurement including depth sampled at three times per second, maximum depth, surface time, deepest dive of the day, longest dive of the day, and more.
• Data transfer function which allows you to download data from the watch to the Suunto Dive Manager PC desktop software.
• Audible and visual alarms for dive time and depth.
• In dive mode, current depth, maximum depth, current time, dive time, decompression time, and temperature.
• Suunto's "Deep Stop RGBM" algorithm (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model).
• Adjustable for altitude and personal settings.
• Multi-step ascent rate indicator.
• Battery power monitor and warning function so you don't find yourself diving with a dead battery.
• Glass face, metal/composite housing.
• Metric or imperial units for display.
• Bitmapped display capable of showing graphs as well as numbers and text.
• Up to 240-hour profile and logbook memory.

Unlike a lot of dive computers, the D4 looks more like a general outdoors/fitness watch, and would even be very reasonable as a daily wearer. I really like Suunto's use of bitmapped displays; as with the X9i and Lumi, they let you convey a lot of information very clearly, as well as graphs, big numbers, and so forth.

Street price for the Suunto D4 is around $500 USD, and should be available any day now ("early 2008"). You won't find the D4 or other Suunto dive computers in mall watch stores, however. Suunto considers these watches sophisticated dive computers, and only sells them through dive shops and related retail outlets.

We've talked about American watchmaker RGM here before, and Roland Murphy's small company which produces exquisitely made high-end watches. It looks like RGM is now stepping into the very exciting world of professional dive watches with the new and beautiful RGM Model 300.

Features of the RGM Model 300 include:

• Brushed stainless steel case.
• Water resistant to 2,500 feet, or about 750 meters.
• 5mm thick flat sapphire crystal (that's extremely thick).
• Anti-magnetic casing.
• 43.2mm wide, and 15.7mm thick.
• Modified ETA 2892 movement.
• Double gasket screwdown crown, and double gasket caseback.
• Unidirectional ratcheting bezel with black aluminum insert.
• Date.
• Your choice of two different dials: glossy or matte.
• Available with a 22mm strap, or a brushed stainless steel bracelet with dive extension.

The price is $3,500 which is actually pretty good compared to some of its high-end competition like the Rolex Submariner, Sea Dweller, or Omega Planet Ocean. We're big fans of dive watches here at Watch Report, so we're very please to see RGM branching out like this. We'd love to get our hands on one of these and put it up against a Sea Dweller.

If you like your dive watches colorful, distinctive, and rich with history, then we think you'll like Doxa SA. Founded in 1889 in Switzerland, Doxa foundered in the quartz crisis of the 1960s, but was reopened in 1997. Although they make a wide variety of watches, they are best known for their dive watches, and their perennial inclusion in the Dirk Pitt books by author Clive Cussler.

In 1967, Doxa's research led them to use an orange dial for visibility on their Sub 300T model which was unheard of at the time. Water absorbs some colors more than others, and Doxa's work found that orange remained legible to the greatest depths. The orange dial become a symbol of Doxa, and is now an option available on almost all serious dive watches (except the Rolex Sea-Dweller which has stubbornly stuck to black). Doxa also began incorporating an adjustable bezel with a decompression table into the Sub 300T. Resold in the US, it was a tremendous success and was reintroduced in 2002 as a special edition.

Doxa watches have a distinctive "cushion" case (referring to the shape), and since 1973, the crown is located at the 4 o'clock position for comfort (to prevent it from digging into your wrist). This, combined with the unique bezel, bracelets, and eye-catching colors, makes for a watch with great presence. They're very well made, as well, utilizing Swiss ETA movements of impeccable pedigree.

Doxa currently makes four hardcare dive watches:

• Sub 5000T
• Sub 1000T
• Sub 750T (GMT)
• T-Graph Sub 600T (chronograph)

Most of Doxa's dive watches are available in multiple colors which are indicated by the names Professional (orange), Sharkhunter (black), Caribbean (blue), and Divingstar (yellow).

There is plenty more to Doxa's history and innovation (Helium escape valves, Bugatti car dash clocks, 8-day movements, ratcheting dive suit extensions, etc.) which you can find on Doxa's site. The upshot is that if you're a serious diver, or if you just want a unique watch with good legibility and an interesting history, Doxa is a very good place to look.

Additional Resources:

• The Doxa homepage
• Doxa 40th anniversary book
• doxa300t.com
• Doxa entry on Wikipedia

I've very excited to announce the newest addition to Watch Report: The Watch Report Marketplace.

We believe that the Watch Report Marketplace (WRMP) is the easiest and most powerful way for anyone to buy, sell, and trade watches online. Rather than just a sales forum or classifieds, WRMP is custom software written from the ground up to make watch trading simple, efficient, and effective. Members only need to post a watch once, and it stays easily discoverable until they choose to remove it. And WRMP isn't just for selling. Watches can be posted to sell, trade, sell or trade, or you can even make a post about a watch that you're looking to buy.

The emphasis of WRMP is on the extremely powerful search and browse features. Members can easily browse to or search for watches based on brand, watch type, features, movement, materials, and much more. WRMP is designed to help people find the exact watch they're looking for, or to help members discover new watches that meet their specific needs.

If you have anything in your collection that you're ready to let go of, or if there's anything you're specifically looking for, I hope you'll consider posting it on the new Watch Report Marketplace.

Thanks,
Christian Cantrell

We're big fans of Timex watches here at Watch Report. They have a wide variety of styles, functions, and we think Timex represents excellent value. However, we've always wondered why they haven't tried to compete more directly with Casio G-Shocks. G-Shocks have been extremely successful for Casio, and although Timex has a great line of Ironman watches, it seems they've been hesitant to encroach directly on G-Shock territory by adding features like solar power. Until now.

Timex recently introduced several new solar powered watches. You can see the entire Timex Solar lineup on their site, but here's a breakdown:

• Three analog/digital combinations.
• Three shock-resistant digital models.
• Six in the Triathlon series.
• Two reverse LCD displays, which are white on black. (The conventional LCDs all seem to have the new high contrast displays we found in the Timex iControl.)

All the Timex Solar watches have the following in common:

• One-year warranty.
• Indiglo night light with the "FLIX" system (more below).
• Power (charge) indicator.
• Water resistant to either 50 or 100m (165 or 333ft).

Prices range from $80 to $110 USD which, in typical Timex fashion, is very reasonable for what you get. I like that they've added what they're calling FLIX; like Casio, this is a feature that allows you to activate the electroluminescent backlight when its dark just by flicking your wrist. Very clever and useful when you're in dim situations where your hands are full.

So let's see: shock-resistant, automatic backlight, and solar powered. These are all things we've traditionally loved about G-Shocks, and hopefully we'll love them just as much in the new Timex Solar watches.