We have long spoken of our love for simple and easy to read dive watches. In fact, many dive watches have built a cult following by offering a no-nonsense approach to accuracy and legibility. Perhaps most famously, watches like the Panerai Luminor, Rolex Sea-Dweller, and even brands like Marathon have developed their tool divers into an entire brand image.

I have always liked Panerai divers but the entry cost is very high and one could easily purchase an entire collection of great watches for the cost of a new Luminor. Nevertheless, the style is timeless and has endured, remaining largely unchanged since the 1930's. That simple dial and wide case is distinct, and it represents one of the most beautiful (and copied) dive watch designs seen in modern timepieces. For the past couple of years, I have been searching for a watch that shared that similar ethos, but did so in a unique and distinctive way.

This search led to Benarus; a small indie brand based out of Germany. I first came across Benarus while reading a forum post about their very popular Sea Devil model, and upon checking their site, I found the Moray -- an italian styled classic dive watch. Much of Benarus's lineup is available in limited quantities, and this was the case with the black dialed Moray (limited to 50 pieces). I had to go to the second hand market to find one, and after a couple months of patience I came across, a well priced example. Now that it is on-wrist, here are the details:

• 44mm stainless steel case.
• 500m water resistance (about 1,600 feet).
• 24mm lugs.
• 120-click unidirectional dive bezel.
• Miyota 8215 automatic movement.
• Domed sapphire crystal with internal AR coating.
• Solid end link bracelet with screwed links and lugs.
• Date window between the 4 and 5 positions.
• C3 Superluminova on dial and hands.
• Limited to 50 pieces per dial color.