Following in the success of the Megalodon 4, Benarus has announced their newest model, the Sea Snake. Benarus seems to have a knack for developing distinct and rather original designs, and the new Sea Snake is no exception. Featuring a 44 x 14 mm stainless steel case with a lug to lug length of only 50mm, the Sea Snake should be completely at home on most wrists and, given its 42 mm bezel, it will likely wear a bit smaller than its 44 mm case size would suggest. This new Benarus three-hander is powered by the reliably ubiquitous ETA 2824-2 and employs a domed sapphire crystal, wide-set 24 mm lugs and a lumed bezel scale to round out its spec sheet.
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After being very much impressed by the Helson Shark Diver 42mm, we were curious to see what Helson would release next. Regardless of our estimations, the new Buccaneer 47mm would have been hard to predict. The original Helson Buccaneer was a 45mm GMT diver with an external bezel and a stainless steel case and was one of the early stars of the Helson brand. This new Buccaneer 47mm has almost nothing in common with the original, instead featuring titanium construction, an internal bezel and a massive 47mm case. This new Buccaneer is a distinct and rather original design from Helson, and we were quite excited to see it in person and try it for ourselves. Boasting an unusual case design but displaying all of the traits of a capable sport diver, the Buccaneer 47mm is definitely worth considering if your taste in divers strays towards the extra large persuasion.
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Seasoned Watch Report readers will know OCEAN7 very well. Over the past few years WR has reviewed a half dozen watches produced by the Florida-based brand and we have always been impressed by the quality, design and value that OCEAN7 presents with with each model. Today’s review focuses on a new version of OCEAN7’s dress diver, the LM-5. This new model incorporates a practical and watch-nerd-approved GMT complication into the already lovely design of the LM-5 diver. With a laundry list of features, a rock-solid Swiss movement and a versatile wrist-friendly design, the OCEAN7 LM-5 GMT appears to cover the most important bases for a dress diver and still manage to set its self apart from the base LM-5 in more ways than simply having a fourth hand.
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Basel 2012 officially opens today but we are already getting some exciting announcements from the show floor. Yesterday, Tudor (sibling brand of Rolex) announced the new Pelagos and Heritage Black Bay divers. The titanium-cased Pelagos looks amazing as it features a snow-flake hour hand (a nod to Tudor’s past), is completely satin finished (Rolex got all the bling in this family) and the Pelagos shows its Submariner roots without simply being an ETA powered Rolex clone. The Heritage Black Bay is a continuation of the successful Heritage line which Tudor launched in 2010. This new 41 mm diver is a modern look at a nearly fifty year old design from Rolex and Tudor. Both of these divers offer a glimpse into two different sides of Tudor, a company that has the unfavorable position of having to continually prove its relevance and find its groove while often seeing much of the spotlight go to Rolex.
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I don’t generally care for large watches. Much over 44 mm and I usually don’t even pay attention, which is why I largely ignored the first three iterations of the Benarus Megalodon. Regardless of my general indifference, the Megalodon has been soldiering on as a very successful, low production model aimed at buyers who are interested in a large watch which packs considerable wrist-presence without costing too dearly. Now in its fourth generation, the Megalodon 4 is the product of careful evolution, adding polish to its proven formula of offering a large case, distinctive prehistoric styling and as much luminous paint as can be applied to any single watch. Given the previous success of this line and some general curiosity as to how well a watch this large can actually wear, we were happy to experience a Megalodon first hand when Benarus offered one for review.
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Earlier this week, Linde Werdelin announced a new and limited edition piece as a novelty for Basel World 2012. This new model, called the Oktopus II Double Date, is an expansion of the current Oktopus range which predictably integrates a grande date (or “big calendar”) complication into the layered and laser-cut dial design we expect from LW. The Oktopus II Double Date comes in three versions, each of which will be limited to 88 pieces and span options which mix conventional titanium and ceramic, DLC titanium and ceramic, and titanium and with rose gold. The Oktopus II’s five piece case measures 44 x 15.25 mm with a lug to lug of 46mm so it is large but not without purpose and the short lug to lug should make for a comfortable shape for almost any wrist. The Double Date boasts 300m water resistance, a sapphire crystal and the calibre 14580 movement which was made in a partnership between Linde Werdelin and Dubois Depraz. This movement supports its Double Date feature, seen at 12 o’clock, which is managed by two laser-cut discs and viewable via an opening in the dial.
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Allow us introduce you to the newest model from Helson Watches, the Buccaneer 47mm. This new piece from Helson boasts a 47mm titanium cushion case, an internal crown-operated bezel, and a beautifully integrated domed sapphire crystal. This new Buccaneer is quite a departure from the original Buccaneer‘s design but the new 47mm model does retain much of the original’s military-inspired dial design and styling, which does well with this new edition. Click through for more info and additional photos:
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German dive watch manufacturer UTS has announced availability of their new deep divers watch simply called the 4,000M. Available in three-hand or GMT versions, this 45 x 17.5 mm stainless steel watch will be best paired with a large wrist. The 4,000M (13,123 ft) water resistance rating has been achieved by using a 6mm thick sapphire crystal which, for reference, is half as thick as the entirety of my Omega Seamaster. Making it to 4,000M is not a lazy man’s game, for those keeping score that is 100m further than the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea and this new UTS matches the water resistance of the ludicrous 48mm Hublot King Power Diver.
The three-hand UTS 4,000M is powered by the ETA 2824-2 while the GMT version sources its skills from the ETA 2893-2. The large stainless steel bezel is actually bi-directional and uses ceramic ball bearings for smooth and accurate action. The crown at two o’clock activates a locking system to keep the bezel safely set in place. Pricing is set at €4500 ($6000 USD) for the three-hander while the GMT will list at €5000 (~ $6650 USD). While this pricing is rather expensive given the 4,000M’s use of ETA movements, it is noticeably cheaper than the $10, 650 list price for the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea (116660) or the $19,900 Hublot is asking for the titanium King Power Diver.
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The watch industry, and the bulk of the design within its scope, is controlled by trends. We see adverts and celebrities sporting the latest in ceramic, vintage, over-sized, liquid-filled, tourbillon equipped, slim cased watches but that “next big thing” is often not so new. It is often then that when we see a new model we use other models or established trends to frame this newcomer and understand it in a more comfortable context. When I first saw the Schofield Signalman GMT PR I had to reach for a familiar concept, eventually thanks to its large crown, sparse dial design and polished finish, my brain settled on the Panerai form. The Panerai Luminor 321, for example, has a power reserve and a GMT hand, a sparse dial, high contrast design and plenty of polished metal on its case. It seemed reasonable to compare this British designed, German built, and Swiss powered timepiece with the well known and easily digestible Panerai, right? Upon receiving the review unit from Giles at Schofield and lifting the Signalman GMT PR from its case, I realized the inaccuracy of my assumption. The Signalman does not feel, or impress, like any Panerai I’ve ever experienced and I found myself wearing a watch which felt completely unfamiliar.
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Archimede Watches is a small German brand which has been producing mechanical sport watches since 2003. Archmiede is part of the German company Ickler which also produces Limes Watches, Autran & Viala, and Defacto. In 1924, Karl Ickler founded this case manufacturing business in Pforzheim (Germany) and, after being relaunched by his sons in 1947, Ickler has been manufacturing cases ever since. This interesting company is still controlled by the Ickler family, now three generations older, with one Thomas Ickler currently managing operations.
Being a house brand for a case manufacturer is a good recipe for quality and individuality as it means Archimede watches are not fitted with catalog cases but rather custom designed options that can be made without relying on external manufacturers. Archimede has a loyal following in the watch enthusiast community thanks to many strong designs, competitive pricing, and a wide range of options.
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Following in the success of the Megalodon 4, Benarus has announced their newest model, the Sea Snake. Benarus seems to have a knack for developing distinct and rather original designs, and the new Sea Snake is no exception. Featuring a 44 x 14 mm stainless steel case with a lug to lug length of only 50mm, the Sea Snake should be completely at home on most wrists and, given its 42 mm bezel, it will likely wear a bit smaller than its 44 mm case size would suggest. This new Benarus three-hander is powered by the reliably ubiquitous ETA 2824-2 and employs a domed sapphire crystal, wide-set 24 mm lugs and a lumed bezel scale to round out its spec sheet.
