Rolex's second announcement this year at BaselWorld 2010 was a redesigned Explorer. I've always loved the Explorer for its unparalleled simplicity and stark elegance, but at only 36 millimeters, it was a tad bit diminutive by today's standards. Not anymore. The size of the new Explorer is much more in line with modern expectations.

Below is a list of everything that's new in the new Rolex Explorer:

• 39 millimeters rather than 36. That's only one millimeter smaller than their other tool watches (like the new Rolex Submariner Date).
• The movement now uses the new Parachrom Blue hairspring which we discussed previously in the context of the Rolex Milgauss.
• The now-standard signed chapter ring   not my favorite new feature, but believe me, I wouldn't let it stop me from wearing one.
• Slightly redesigned dial: the word "EXPLORER" has been moved from the top where it used to be down to the bottom.

Features that haven't changed:

• COCS certified.
• Solid steel case and bracelet.
• Sapphire crystal.
• Screwdown crown.
• Water-resistant to 100 meters or 330 feet.
• No date (part of what it makes it so simple and beautiful).

Not sure yet on pricing or availability. I'll update when I know more.

By Christian Cantrell

Just announced at Basel is an interesting advance from Seiko: a bitmapped grey-scale E-ink display with 80,000 pixels and 300 dots per inch, comparable to a good laser printer. Claimed to be a real product and not just a concept, it has amazing promise for programmable, legible displays. Photo-accurate moonphase? Graphics of twilight? We've liked the E-ink watches we've seen so far, so this is tremendously interesting, and we'll be looking for a release date and price.

Also of note is the fact that each pixel can display four levels of grey — that's new on watches, though the Kindle and its ilk have had it for a while.

Without giving numbers, Seiko claims it uses 1% of the power previously required, so hopefully the battery life will be at least a year. I'm not fond of watches I have to recharge every week.

By Paul Hubbard

Rolex has finally introduced the long-awaited redesigned Rolex Submariner Date at BaselWorld 2010. It looks like the community is still digesting the changes and hasn't really come down on one side or the other yet, but I'm happy to go on record and admit to loving it. The Submariner has always been one of my favorite watches, and I think Rolex has actually managed to improve it significantly.

Here are the specs:

• 40mm case (no change in size, but the design is updated).
• New ceramic bezel with platinum graduations. (Ceramic is much more scratch- and UV-resistant than the old anodized aluminum, however it's also much more expensive to replace.)
• "Maxi dial" (meaning larger markers than the previous design as foreshadowed in the 50th Anniversary Edition).
• Sapphire crystal with AR-coated cyclops magnifier over the date (no change).
• Water-resistant to 300 meters or 1,000 feet (no change).
• New Oyster bracelet with a Glidelock clasp similar to what's on the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA. This is a significant improvement over the older Oysterlock bracelet.
• Same 3135 calibre movement, but with the addition of the Parachrom Blue hairspring which we've discussed before on the Rolex Milgauss.
• Signed chapter ring (the ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX.... you see between the bezel and the dial).

The new Submariner Date will also be available in green as pictured here. The reports I'm seeing on price are somewhere in the neighborhood of $7,500, but that's just an early estimate (and seems a tad bit high to me — I'll post an update when I can get some confirmation).

By Christian Cantrell

Announced today is the new Casio Pathfinder, model PAG-110C-3. Emphasis on this one is "Go Green," showcasing the environmentally friendly features of solar power, recycled packaging, and of course the vivid green color, introduced in conjunction with Earth Day.

Feature set is typical Pathfinder:

• Compass.
• Barometer/altimeter.
• Thermometer.
• Five alarms, stopwatch, 30-city world time.
• Water resistant to 100m (330ft).
• Tough solar power.
• Low temperature resistant.

List price is $250, exclusively available via Amazon. Keep an eye here for a full review.

By Paul Hubbard

As big Pathfinder fans here at WatchReport, we're happy to report that the new PAW-5000-1 will ship this April for $450. Departing somewhat from the dominant style of "mostly digital face", the new model sports a reduced-size digital screen and more dive-watch-style face. Somehow, it works for us. Casio PR has promised to try and get us a review unit, so keep an eye out for a full review. Here's a list of specifications to pique your interest in the meantime:

• Tough solar power.
• Six-band radio set timekeeping.
• Water resistant to 100m (330ft).
• Plastic case, urethane band.
• Triple sensor (temperature, altimeter/barometer, compass).
• Resistant to low temperatures.
• New tough movement, as seen in the GS-1200 and the MTG-1500, where it can check and correct the position of the hands. A very cool piece of engineering.
• The second hand doubles as a compass needle. Clever, huh?

The watch hasn't been officially announced in the USA yet, but keep an eye on Casio's website for the announcement.

By Paul Hubbard

Breitling has announced a new model in the Avenger line: the Blacksteel Chrono. This new chronograph brings some interesting new technology -- as well as a great new look -- to the dive-chronograph market.

The Blacksteel Chrono's pushers use a magnetic system to active the chronograph features rather than relying on a physical connection between the pusher and the chronograph system inside the watch. This magnetic magic allows the chronograph to be functional to a maximum depth of 1000m -- a considerable innovation as very few chronographs can be used while submerged, let alone at 1000m (a record now held by Breitling).

Breitling is powering the the Blacksteel Chrono with its SuperQuartz movement (Breitling 73 - COSC certified) which is ten times as accurate as traditional quartz moments. The blackened steel and red on black dial design is a refreshing change of pace compared to the somewhat flashy styles Breitling normally produces. This 45.5mm Breitling comes fitted with a sapphire crystal and a rubber strap, and is limited to 2,000 pieces.

By James Stacey

Are you a software developer who loves watches and is curious about hardware? Have you ever wanted a watch that you could hack on? If so, this might just make your day: the TI EZ430-Chronos. Produced as a promotion for the MS430 line of low-power microcontrollers from TI, it's a $50 kit for a fully programmable sport watch:

• 96-segment LCD driven by the MCU.
• Onboard 3-axis accelerometer, just like the iPhone.
• Onboard pressure sensor, tempurature, and battery voltage. Hmm, potential ABC (altimeter/barometer/compass) watch!
• Wireless radio interface for other sensors, such as heart rate monitors, pedometers, or whatever else you can imagine.
• Water-resistant to a kinda-lame 30m (100ft).
• Includes USB programmer, IDE, and IAR C compiler to get you started.
• Included source code gets you time, date, alarm, stopwatch, sensor readings, HRM and fitness interface, and two wireless protocols.
• Can also function as a data logger.

Awesome idea, great promo, fantastic price. Mine is already ordered! (Video after the jump.)

By Paul Hubbard

The news today is of a new watch company, Sonic Watches, and their first product, the Barracuda. Water resistant to 2,000m (6600ft), it's a mechanical dive watch of excellent pedigree:

• Solid 316L stainless steel case, 45mm by 16.6mm, 253g on bracelet.
• Helium escape valve at 9 o'clock for saturation divers.
• 4mm sapphire crystal, double AR coated.
• Screwdown caseback and crown.
• ETA 2824 Swiss movement -- top grade, adjusted in four positions.
• 120-click bezel.
• Massive amounts of SuperLuminova C1 on bezel, hands, and dial.
• Optional customized dial text.
• Models available with Plongeur-style hands, leather straps, or rubber.
• List price 599 Euros (introductory), 503 Euros if you're outside the VAT area (which includes us Americans, yay!).

We've spoken with founder Peter Schall and hope to have a review watch once the furor calms a bit; the low price has apparently gotten a lot of interest. We look forward to learning more.

By Paul Hubbard

Yesterday Timex announced a new collection of Ironman watches called "Lap Brights." Similar to the profusion of competitor G-Shocks, the Lap Brights have a competitive list of features:

• 30-lap memory.
• 100-hour stopwatch.
• Countdown timer.
• Alarm.
• Dual time zones.
• 200m (660ft) water resistant.
• Available in white (shown), yellow, violet, pink, blue, and green.

Available in April 2010, with a list price of 50UKP, or $80. It's good to see Timex competing more with Casio; we should all benefit in the end, and I quite like the look of these.

By Paul Hubbard

Swatch recently introduced a line of inexpensive mechanical chronographs. Previously, any Swiss watch with the ubiquitous ETA/Valjoux 7750 was typically $700 or more. The new line (pictured at right) starts at $360!

Movement is the ETA C01.211, about which information is a bit scarce. It seems to only be available to the Swatch group, which is a bummer. As with the movement in the Irony skeleton, they've cut costs by using some plastic parts, but the result is inexpensive and still durable.

Swatch has several color and case schemes available, as you'd expect. Kudos for bringing chronographs out at mass-market prices.

By Paul Hubbard