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Dive Watches · Page 72

Introducing: The Seiko Prospex SPB451, SPB453, And SPB455 - Successors To The SPB143 Fratello
Mar 7, 2024

Introducing: The Seiko Prospex SPB451, SPB453, And SPB455 - Successors To The SPB143

The Seiko SPB143 is a veritable fan favorite among lovers of Seiko dive watches. And that’s for good reason. It combined the mid-range quality we know from this level of Seiko offerings with subtle, timeless dive-watch aesthetics. Today, Seiko releases the spiritual successors to this watch. These are the standard-production SPB451 (blue dial) and SPB453 […] Visit Introducing: The Seiko Prospex SPB451, SPB453, And SPB455 - Successors To The SPB143 to read the full article.

Seiko Upgrades the “62MAS” Prospex Diver SJX Watches
Mar 7, 2024

Seiko Upgrades the “62MAS” Prospex Diver

A bestseller available in several variants to date, the modern-day “62MAS” now gets a substantive upgrade with the Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver’s Watch. The new diver is a direct successor of cal. 6R35-powered models, including the SPB143 and SPB239 of 2021. Released in two regular-production models (SPB451 and SPB453), plus a 100th anniversary special edition (SPB455), the latest Prospex “62MAS” improves on earlier models in three key areas: water resistance is now 300 m, the case is slightly more compact, and the movement is now the cal. 6R55 with a 72-hour power reserve. SPB451 Initial Thoughts As is usually the case with Prospex dive watches, the latest take on the 62MAS is robust and good looking. The new divers are safe bets as they rely on a proven formula – the classic 62MAS design with improved technical features. The SPB455 in particular stands out with its vintage-flavoured gilt accents. That said, the designs stay traditional; these are difficult to distinguish from their predecessors at a distance. A more distinctive design, perhaps with patterned dials that Seiko excels in, would have made these more compelling. SPB453 Importantly, the new trio also stays in the sub-US$1,500 price segment. Few dive watches in this price range have the same historical provenance, since Seiko was a pioneer in dive watch development. The regular production pair are only US$100 pricier than the SPB143 (and the special edition an extra US$200). The premium is easily ju...

The Rolex Submariner, The “007 Prime Minister,” And A Cold War Mystery Fratello
Mar 6, 2024

The Rolex Submariner, The “007 Prime Minister,” And A Cold War Mystery

This is the story of how one prime minister’s love of the sea connected him with a senior Rolex executive and inspired the gift of a Rolex Submariner. That prime minister, Harold Holt, was the leader of Australia at the height of the Cold War. His mysterious disappearance shocked the world. On Sunday, December 17th, […] Visit The Rolex Submariner, The “007 Prime Minister,” And A Cold War Mystery to read the full article.

Isotope Brings Back the Popular “Will Return” Diver in a New Colorway Worn & Wound
Mar 5, 2024

Isotope Brings Back the Popular “Will Return” Diver in a New Colorway

Inspiration can come from anywhere, and Isotope knows it. Since the brand’s founding in 2016, they have shown a knack for mining ideas from interesting places, and backing up their funky designs and color schemes with genuine technical prowess. Over the last eight years, they’ve made watches inspired by exit signs, NASA, British judges’ robes, and even the ridiculousness of gender-specific watches.  But probably their most successful design came with the 2021 release of the “Will Return” Hydrium X Diver, a vibrant dive watch with a lume dial inspired by the “Closed, Will Return” signs found in shop windows all over the world. Now, as the promise of the name would suggest, the Will Return has, well, returned, albeit with some slight differences, and accompanied by a ridiculously cool wall clock. The new “Will Return Red” plays off the format of the 2021 release but makes a few changes. The biggest and boldest is that the blue bezel has been swapped out for a bright red one. The hands have been updated slightly, forfeiting the white border. There’s no blue to be found on the watch head, but the black FKM tropic-style rubber strap from the original release has been swapped for a light blue strap of the same construction. Ignoring the new colorway, the Will Return Red is the same watch Isotope has been making for the last few years. That’s a good thing, because despite the colorful and fun look of the Isotope, at its core the Hydrium X Diver is a properl...

Isotope Launches The HydriumX Will Return Red And Wall Return Clock Fratello
Mar 3, 2024

Isotope Launches The HydriumX Will Return Red And Wall Return Clock

In 2021, Isotope launched its successful Hydrium collection of dive watches with the limited HydriumX Will Return model. Based on the well-known shop door sign that indicates when the proprietor will return and the shop will reopen, the watch sold out quickly. The Hydrium case has since been the canvas for many interesting and attractive […] Visit Isotope Launches The HydriumX Will Return Red And Wall Return Clock to read the full article.

Hands-On: the UBIQ DUAL Series 01 Worn & Wound
Feb 28, 2024

Hands-On: the UBIQ DUAL Series 01

Making judgments off photos alone is a necessity in the world of microbrands, a subset of watches often sold exclusively online. Unless you are lucky enough to attend an event such as Windup Watch Fair, purchasing a microbrand usually requires some educated guessing based on pictures and dimensions, and then praying you like the watch once it arrives at your doorstep, long after your money has left your bank account.  Forming opinions without seeing a watch in the metal as I had many times before, I made up my mind weeks ago that the DUAL Series 01 from UBIQ was a watch I would love to own. With an impressive 200 meters of water resistance and a sapphire crystal, it had the specs enthusiasts such as myself want. Featuring a 39mm diameter and 47mm lug to lug case, I knew it would be comfortable. And, drawn in by the photos of captivatingly colorful dials and bezels, I was confident it would be a playful addition to my collection of mostly bland dive watches. After spending some time with the DUAL Series 01, I can confirm it is indeed a well-built, vibrant tool watch prepared to add spice to any collection. However, I am also walking away with a reminder that pictures alone fail to capture the entire story. $649 Hands-On: the UBIQ DUAL Series 01 Case Stainless steel Movement Miyota 9015 Dial Various Lume Yes Lens Sapphire Strap Rubber or bracelet Water Resistance 200 meters Dimensions 39 x 47mm Thickness 11.5mm Lug Width 20mm Crown Screw down Warranty Yes Price $649 Maybe i...

Exploring Evergreens: The Omega Seamaster 120 Ref. 168.1501 Fratello
Feb 28, 2024

Exploring Evergreens: The Omega Seamaster 120 Ref. 168.1501

In this installment of Exploring Evergreens, I’ll take a look at the Omega Seamaster 120 ref. 168.1501. This was a mainstream model in Omega’s catalog for nearly a decade during the 1990s. Today, however, it has been all but forgotten. It’s a clean design that has stood the test of time, and it ultimately paved […] Visit Exploring Evergreens: The Omega Seamaster 120 Ref. 168.1501 to read the full article.

The Original Frog Watch Leaps In On Monday - Rolex Submariner 16610LV “Kermit” Fratello
Feb 26, 2024

The Original Frog Watch Leaps In On Monday - Rolex Submariner 16610LV “Kermit”

Even when something is objectively better, it could still be subjectively worse. I’m sure you can think of an example, be it cars, hi-fi equipment, boats, or watches, of course. When I had an unexpected encounter with the Rolex Submariner 16610LV “Kermit,” all kinds of thoughts went through my head. Yes, the current “Sub” is […] Visit The Original Frog Watch Leaps In On Monday - Rolex Submariner 16610LV “Kermit” to read the full article.

Depth-Testing my Seiko SKX013 Dive Watch: Jumping In at the Deep End Quill & Pad
Feb 25, 2024

Depth-Testing my Seiko SKX013 Dive Watch: Jumping In at the Deep End

Professional watchmakers have specialist machinery for testing the water resistance of their watches, but Colin Alexander Smith does not. So after servicing his Seiko SKX013 he was on the lookout for an opportunity to take it down deep. And he found the perfect opportunity while summer holiday diving at Aiguablava cove on Spain's Costa Brava. But it didn't go quite to plan and his Seiko came out of the experience a tad better than he did.

The Three Watch Collection for $5,000: Reader Edition – Matthew Catellier Worn & Wound
Feb 23, 2024

The Three Watch Collection for $5,000: Reader Edition – Matthew Catellier

Editor’s Note: For this edition of The Three Watch Collection for $5,000, we have a submission from Matthew Catellier. If you read a lot of watch content, that name might ring a bell. Matthew is the founder and Executive Editor of WatchReviewBlog.com, a home to watch reviews and news since 2015. Matthew, based in Montreal, has also contributed to Forbes, Monochrome, and other publications. This three watch collection has a lot of variety, and sees Matthew picking an unusual and colorful dive watch, and a couple of classics from two of our favorite affordable, independent brands.  You can make your submission to the Three Watch Collection – Reader Edition by filling out the form right here. Starting a three watch collection with a limit of $5000 is a fun place to be. This is a price segment with a huge selection, from very well known brands, down to new microbrands. For this watch collection I’ve decided to stick with three brands that have been around for a while, which provides some comfort in terms of tried and true reliability.  Mido Decompression Worldtimer – $1,300 The Mido Decompression Worldtimer is a watch that’s ingrained itself in my memory ever since I had the pleasure to handle one. How could it not with its stunning rainbow dial? There’s multiple aspects that excite me about this watch. For one, it’s not trying to be something else, that is to say the Decompression Wordtimer is actually an iconic watch in its own right, having been first releas...

[VIDEO] The Tudor Black Bay THUNDERDOME! Worn & Wound
Feb 21, 2024

[VIDEO] The Tudor Black Bay THUNDERDOME!

It was bound to happen. You get enough Black Bays in a room together, and they’re going to fight it out until there’s only one diver standing. Zach Kazan, Zach Weiss, and Kat Shoulders are all big Tudor fans, and have gravitated toward various corners of the Black Bay universe over the last few years in the dive watch’s decade-plus history. In this video, sides are chosen, and a battle is waged to crown the best Black Bay.  Kat’s choice, the Black Bay 54, was the darling of last year’s Watches & Wonders festivities. An immediate hit for its slender, vintage inspired footprint, the 54 is effectively a recreation of a classic vintage Tudor with all the conveniences of a modern watch. The only question: is it too small? And does it cannibalize the Black Bay 58, a watch that was once at the top of the enthusiast food chain (and not too long ago) but now might be redundant for many.  Zach Weiss picked the Black Bay Pro, another Watches & Wonders release, this one from 2022. While we’re still not sure exactly what makes it “pro,” there’s no denying the utility of a GMT equipped diver. The Black Bay Pro borrows some of its key attributes from well known vintage Rolex references (that fixed steel 24 hour bezel is clearly meant to evoke old and new Explorer IIs) but is still very much its own thing. It’s a hard watch not to like, unless you insist on complicated and robust sports watches being thinner than one could reasonably expect for about $4,000. We addre...

Hands-On With The Stylish Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Black Ceramic Fratello
Feb 21, 2024

Hands-On With The Stylish Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Black Ceramic

Finding your favorites in a single model range can be challenging, especially with an extensive collection like the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. The latest generation of Omega’s popular diver has been around since 2018. Ever since then, we have seen the brand add models to the lineup with different colors and especially different materials. One […] Visit Hands-On With The Stylish Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Black Ceramic to read the full article.

Hands-On: the Foliot Scubanaut Collection Worn & Wound
Feb 19, 2024

Hands-On: the Foliot Scubanaut Collection

Anyone who has been in the watch world long enough knows how hard it is to be surprised. New releases often feel like a revolving door of familiar brands tweaking existing models. Maybe that means a blue Pelagos FXD instead of a black one, or adding a piece of flair such as Kermit the frog to a date wheel without changing any complications. Iterations such as new dial colors and puppets on wheels make for temporary amusement, but fall short of evoking genuine surprise from enthusiasts who are no stranger to seeing their favorite childhood characters adorning their wrists. When bombshells from the big brand fizzle out, I often turn to the microbrand space in my quest for a bit of shock. I foster a special affinity for microbrands and applaud any brand that dares to enter a crowded arena to contribute something new. But even in a constantly shifting microbrand landscape, things can be predictable. Slimmer versions of existing dive watches and fan favorite brands jumping on the integrated bracelet bandwagon can start to feel a bit formulaic. But in a rare occurrence, I had the opportunity for surprise by spending time with two travel watches from Foliot, a brand not previously on my radar. And, spoiler alert, one of these watches actually did manage to scratch that awe inspiring itch. Fighting the urge to research brand history and sleuth for fellow enthusiast’s opinions on the forums before the mail truck arrived, I decided to go in blind with this review. Afterall, how of...

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