THE JOURNAL

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Make A Splash: Five New Dive Watches With Real Character
Words by Mr Chris Hall
13 June 2022

Despite relying on some tightly standardised attributes, over the past 70-plus years, the dive watch has proved to be the most malleable template for watch design. Today, if you want a watch that’s water-resistant, sturdy, luminous when called upon and blessed with an overall character of adventure, your choice is well and truly spoilt. Here are five that bring a huge dose of colour, texture, shape and personality to the role.

01.
Bremont x Bamford Watch Department

02.
Oris Aquis Sun Wukong Limited Edition
Released to mark 60 years of the film Sun Wukong¸ this limited-edition Aquis celebrates the Chinese Monkey King legend with a caseback engraving and graphic dial design, as well as a red and yellow second hand inspired by the folk hero’s magical staff.

03.
Montblanc
Montblanc’s first serious dive watch, the Iced Sea is named after the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France and has a dial to match. But don’t worry; it will handle water in its liquid state just as well, with a 41mm stainless-steel case, ceramic bezel and 300m water resistance.

04.
Bell & Ross
There’s something charmingly unorthodox about a square-cased dive watch. So, if you’re going to break with tradition, why not go the whole hog and add a brown dial and bronze case? With a rotating bezel, screw-down crown and 300m rating, it’s still every inch the capable diver.

05.
Panerai
The sea-faring chronograph is a rare breed because the operation of the pushers usually compromises water resistance. Panerai’s Luminor Chrono is still rated to 100m and features a tachymeter scale calibrated for nautical miles, which makes it ideal for… Jet-ski racing? Why not?