BENTLEY Sea Captain

By TLex Introducing Bentley and their first nautical model, the Sea Captain. Nestled in the heart of watch-making territory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Bentley were first established in 1948. 

In 1996 the Bentley Luxury Group was formed with an aim to expand their product portfolio beyond wristwatches and to include luxury fashion and lifestyle goods. The company is in the process of launching an exciting new concept store in Shanghai.




IMPORTANT Please don't confuse Bentley with Bentley Motors, the British car manufacture or Breitling for Bentley Watches. They are the same in name alone and are completely unrelated to each other.

The Bentley watch division has had a recent rebirth and is currently refocusing its efforts on developing some exciting new timepieces that not only draw upon influences from their heritage, but that combine traditional watchmaking techniques with the very latest in watchmaking technologies and current industry trends.



The Sea Captain is Bentley's first nautical model, but it is just a precursor of what is to come from the Bentley watch division. As you read this, exciting new mechanical divers models are being developed, some are even already in the prototype phase and I hope to share more on these in the following weeks and months.



Back to the Sea Captain; this is Bentley’s nautical watch: Its 100 meter water-resistant case combines high-tech materials such as Cermat (a metal and ceramic composite material) which has been used for the Sea Captain’s bezel inlay and bracelet center-links.



Its case back is with a striking black ceramic Bentley emblem made up of two pieces. Two dial designs are available, a standard 3 hander with date function and tri-compax layout with 1/10 second counter. The Sea Captain is powered by a highly accurate Swiss quartz Ronda 3540 module.



Further specification includes: a Stainless steel case measuring 43mm x 52mm (length), a two tone high-tech ceramic bezel with dive time indications, a black dial with lumed hour markers and hands, a two tone Stainless steel with black ceramic inserts, a Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, a 7mm (wide) screwdown crown. 

Prices are from 1250USD.

OLIVIER Bronze Diver ETA Nº8

By TLex This is the ill-famed Olivier Bronze Diver ETA on a t.a.c.t.i.c.o brown leather strap by Jacobstraps of Spain.



I have no current new info. on the Olivier Watch Company, I am afraid, but I did finally receive my watch after a very long wait. I hope you did, too!



I f you're are after a reasonably priced bronze diver with a similar style you could consider the CH6 by HELBERG:)



































© OceanicTime

IWC Aquatimer CHRONOGRAPH Edition GALAPAGOS Islands

By TLex This is the new IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Galapagos Islands’ Ref. IW379502, which is powered by an IWC-manufactured 89365 caliber.



No, that’s it isn’t a DLC coating. This time round IWC have gone for a slick black rubber cladding for the Galapagos Edition, and doesn’t it look hot. It should protect the watch from a few hard knocks!



The 300 meter water-resistant, Aquatimer Chronograph Edition comes with identical 'SafeDive' bezel technology as other models.



This system offers the best of both worlds; a 60-click internal bezel with a chunky extremal bezel, the design of which was inspired by the legendary Porsche Design Ocean 2000 from 1982.



I like the clean look, but wonder if some might have feel that it would also benefit from a 12hr pip for quick 'n' easy timing? Its caseback sports an engraving of IWC's the iconic Galapagos iguana motif.



It joins an Aquatimer line up of NINE new models, which include: the Aquatimer Automatic 2000 Ref. IW358002 and the Aquatimer Chrono Edition Expedition Charles Darwin Ref. IW379503.

IWC Aquatimer AUTOMATIC 2000

By TLex Introducing the new IWC Aquatimer Automatic 2000 Ref. IW358002, which forms part of IWC's 2014 Aquatimer family of NINE new models! This is IWC's fist comprehensive re-launch since 2009. Although altered, the Aquatimer DNA is still recognizable.

IWC have not only elevated the family's pedigree with Manufatcure movements, but have given much thought to the new design which elegantly blends the DNA of a couple of legendary dive watches from the past!



The dial clearly recalls the first Aquatimer of 1967, but the overall aesthetic whilst elegant has a new chunkiness to it making it (for me) the most desirable Aquatimer to date. The bezel with its recessed grip was inspired by the legendary Porsche Design, Ocean 2000.



The 2014 Aquatimer 2000 also makes a welcomed return to Titanium with its 2000 meter / 200 bar water-resistant case, also reminiscent of the iconic Ocean 2000, created by Ferdinand A. Porsche in 1982.



The most obvious technical change comes from the new Aquatimer generation's innovative external/internal rotating divers bezel with its IWC 'SafeDive' system combing the benefits of a 60-click internal bezel safeguarding the mechanism from dirt and seawater with the ergonomics of an external rotational bezel that can be easily manipulated with a divers gloves.



The new Aquatimer 2000 also features a rugged IWC-manufactured 80110 caliber with Pellaton winding system; first developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s by IWC's technical director (at the time), Albert Pellaton. It differs from other rotor designs as it is mounted on a sprung plate, which forms a kind of shock resistance making it ideal for a divers model.



The is the most comprehensive Aquatimer collection to date. It includes NINE new models: 

> Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Ref. IW379401

> Aquatimer Deep Three in titanium Ref. IW355701

> Aquatimer Automatic 2000 Ref. IW358002

> Aquatimer Chrono Edition 50 Yrs Science for Galapagos Ref. IW379504

> Aquatimer Chrono Edition Galapagos Islands Ref. IW379502

> Aquatimer Chrono Edition Expedition Charles Darwin Ref. IW379503

> Aquatimer Chrono Edition Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau Ref. IW376805 

> Aquatimer Chrono steel Refs. IW376801/IW376802/IW376803/IW376804 

> Aquatimer Automatic steel Refs. IW329001/IW329002/IW329003/IW329004

IWC Aquatimer CHRONGRAPH Edition EXPEDITION Charles DARWIN

By TLex This beauty is the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Expedition Charles Darwin’ Ref. IW379503, which for the first time ever, sees IWC Schaffhausen making use of bronze for one of their watch cases.



Bronze has experienced an exceptional growth in popularity among smaller boutique brands, but apart from Richmont Group sibling, Panerai and the former Anonimo, bronze has remained a niche case material.



The Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Expedition Charles Darwin’ is equipped with the IWC manufactured 89365 caliber.



Its case, which has a water-resistance of 300 meters, is fitted with IWC’s 'SafeDive' system combination internal/external bezels.



I know this is only a limited edition piece, but it’s exciting to see some big Swiss brands using bronze. ;)



It joins an Aquatimer line up of up to NINE new models, which include the Aquatimer Automatic 2000 Ref. IW358002 and the Aquatimer Chrono Edition Galapagos Islands Ref. IW379502.