moVas Bronze DIVER project

By TLex Here's an early look at the latest project from moVas. In the coming months they will launch a number of exciting new models, which include the Oceaner 1, an internal bezel diver and a new Bronze Diver, based on their best selling DIVER range.



The Bronze Diver improves upon the version introduced 2 years ago. One such improvement is its bezel, which has been redesigned for greater articulation and a less block-like shape. Its mechanism has also been improved. As well as this, the crown guard is also more refined.



The watch will be constructed from Chinese sourced CuSn6, which has been tested for its composition. It is virtually indistinguishable in its appearance from CuSn8. For those that are unfamiliar with moVas - part of who they are is being proudly made in Asia, which means sourcing materials and parts in Asia. 

The Bronze Diver will house a reworked day/date 3 hand movement that moVas had Seagull Watch Co. make for them with their own day/ date discs and a custom skeletonized rotor, which will be rose gold plated. It has a power reserve of 45hrs and an accuracy of +/- 10s per day. The movement is hacking.



Specifications and features of the moVas Bronze Diver include: a 45mm x 18mm CuSn6 bronze case, a 3mm double domed Sapphire crystal with AR-coating on its inside, a 120 click-type unidirectional divers bezel with an engraved bronze insert with dive-time scale, a signed Titanium screw down crown and a 12 sided Titanium 12 sided screw down caseback with a domed Sapphire crystal exhibition window. Its water-resistance is 300 meters / 30atm.



Its dial will be dark olive green with a matte finish and rose gold rimmed applied indexes with C3 SuperLuminova. The hands will also be rose gold plated, brushed and applied with C3 SuperLuminova. The watch will come on a dark green leather strap along with a customized rubber divers strap with a bronze tang buckle. A working prototype should be ready sometime in November. At this stage there are no further details, but rest assured, when they available they will be announced here first.

Read up on the ANITQUA DSS 1953 by moVas . . .

OBRIS MORGAN Explorer PROTOTYPE

By TLex Obris Morgan have had a new divers model in the works for the past 9 months. The Explorer will be their first new release of 2013. It aspires to have a higher level of finishing and spec. than PREVIOUS models.



Its 316L Stainless steel case will be available with either a bead-blasted, satin brushed or DLC finish and will be fitted with an automatic HEV (helium escape valve) making it suitable for SAT diving.



The watch will be powered by a high frequency (28,800 bph) Japanese made Miyota 9015 caliber, which has an accuracy of +/- 10 sec/day.



It will be secured by a 316L Stainless steel movement holder. The hands and dial markers will be filled with C1 SuperLuminova.



Further features of the watch include: a Solid 316L Stainless steel screwdown caseback and crown, a 120 click-type uni-directional divers bezel, a Sapphire crystal with single sided anti-reflective coating and a water-resistance of 20 ATM / 200 meters.



Dimensions include : a 32mm dial aperture, 42mm diameter (exc. crown), 12mm thickness inc. caseback, 51mm lug to lug and 20mm (drilled) lug width.



HERE are a couple video (for geeks) profiling the Explorer prototype CASE and its BEZEL. Stay tuned for more soon!

HELSON Gauge BRONZE coming soon

By TLex Here's a teaser shot of the new Gauge Bronze from Helson with its hand-cut domed Sapphire crystal and olive green dial. The latest Guage model joins a family of 5 others and true to form it brings something a little different to the table. 

Firstly its bronze case is fitted with a crown at 4 o'clock (some gauge models had either integrated crowns that fitted flush against their case sides - others (the 1000M) with a crown at 6 o'clock. Also the Bronze Gauge does not have a separate bezel, either fixed or operable, which gives it a beautiful clean appearance!



Liked this? Check out the HELSON Gauge: 3500M, V2.0, CHRONO, 1000M and turning BEZEL . . .

HELBERG CH1 STEEL

By TLex Lest we forget the virtues of a beautifully brushed steel case - here is a closer look at the devastatingly good looking DSS inspired, HELBERG CH1!



Shown here, the CH1 is fitted with a standard divers bezel with its elapsed dive time scale in SL. There is an option for a sterile bezel with only the 12hr marker.



This is the first time that we are able to see the (tamer) 7mm high domed Sapphire crystal and the standard CH1 silver watch dial. A gold accented dial is also available.



The 15mm high spherical crystal was so high that it caused a too much distortion, a 2nd dial had to specially designed to counteract the distortion



- however a certain (desirable) amount of distortion will remain so that the watch retains much of the charm of the original dial, which warped under its massive glass.



Finally the watch is presented on a brushed steel 22mm, three link, non-tapering bracelet with an H2O micro adjustment clasp. Stay tuned for more soon . . .



Check out the CH1 BRONZE prototype watch . . .

H2O Orca MONO OceanicTime SE

By TLex The H2O Orca MONO OceanicTime SE is close to completion! These are the first samples of the watch's DLC coated case and components.



The watch's inner and outer case, caseback, crown, screws and bracelet have all been individually coated.



The DLC coating is being carried out in Germany. H2O Watches have tested more numerous DLC coating companies in Germany and found who they believe to be the very best that there is.



Not only does the DLC coating have lovely deep black color, but also has an exceptionally high degree hardness. I will have more details on exactly how hard the coating will later on.



Every single Orca MONO OceanicTime SE will be hand assembled after DLC coating in Switzerland. Just 20 pcs will be produced.



Basic spec. includes a water-resistance of 2000m as well as 4mm 'super' dome Sapphire crystal. I will reveal more on some of the watch's special features along with pictures of the assembled prototype watch. Stay tuned . . .



Liked this? Check out the TUNGUM Mono . . .

HELBERG CH1 Bronze PROTOTYPE

By TLex Here it is, the HELBERG CH1 Bronze prototype watch, made from CuSn8 Bronze alloy, the bronze alloy considered most aesthetically pleasing for its warm reddish tones and rich patina that it develops.



Whether you keep it pristine or allow a dark patina to form, CuSn8 just looks good! It takes the CH1, which is already a very special looking watch by all accounts and makes it extraordinary.



Many of the CH1's intriguing characteristics have been borrowed from the legendary Rolex Deep Sea Special (DSS) experimental watch.



However HELBERG have tweaked and re-engineered the design so that, whilst it incorporates all that we love about the DSS;



its monstrous spherical crystal, the huge lug plates and oversized crown, the watch is right up to date and is (more importantly) wearable.



Follow the link to see spy shots of the STEEL CH1 prototype watch . . .

HELBERG CH1 SpyShots

By TLex Here are the very first spy shots of the HELBERG CH1 prototype watch of which there are two; one in bronze and one in steel.



HELBERG is a new vintage label from H2O Watches. The CH1 watch was inspired by the Rolex Deep Sea Special (DSS) experimental watch from 1960.



The CH1 plays off of many of the strong design features of the original watch such as the extreme spherical crystal, the massive lug plates and oversized crown.



The spherical crystal is hardcore - but don't worry a more subdued crystal is also available as an option.



Something that you might not know about the CH1 - its caseback is sealed with triple o-rings!



There aren't many watches that require such sealing, but then again 6000m mechaanical watches are few and far between.



The watch is offered with either a custom leather band with Helberg buckle or full metal bracelt with a a divers clasp with sliding adjustment.



Stay tuned for spy shots of the CH1 Bronze next week plus a full preview of the prototype watches.

VintageVDB CHRONO Q'n'Ds

By TLex Here are the first images of the new Vintage-VDB CHRONO plus the 'Nordic Nightmare' SE made for Robert HELENIUS. Shots taken from the Vintage-VDB workshop in Erfurt, Germany.



The watch looks looks like a real beast! Special features include: a massive 55mm x 57mm x 20mm Bronze case, a carbon fiber dial and rotating bezel, 200m of water-resistance and a Swiss made ETA Valjoux 7750 engine.



Availability of the watch is limited. Please follow the link HERE for further details. Glamor shots to come in the following days!

HAMILTON Khaki Navy Sub Auto CHRONO (a glimpse at)

By TLex Here's a sneak peek at a new diver from HAMILTON called the Khaki Navy Sub Auto Chrono. The watch will be officially released at Basel later this week. We haven't seen a new Hammy diver in quite some time, so expectations are fairly high. I will wait for more detailed images before passing judgment, though.



Basic spec. includes: a 43mm brushed and polished Stainless steel case with rubber details on the bezel, a Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, screwdown pushers and crowns and a water-resistance of 30 bar, 300m. The dial is in black and gray with an 'H' pattern in the center and applied indices with Super-LumiNova®. It is powered by an H-31 automatic chronograph caliber with up to 60 hours power reserve. RRP is 1995USD / 1595€ / 1995CHF.

RALF TECH WRV teaser #3

By TLex Today's teaser shows the dial of the WRV "C" Automatic Pirates Shadow, a Limited Edition of 22 pieces. It has a matte black case, a grey phantom dial with skull 'n' crossed sabers, and black indexes. RALF TECH will be showing 5 different versions of the new WRV at Baselworld. These include:



WRV "V" Automatic 1977 Ltd Ed (77 pcs): brushed and polished mixed surfaces case, black dial, vintage beige lume indexes and hands

WRV "A" Hybrid: brushed case, black dial, C3 lume indexes and hands

WRV "A" Hybrid black: matte black case, black dial, C3 lume indexes and hands

WRV "C" Automatic Pirates Ltd Ed (22 pcs): matte black case, black dial, C3 lume indexes and hands

WRV "C" Automatic Pirates Shadow Ltd Ed (22 pcs): matte black case, grey phantom dial, C1 lume, black indexes