divers watch

Ball Engineer Master II Diver World Time Watch

Some tout it as the poor man's Girard-Perregaux ww.tc watch, but there is nothing "poor" about Ball's new Engineer Master II Diver World Time watch. While it technically is placed in their diver's watch collection and has the type of durability you'd expect from such a pieces, this is a great watch for travelers. In addition to the ring style GMT indicator, you can get the time of anywhere in the world at a glance (as well as whether it is day or night there). There is also an internal rotating bezel that is of course necessary on a diver's watch.

Set in a 45mm wide Engineer Master II Diver steel case, the watch has a sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 300 meters. Inside the watch is a specially modified Swiss ETA 2836 automatic movement with the GMT ring complication in it. Ball calls it their caliber 965 The watch also has the day of the week and the date indicators. Like all Ball watches, the Engineer Master II Diver World Time watch is fitted with a number of tritium gas tubes in the hands and hour markers for effortless (no light charge) night viewing. Ball watches have the most powerful tritium gas tubes available in watches in the US. There are also 55 tubes in the watch.

The timepiece was inspired by Ball brand ambassador Guillaume Nery, the accomplished freediver. The watch caseback has an engraving meant to honor him. Ball will offer the Engineer Master II Diver World Time on a steel or rubber strap. Price should be a few thousand dollars, for this very cool, and highly useful timepiece.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2010, Ball, Diver, divers watch, Engineer Master, II, watch, world time

Richard Mille RM 025 Tourbillon Chronograph Diver's Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Popular ultra high-end watch maker Richard Mille tackles the seas instead of the track with the new RM 025 Tourbillon Chronograph Diver's watch. With impeccable engineering prowess, the RM 025 movement-based watch is almost too good to be submerged underwater although it satisfies every diving watch requirement with an extremely sturdy rotating bezel and 300 meter water resistant case that involves a complex case sealing process using hand tightened torque screws. Chronograph pushers on the left of the case are gasket sealed, and the crown, instead of being pulled out to operate, features a central push bottom to switch between its three functions; "H" (to adjust the hands), "N' (neutral time display mode), and "W" (to use the crown for winding).

Despite its intriguing technical design and large 50mm width, the watch's main draw are the mechanical features inside. Richard Mille has been able to combine a titanium column wheel based chronograph with a tourbillon. The specially designed barrel offers 70 hours of power reserve (with a power reserve indicator) in a single main spring barrel unit. Precision enhancing additions such a variable inertia balance wheel, torque indicator dial, and fast rotating main spring barrel provide a vastly increased level of precision and energy use efficiency over similar models - in addition to allowing for greater involvement and understanding of the movement operation by the wearer.

Case construction is a customizable mix of 18k red gold, white gold, and titanium. The Richard Mille designed rubber strap features a secure locking deployment for wearing comfort and security. As is the case in all Richard Mille watches, the RM 025 Tourbillon Chronograph Diver has no specific dial plate. Subdials and hour indexes are reverse applied to the sapphire crystal allowing a direct view into the movement. The Tourbillon Chronograph Diver is a remarkable little machine, best suited for the dedicated horological enthusiast who is able to appreciate its many unparalleled features and technical prowess. Price will easily exceed $100,000 (by a lot).

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

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