Into the Mariana Trench with Omega

When Victor Vescovo piloted his submarine „Limiting Factor“ to the bottom of the Mariana Trench at the beginning of this year, he set a new world record with a diving depth of 10,928 metres. Three Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional watches were along for the ride: Two attached to a submersible’s robotic arm, another to a Lander.

And who could be better suited to accompany a journey into the abyss than Omega, as the brand’s watches have joined divers and adventurers in dangerous depths for decades. In 1932 the „Marine“ was born – the first diver’s watch for everyone. This watch was used by the researcher Charles W. Beebe when he dared his 14-mile dive. 
1948 the Omega Seamaster was introduced, valued by British pilots and sailors for its water-resistance and absolute reliability. The Seamaster 300 from 1957 was designed specifically for divers and underwater workers. 
The Omega „Ploprof“ was created in 1970 and has accompanied Jacques-Yves Cousteau on his dives. Only one year later followed the Seamaster 1000, one year after that the Seamaster 120 Big Blue. In 1993 Omega launched the popular Seamaster Diver 300M. 
The year 2005 then saw the beginnings of the Ultra Deep, which we present here today.

For Omega, the development of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional started from scratch and included some risks. A watch doesn’t have to be enormous to withstand extreme pressures. The manufacturer managed to limit the thickness of the diver’s watch to less than 28 millimetres without sacrificing its exceptional resistance. The bezel, case, caseback and crown were machined cutoffs from the hull. The Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional also comes with a viewport. The loadbearing surface of the Limiting Factor’s viewports has been engineered to minimise pressure on the inside edges of the cone, where the stresses are highest. 
Fully integrated into the titanium case, the lugs of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional are left open to lower the risk of exceeding material limitations at full ocean depth, as both the watch and the strap can be subjected to high traction loads. They are called „Manta“ lugs due to their distinctive look.

The maximum pressure selected was within the tolerances required in the Mariana Trench, but to be safe and meet the standards for diving watches, Omega insisted on adding a 25% safety margin, which meant that the watches had to work up to 1500 bar. And as if that wasn’t enough, the three watches were subjected to METAS rigorous testing for ten days after returning from their dive. Even after the strains in the depths of the Mariana Trench, the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep passed all the tests and received the Master Chronometer certificate.

The expedition logo is located in the centre of the caseback, inside concentric circles evoking the Multi Beam sonar technology. Information such as model, reference number, certification and „tested to 15,000m 49212ft“ can also be found.

Omega’s choice of strap material drew on the brand’s experience in space: The combination of polyamide bracelet and Velcro closure is closely associated with the straps used in the Apollo missions.

The New TAG Heuer Carrera Lady

Elegant and enduring, the new Carrera Lady timepiece features a design that enhances the entire collection. From bold colours to the improved readability of the dial, the revamped Carrera Lady timepieces deftly combine performance and style. With their feminine flair and understated sophistication, any one of the new models in the Carrera Lady 36 mm collection will make the ideal accessory for the discerning and confident modern urban woman. And who to communicate this better than model, actress and TAG Heuer Brand Ambassador Cara Delevingne.

A glance at the dial reveals refined indexes and hands. The dial is available in white mother-of-pearl, purple, grey, blue and black, and is perfectly legible thanks to its markedly pure design. A seconds scale is printed on the flange around the dial, and is surrounded by either a smooth or diamond-set bezel. A final detail that sets the new Carrera Lady wristwatch apart from their predecessors is the date window at 3 o’clock – the frame boasts an intriguing trapezoidal shape, as opposed to the square shape of the original.

The 36 mm stainless-steel timepieces now feature curved lugs and a water-resistance to 10 bar. TAG Heuer offers three different straps for the new collection: a brushed and polished stainless-steel bracelet, a calfskin strap (in black or blue) or an alligator leather strap with a satin finish (in purple, taupe or grey).
The case size in combination with the automatic movement makes the Carrera collection a modern watch that stands out from the other ladies‘ watches of the avant-garde manufacturer. With its 36-mm-diameter, the case is larger than those of the women’s watches that TAG Heuer generally creates, but is ideal for a statement-making piece that is robust yet classy.

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Lady is equipped with either a quartz or an automatic movement. The automatic calibre 5 works with a frequency of 4 Hz and offers a power reserve of 38 hours.

The case back of the quartz-powered models is stamped with the TAG Heuer logo and collection name, along with a cross-hatched pattern that serves as a nod to the Carrera line’s motor-racing heritage. Alternatively, the mechanical movement counterparts feature a sapphire case back that provides an unobstructed view of the automatic calibre within.

Bell & Ross: BR 03-92 Diver Black Matte

When one explores the ocean, when the pressure rises as one navigates its depths, when an instrument’s readability is a matter of survival, Bell & Ross‘ diving watches offer a professional, reliable and rugged solution to an environment that is as fascinating as it is dangerous.
Each Bell & Ross watch is designed to match its specific environment. For divers, Bell & Ross has developed tools that are perfectly suited for underwater exploration. They are capable of effectively assisting divers under all circumstances. Legible, functional, accurate, robust and reliable, they meet the specific demands of professionals on the job.

Bell & Ross has a long history of manufacturing watches for the marine realm. And the watch manufacturer’s marine expertise is the result of the collective experience and the knowledge of its designers, master watchmakers and professional users.
The square diving month has become a collection in its own right and now expands to include two new versions. And today we present the BR 03-92 Diver Black Matte.

The matte black ceramic of the BR 03-92 Black Matte is perfectly in tune with the aeronautical codes so crucial to the Bell & Ross philosophy. In the world of aeronautics, and especially space, ceramic is predominantly used in manufacturing parts that are subjected to very high temperatures, acid attacks, corrosion and erosion. Bell & Ross has reworked the high-tech ceramic and developed a special manufacturing process in its workshops. The result is virtually scratch-proof, pleasant to wear, soft to the touch and thermo-regulated. Almost as tough as a diamond, the ceramic is incredibly hardwearing, non-deformable, lighter than steel and hypoallergenic.
The sober design, black dial, large white numerals, shape of the hands and photoluminescent coating allow immediate reading of the time, in broad daylight as well as in darkness. The BR 03-92 Black Matte is powered by the BR-CAL.302, a reliable automatic movement.

The new BR 03-92 Diver Black Mat reaffirms the brand’s functional and utilitarian approach. With a diameter of 42 mm and a water resistance of 300 m, it is the perfect companion on the wrist of any diver.

Cool Design for Hot Days at Carl F. Bucherer

Carl F. Bucherer just introduced a palette of incomparable blue-hued watches that are perfect for midsummer wear: an azure blue reminiscent of the waters of Lake Lucerne, the deep blue of a cloudless Alpine sky, and the mysterious dark blue of the sky at twilight, poetically referred to as the blue hour. An ode to this radiant array of color, these men’s watches combine elegant style, sophisticated mechanics, and functions perfect for travel and exploration, from dashing across time zones to conquering the depths of the sea.

Patravi TravelTec New Version Blue Mood (PPR/Carl F. Bucherer)

New Edition in Petrol Blue: Patravi TravelTec

When it comes to time travel, the Patravi TravelTec is in a class of its own. This intelligent globetrotter always knows what time it is – in three different time zones. The latest addition to the collection is perfect for summer with its cool petrol blue hue. A mechanical masterpiece outfitted with a robust rubber strap, the new Patravi TravelTec features a three time zone display and chronograph function. It also boasts chronometer certification. A blue ceramic bezel adorns the eye-catching 46.6 mm stainless steel case, which feels cool against the skin, even when the temperatures are soaring.

Patravi ScubaTec Gold Black Dial (PPR/Carl F. Bucherer)

Maritime Style Icons: Patravi ScubaTec

Black and blue combine to stunning effect on the Patravi ScubaTec – a fitting combination for a sophisticated diver’s watch that is capable of experiencing every color of the ocean to a depth of 50 atm. Two models from this collection would make ideal companions during these hot summer months: the ScubaTec in rose gold features a perfect balance of warm and cool tones, while the stainless steel model with a blue dial is cool, modern and sporty all at once. Crafted from black and blue ceramic, the unidirectional rotating diver’s bezel ensures that the dive time can be set safely. The 44.6 mm case is home to an unicolored dial that features a honeycomb pattern, indexes with Super-LumiNova coating, an automatic helium release valve, and a screw-down crown – features that ensure the functionality of the timepiece even while diving to great depths.
The CFB 1950.1 automatic movement is ultra-precise and comes with an official COSC-certification.

Whether you are fulfilling your wanderlust or exploring new heights and depths, these bold Patravi timepieces by Carl F. Bucherer can accompany you through life in all of its dimensions.

Patravi ScubaTec Steel Blue Dial (PPR/Carl F. Bucherer)

Discreet and Sleek: Chrono Diamond Zelya

Recently, Chrono Diamond has added a few new models to its already extensive collection. So we thought it is about time to take a closer look at one of them. We have picked the Zelya, a wonderfully sleek women’s model that, like all other watches from Chrono Diamond, stands for the use of high quality materials and Swiss craftsmanship.

The Chrono Diamond Zelya is the beautiful embodiment of a discreet and slender ladies‘ watch. It couldn’t be more understated. In this timepiece, nothing distracts from the true, most important role of a watch: the display of the time.
Chrono Diamond has furnished the dial with a sunburst finish whose unity isn’t interrupted by a date window or subdials. The Zelya displays hours, minutes and seconds in a classic manner using three central hands and simple applied indices. The company logo is flanked by the two diamonds, characteristic for all Chrono Diamond watches. The dial is protected by a hardened mineral glass.

The Zelya features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 36 mm and a height of only 8 mm. So the watch is on the smaller size and with its short lugs it should fit perfectly on every wrist. The case is waterproof up to 5 atm and thus up to most everyday challenges.
In the case you’ll find a reliable Swiss quartz movement working tirelessly. Opting for quartz made the moderate proportions possible in the first place.
The Zelya is completed by a beautiful and slim Milanaise bracelet.

Chrono Diamond offers a variety of different versions of this watch. It comes not only in a stainless steel version, but also with gold, pink gold or black PVD coating. It can also be chosen between different colored dials; from silver and gold to dark grey and blue. So there should be something for every taste, from plain and simple to a little more sporty and eye-catching.