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Some polished, some brushed, some with accents of colour others in a functional mono-tone and some made with precious metals compared to the stark, cold stainless steel of its siblings. All begs one big question, are these watches tools, or jewels?
Rolex Submariner Date-116610LV: Introduction As far as icons of the watch industry go, the Rolex Submariner is in a class of its own. For many years now the famous model has been arguably the most sought after watch ever made. Demand has not slowed down. Take a look at the Submariners that are cast from … Continue reading Rolex Submariner Date (116610LV) and Tudor Heritage Black Bay (79230G): Hands on review & comparison
Perhaps one of the most charming watches on this list and one of the more popular items available from our shop - the Oris Divers Sixty-Five is a great example of a brand updating a classic design with modern materials and manufacturing techniques; replacing a coated brass casing with stainless steel, and a plexiglass crystal with a more modern sapphire crystal.
Tag Heuer's offering of a more wallet friendly automatic diving watch, with a ceramic bezel, is the Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph [cay211b.ba0927]. In Tag's lineup, it this watch straddles the gap between the entry quartz aquaracers and the 500m Automatic Chronograph Aquaracers (which have more than a passing resemblance to the Omega Seamaster 300m Diver Co-Axial Chronograph 42mm watch collection).
Omegas offering for a tough diving watch with a chronograph function comes in the form of this Planet Ocean 600m Co-Axial Chronograph. In order to appeal to a large number of audiences the watch is available in a few different colour options, strap types, and even includes a couple of variants set with a ring of 42 diamonds, constructed from titanium, or an 18kt rose gold case option - which weighs in at just over £20K (at the current RRP).
Cartier's dive watch may be a tool watch - but it's a very sophisticated one at that. The Calibre de Cartier Diver is a capable dive watch whilst simultaneously looking great with more dressy appearance compared to its competitors.
If for whatever reason you don't want a Rolex then take a look at the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. It's water resistant to the usual 300m, is a more comfortable 43mm wide (and 13.40mm deep) and even includes a transparent case back, which is a feature less often found on dive watches; though, this may be due to the increased thickness they give a watches case, the perceived weakness that they give and the additional cost involved.
The dive watch is a type of watch that really encapsulates what it is to be a luxury watch. It's simultaneously a functional piece of specialist equipment, needing to survive the punishing environment of being dragged down deep underwater, while still telling the time: but, they are typically built to extravagant specifications, being water resistant to 10 or even 100 times deeper than people will actually dive down to in reality. Few people will ever test these dive watches to their full capabilities!
![Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust II: Hands-On Review [116300 Silver Index] - Watch on its side with its crown up and time set to ten past ten](https://thewatchsourceblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/rolex-oyster-perpetual-datejust-ii-hands-on-review-116300-silver-index-1.jpg?w=648)
The Oyster Perpetual DateJust II is one of Rolex's most horologically simple watches, with the only added complication being a simple date function. This Iconic watch has a striking presence on the wrist but is less blingy and showy than other Rolex's; the watch commands a high level of respect without appearing overly flamboyant. The Oyster Perpetual DateJust II is one of Rolex's most horologically simple watches, with the only added complication being a simple date function. This Iconic watch has a striking presence on the wrist but is less blingy and showy than other Rolex's; the watch commands a high level of respect without appearing overly flamboyant.
![Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter 47mm: Hands-On Review [01 733 7705 4134-07 5 23 14FC] - Dial close up with watch on its side with crown up and venting crown activated](https://thewatchsourceblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/orisc2a0big-crown-propilot-altimeter-47mm-hands-on-reviewc2a001-733-7705-4134-07-5-23-14fc-17.jpg?w=648)
This mountainous 47mm wide Oris is truly gigantic in size at a whopping 47mm wide and has a substantial 17.7mm case depth. It is not only Oris's first watch of its kind; but, 'the world's first automatic watch with a mechanical altimeter'.
