Dive Watches · Page 29

How Ulysse Nardin’s Freak-Mentality Has Taught the Industry to Keep Watchmaking Forward-Thinking and Fun

When Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Freak in 2001, it set off a chain of events that forever changed the course of history for the brand and for the industry at large. The model seamlessly flexed a combination of technical and design achievements. The Freak offered material innovation that was far ahead of its time, introducing the use of silicon in the escapement wheels-a technology that is now used by almost every major watch brand from Rolex to Patek Philippe, Girard-Perregaux, Breitling, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, just to name a few. It also presented an entirely new set of aesthetic codes for watch design with an expression of time that notably lacked a traditional dial, hands, or crown. With the Freak’s overall success, it immediately established the brand as a thought leader, an innovator, and (perhaps most importantly) a rebel in an industry often paralyzed by its reverence and steadfast commitment to tradition.  In the nearly 25-years since the first Freak, we have seen Ulysse Nardin infuse this spirit in each subsequent Freak model and its catalog at large-from the Blast collection to its UFO clocks and, most recently, in its record breaking Diver [Air], the world’s lightest mechanical dive watch.  The first Freak We all know record setting has become a bit of a thing in watchmaking. Particularly in the past decade or so, we have witnessed brands embark on the race to claim the next world record title. Since 2014, Bulgari has set a whopping ten for the ultra-thi...

Owner’s Review: the Second Hour Mandala Mk3

If you were to ask any of my coworkers or friends about my style when it comes to watches, the words “tactical,” “diver,” and “tool” would likely come to mind. It’s no secret that I have an affinity for watches with more utility than just telling time, and a good clicky bezel might be my favorite fidget toy of all time. As someone who has had a preference for black and olive drab colors for years, when I dove into watches, it seemed like black and sometimes blue were the only colors available, especially at the price range I considered spending on a watch. That said, as I’ve learned more about watches and discovered some interesting microbrands making bold and adventurous divers, I also realized that if I wanted something more colorful, I’d have a lot of options if I expanded my reach to non-diver sports watches. With the growing number of stealthy items in my collection, I’ve wanted to add something to my collection that you might describe as “flashy” to balance things out a bit. Working to break this mold that I’ve created for myself, I wound up coming across the Mandala Mk3 by Second Hour Watches, and thought that it might make an interesting addition to my collection of tactical and tool focused pieces. In fact, when I wore this watch home from the office for the first time, my girlfriend immediately remarked, “That isn’t a watch I’d expect you to wear, but I like it,” and that’s exactly the reaction I was hoping for. Before I dive i...

Fratello On Air: What Exactly Is A Summer Watch?

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! Please forgive us for the tardy release, but Balazs is traveling far away on the west coast of Canada. This week, we discuss the idea of a summer watch. Normally, this topic inspires lists of dive watches, but we take a slightly different track. Enjoy! This […] Visit Fratello On Air: What Exactly Is A Summer Watch? to read the full article.

Hands-On With The Reworked HTD Aquatíc Bicchierini And SpaceBoy Dive Watches

Italian brand HTD has been gracing us with cleverly updated versions of its releases, and the two Aquatíc dive watches are the next in line. These retro-styled divers first came out in 2021 and turned out to be popular with fans. Four years later, the cases of both watches have been redesigned to be slimmer, […] Visit Hands-On With The Reworked HTD Aquatíc Bicchierini And SpaceBoy Dive Watches to read the full article.

The Best Dive Watches (2026)

For everyone from the most passionate watch collector to the total watch novice, dive watches are one of the most popular timepiece categories - despite the fact that almost no one goes diving with a watch. So what gives? Why should regular people on the street want a watch originally designed for use as a tool in the ocean’s murky depths? For most of us, the enduring popularity of dive watches stems from several factors: Because dive watches obviously need to be water-resistant, they are as a rule over-engineered and solidly built, making them more than stout enough for rough-and-tumble everyday wear on dry land. Since divers require at-a-glance legibility underwater, dive watches also tend to have some of the cleanest dial designs. Finally, dive watches are culturally associated with a strong sense of cool, from James Bond’s Omega Seamaster, to Steve McQueen’s Rolex Submariner, all the way to the military watches worn by U.S. Navy SEALs. Whether you’re a "desk diver" or actually want to get your watch wet, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 62 of the best dive watches on the market - from entry-level to well into the world of luxury in price range. Of course, the usual suspects are in here, but we're also aiming to share some new pieces with you. Before the keyboard aquanauts attack, let me state upfront we’re looking at both professional-level dive watches, i.e., meeting the ISO 6425 specifications, as well as "dive-style" watches here. Enjoy. Casi...

Deeper, Further, Faster: Why do Some Dive Watches have Helium Escape Valves?

Humans have long had a fascination with the depths of the ocean, striving to go ever deeper, ever further, and ever faster by pushing the limits of the human body, technology, and advancing modern science. But like all things, we are often faced with limits. And the helium escape valve was invented to push one of those limits as watchmaker Ashton Tracy explains.

Sunday Morning Showdown: Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” Vs. Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater Edition

It’s Sunday morning, so it’s time for another heated Sunday Morning Showdown. Two recently released summer divers take center stage in this week’s battle. The first is the colorful Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue.” The watch reintroduces the aesthetic of the 1990s Tudor Submariner ref. 79190 with its mirror-polished bezel. It is combined with […] Visit Sunday Morning Showdown: Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” Vs. Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater Edition to read the full article.

Christopher Ward brings the summer heat with the new C60 Trident Reef

With five summery colours, two different sizes, and two strap options to choose from, this diver has something for everyone.The post Christopher Ward brings the summer heat with the new C60 Trident Reef appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The Most Expensive Rolex Watches

Admit it, you’re here because you googled “Most Expensive Rolex Watches” in the hopes of gathering up some horological bar trivia, right? No? You say you’re here because you really, truly are interested in buying one of the most expensive watches Rolex currently puts out? Well, good news. We’ve updated this article to incorporate both.  Photo: Sotheby's Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex is today the most globally recognized Swiss luxury watch brand, one of the leading innovators in the watch industry from the 20th Century to today, and the maker of some of the most popular and coveted watch models in the world, from gents’ classics like the Datejust and Day-Date to sport-luxury icons like the Submariner, Daytona, and GMT-Master. As one might expect with such a horological pedigree, Rolex watches have also become some of the most valuable watches on the secondary and auction markets, with the most elite and exclusive pieces selling for $1 million or more. (Disclaimer: obviously, for the most avid and well-connected Rolex customers, it is the legendary “off-catalog” models - like the "Rainbow Daytona" pictured above - that both project the most mythical aura of exclusivity and command the most stratospheric prices. The problem with accurately reporting on which of them is really the “Most Expensive” is built into their rarity: such models change hands without an actual MSRP ever being declared publicly, and whatever that original purchase pric...

Fratello’s Top 5 Smaller Dive Watches For Summer 2025

Another Friday, another list. Unfortunately, Jorg, our resident list maker, is out on a well-deserved holiday. That means I get to cosplay Mr. Weppelink for once. I will do my best to do him justice with a list of my own. This week, it’s about our top five smaller dive watches! So, what is a […] Visit Fratello’s Top 5 Smaller Dive Watches For Summer 2025 to read the full article.

A Closer Look: Omega Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026

Hands-On With The New 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - Is This The Perfect Size?

Many enthusiasts have been crying out for a smaller Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Many were also disappointed when Blancpain obliged with two female-targeted models last week. Today, however, we see the range completed with 38mm non-gendered models. I got a chance to go hands-on with the new 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Here’s how we got along! […] Visit Hands-On With The New 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - Is This The Perfect Size? to read the full article.

Introducing – Omega Launches The Seamaster Aqua Terra 30mm Collection with New Master Chronometer Movements

Omega releases a new sub-collection of its Seamaster Aqua Terra in 30mm cases with metal bracelets spread across 12 references. A classic all-rounder, the 30mm Aqua Terra models are powered by two new in-house automatic movements. Designed to fit the smaller case size, calibre 8750 and 8751 are the smallest and slimmest co-axial Master Chronometers […]

Fratello On Air: Breaking Down A Flurry Of New Dive Watch Releases

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! We’ve been away for a while, but we’re here and talking about new releases. In particular, we’re discussing the barrage of dive watch announcements from multiple brands. As always, expect candid commentary and a bit of fun! This podcast player is blocked because you did not […] Visit Fratello On Air: Breaking Down A Flurry Of New Dive Watch Releases to read the full article.

Introducing: The New Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 30mm With A New Movement

Today, Omega introduces a new selection of Seamaster Aqua Terra watches for ladies. They feature a new 30mm case and an in-house-developed self-winding movement. Thus far, Omega’s smallest Aqua Terra measures 28mm but comes with a quartz movement. The self-winding Aqua Terra models used to be 34mm and larger. This new small Aqua Terra 30mm […] Visit Introducing: The New Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 30mm With A New Movement to read the full article.

Hands-On: The Tudor Black Bay 54 "Lagoon Blue"

It's Small Dive Watch Summer!

Seiko SSK023 Review

Let's begin this review of the Seiko 5 GMT Sports SSK023 with a spirited chant: "NWA! NWA!" No, I’m not the hype man for the groundbreaking ‘90s hip-hop act. It’s a New Watch Alert, and all kidding aside, I went and bought a watch, something I haven’t done since I picked up my Doxa Sub 200T Divingstar last year. In spite of my attraction to that yellow-dialed wrist magnet, there’s a new contender in my regular rotation, and it’s not Swiss. Nope, I’ve gone and picked up a new Seiko 5 GMT Sports model, and it’s getting an awful lot of my attention. I’ve fallen hard for the SSK023, probably the most basic four-hander in the Japanese brand's catalog, and I couldn’t be happier. Now, this is hardly my first Seiko rodeo. I’m a longtime fan whose gateway was an old-school 6309-7049, the famed "Turtle" dive watch, discovered by my wife in a mom & pop jewelry store for a mere hundred bucks. It’s not even my first Seiko 5 spin around the block, and I’ve got the SNXJ89, Seiko’s budget take on a classic silver-dialed Datejust, to prove it. However, it is my first Seiko 5 Sports watch with the new-era logo. Prior to the SSK023, I did snag the 55th Anniversary LE, the SRPK17, and it’s everything it’s advertised to be, with its note-perfect re-creation of the very first Seiko 5 Sports model from 1968. That tonneau-cased beauty is a banger, down to the original Seiko 5 shield logo, but the SNK023 represents my first real dip into the modern Seiko 5 pool, and...

Blancpain Expands The Fifty Fathoms 38mm Lineup In New Metals And Black And Blue Dials

Introducing: The 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

On the heels of last week's mother-of-pearl dials "for her," the brand unveils a litany of versatile divers in steel, titanium, and red gold "for every wrist."

Introducing – The Bremont Supermarine 500m, now in Stainless Steel

With Davide Cerrato at the helm, British brand Bremont has streamlined its collections into three thematic outdoor arenas: Land (Terra Nova), Sea (Supermarine) and Air (Altitude). Bremont’s Supermarine dive watch collection underwent a radical makeover and resurfaced as the Supermarine 300 in 40mm cases, followed by the formidable Supermarine 500m in larger 43mm cases. First […]

Tudor Introduces The Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue”

First Look – The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatic, now Available in Compact 38mm Cases

One of the earliest dive watches, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms has long been one of the most emblematic models available on the market. In 2007, the classic Fifty Fathoms Automatique (ref. 5015) arrived with its large (even oversized) 45mm case and calibre 1315 – two fundamental elements of the permanent collection. And this size has […]

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

[This feature article has been updated to incorporate the newest models – including the new 42mm and 38mm sizes – in the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms collection as of 2025. Prices listed are current as of this article's posting but subject to change.] Founded in 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland, Blancpain is the oldest luxury watchmaker in the world, full stop. The 287-year-old manufacture, now headquartered in Le Brassus in the Swiss Vallée de Joux, has an uninterrupted history of producing horological complications but its most iconic timepiece in this modern era began its life as a tool watch for military divers in the (relatively) recent year of 1953. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, however, is not just any tool watch; it’s recognized as one of the foundational examples of the modern dive watch, helping to establish a template that many others would follow. Today, it’s the foundation for a vast and versatile collection within the Blancpain portfolio - despite the fact that the watch almost didn’t make it out of the 1970s.  DIVING INTO HISTORY The quest to make a watch water-resistant enough for diving was already well underway when Jean-Jacques Fiechter, then-CEO of Blancpain, began working on the watch that would become the Fifty Fathoms. Rolex had developed the water-resistant Oyster case in 1926, which paved the way for watches such as Panerai’s Radiomir in 1936, which combined a waterproof case with a luminous dial for the underwater missions of the Italian n...

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms range reaches new depths with the Automatique 38mm

Is this the Goldilocks-sized Fifty Fathoms release everyone has been waiting for?The post The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms range reaches new depths with the Automatique 38mm appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.