Taking chances with color, experimenting with materials and improving readability, sports-watch makers have introduced an exciting batch of marine-related products this year. Here are four of the best.
1. AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE DIVER: A BRIGHT NEW LOOK
Audemars Piguet is often credited with starting the luxury sports-watch market with its steel Royal Oak, introduced in the 1970s at a price that rivaled gold watches, and its diving watches have always been leaders in the category. This year the company has introduced the 42mm Royal Oak Offshore Diver in a variety of bright color combinations. Water resistant to 300 meters, the Offshore Diver is powered by AP’s caliber 3120 movement and includes a 60-hour power reserve. ($19,000 for white, $19,900 other colors) Susan Wallace, New York boutique manager, 888.214.6858, audemarspiguet.com
2. ROLEX SEA-DWELLER: BY THE PROS FOR THE PROS
To celebrate the Sea-Dweller’s 50th anniversary this year, Rolex has updated this dive watch with a larger case, going from 41mm to 43mm. The sapphire crystal over the dial is slightly thicker and now has a “Cyclops” magnification—an extra piece of crystal—over the date to make it more readable. Water-resistant to 1,200 meters, the Sea-Dweller has always been designed for and with the input of professional divers (in Rolex’s range, only the Deepsea goes deeper, to 3,900 meters). Part of Rolex’s normal production run, the Sea-Dweller uses an in-house movement that has a 70-hour power reserve. ($11,350) 212.758.7700, rolex.com
3. OFFICINE PANERAI LAB-ID LUMINOR 1950 CARBOTECH 3 DAYS: HIGH-TECH INSIDE AND OUT
Long associated with sailing, Panerai turned heads at industry shows this year by introducing this strong yet light sports watch. The 49mm case, dial and even the movement—which features a three-day power reserve—are made using various innovative carbon-composite substances that let the watch function without any lubrication (thus eliminating the need for servicing), says Panerai. That’s a brave claim that the company is backing up with an unprecedented 50-year guarantee. Production of the watch is limited to 50 pieces. ($51,300) Alicia Alizadeh, New York boutique manager, 212.319,1245, panerai.com
4. RESSENCE TYPE 5G: GREATER VISIBILITY
The Ressence Type 5G improves on the brand’s earlier ingenious Type 5—the first mechanical dive watch with liquid inside the case—with a cool new gray dial that’s easier to read. The upper part of the Type 5G is filled with 37.5 ml of oil that eliminates the refraction between the glass and the dial, making the dial readable underwater without any mirror effect, no matter the angle. And for low-light conditions, a luminescent blue pigment lights up the dial markers. The bottom part of the watch, which houses the mechanical movement, is separated from the oil-filled dial by a titanium center plate. ($35,600) ressencewatches.com
