But this year, the brand brought something cool, modern, bold and technical, with the new Doxa SUB 300 Carbon collection. Of course, you can go for the classic stainless steel version, at least if you’re looking for historical relevance and a more consensual style. This odd, rather unique watch first manufactured in the 1960s has since become an icon for dive watch lovers. The Doxa SUB 300 bears one of the most emblematic designs ever for a dive watch. Quick facts: 46mm Super titanium case – partially shrouded unidirectional bezel with trapezoidal knurling – 200m water-resistant – black gradient dial with trapezoidal pattern – calibre 9051, in-house – automatic, 4Hz, 42h power reserve – black polyurethane strap with extension ripples – EUR 695 Doxa SUB 300 Carbon And at less than 700 euros, it does the job it has been designed for truly well. Inside is the in-house calibre 9051, an automatic movement with reliable construction. It has a brutalist-looking design and a purpose-built tool feeling that truly makes it feel like a piece of diving gear, not like a luxury watch. This chunky, 46mm diameter watch is made of proprietary Super Titanium with Duratect surface-hardening technology. Following a tradition of ultra-robust models started in the early 1980s, this new watch might not be the most elegant, restrained or practical on a daily basis, but it certainly is a watch that can take a serious plunge and perform underwater – as attested by our resident diver-writer Derek in his field review. And the new Promaster Mechanical Diver 200m that has been released this year is certainly a watch that needs to be considered if you’re a serious diver. If you think about accessible but purpose-built watches made to dive into difficult environments, Citizen has to be on your list at a certain point. Quick Facts: 40.3mm polished steel case – unidirectional bezel in sapphire – 300m water-resistant – matte black dial with painted markers – Calibre 1151, in-house – automatic, 3Hz, 100h power reserve with 3 barrels – Tropic-like rubber strap – limited to 500 pieces – EUR 13,180 Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver 200m NB6004 This very cool watch was released as a limited edition of 500 pieces. Under the sapphire caseback is the in-house Calibre 1151 with a 100h power reserve. Also, the dial has been revised with a more instrumental look – painted markers, slight patina – and features, of course, the iconic “No Radiations” logo. It is a modern re-interpretation and features a domed sapphire bezel with finely notched profile and a fully graduated 60-minute scale. This year, the brand launched a new edition, the Blancpain Tribute to Fifty Fathoms No Rad, with a compact 40mm case and a 300m water-resistance. Part of the multiple editions launched over the years, some deserve greater attention, such as the vintage No-Rad model, a watch made for the “Kampfschwimmer”, the elite German frogman commando unit and defined by its “no radiations” logo on the dial. Launched in 1953, it was one of the first ones on the market and it defined the genre. This model remains after all one of the most emblematic and enduring dive watches ever created. It’s not really a surprise to see a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in such a selection. Blancpain Tribute to Fifty Fathoms No Rad If there are other dive watches launched in 2021 that made an impression on you, feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comment section. This list is, of course, non-exhaustive and remains subjective. As part of the “best of 2021” series and following our buying guide on the best chronographs of 2021, here’s our selection of our favourite dive watches launched this year.Įditor’s note: this list reflects the preferences of MONOCHROME’s editorial team and results from an internal vote. This year certainly wasn’t the most prolific in this field, yet we’ve some pretty cool introductions. There’s a good reason behind this popularity, as dive watches, even though not used for the initial purpose, are perfect for weekends or holidays, and are no-brainer choices when it comes to a robust sports watch. Virtually all brands, with only rare exceptions, have embraced the concept and now propose an alternative to the classics that are the Submariner or the Seamaster. Dive watches are among the most popular models available on the market.
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