With its impressive water resistance rating of 50 ATM and a nicely executed cushion-shaped body, the new UTS Adventure GMT diver is the first timepiece from the German brand that can be used not only as a tool but as an accessory, too (of course, only if you don’t mind its hefty weight and the deliberately oversized body, which is around 46 millimeters in width).
When it comes to UTS diving tools, their main selling point has always been about cases. Robust and reliable, they are constructed to withstand the enormous pressure and corrosive properties of seawater.
Even if their case is rated for “only” 1000 or 2000 meters, one can always be certain that there is always that substantial “margin of safety” that won’t let its sapphire crystal crack if you dive beyond the limit.
However, truth be told, UTS founder and owner Mr. Nicolaus Spinner (a professional engineer and a watch collector) has always been more into function rather than form. As a result, his watches have always been like German tanks during the initial phase of WWII: robust, reliable, and comfortable, but not particularly pleasant to look at, especially from the receiving end of the muzzle.
Not anymore!
The Adventure GMT is now closer to an armored Mercedes-Benz G-Class than to the Tiger tank.
The timekeeper is not only rated for depths of up to 500 meters (1650 feet,) but is also elegant (for a diver) and looks like you can wear it not only with a dry-suit or jeans but also with a more formal dress.
Of course, being 15.5 mm in height and 46 mm in width, the Adventure GMT will not be compatible with a normal long-sleeve shirt, but you can always order one with wider cuffs, right?
It also must be said, that the watch looks great even on my, rather skinny, 7.1-inch wrist. Its weight of 160 grams is also not a problem when you get used to it.
Its cushion-shaped case is made of surgical grade 1.4404 satin-finished stainless steel and features an imposing round bezel. For some unknown reason, the latter comes without the usual timer scale and is affixed with hex screws (as are the milled steel lugs 22 mm in width.)
As usual, the dial is highly legible with its hour indexes painted in white Superluminova over a deep black galvanic dial with a Sunray pattern.
Unfortunately, the GMT scale and arrow-shaped extra hour hand are painted with normal red paint that doesn’t draw too much attention when not needed but is also completely invisible in the darkness.
The Adventure GMT is animated by a Swiss-made ETA caliber Valgranges A07-171 with GMT complication. Sporting an official power reserve of 42 hours, the automatic movement is also adjusted to 5 positions (something, that you will rarely find even in this pricing range,) which makes it more accurate than most competitors.
The movement, that shows only basic decor, is perfectly visible through a transparent case back, which is covered with a rather thick sapphire crystal featuring an anti-reflective coating on the inside.
Although the MSRP for the UTS Adventure GMT Diver is set at $4500, you can now order a version on a black rubber strap at more affordable $3648.
A stainless steel bracelet adds to the total hefty, but bearable $299.
See also: MKII Paradive Type 1B Diver with Sapphire Bezel
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Photos: UTS
UTS Adventure GMT specification
Price: MSRP $4500
Movement: Caliber ETA Valgranges A07-171, automatic, Swiss Made
Functions: Hour, minutes, seconds, second time zone (GMT)
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 46.00 mm
Case height: 15.50 mm
Dial: Black galvanic with Sunray pattern
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel, luminous
Water resistance: 500 meters
Strap: Black rubber strap or Stainless steel bracelet
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective treatment (inside)
Back: Sapphire, anti-reflective treatment (inside)