Speaking the same easily recognizable design language that we have already seen last year when the German brand introduced its “professional” Endurance Neptun 2 1000m diver, the 2012 Limes Endurance Leviathan comes in a slightly larger body but features a more “civil” -more casual if you like- appearance thanks to the new bezel that, while being less ahem technocratic, is still ergonomic thanks to its prominent notches providing easy grip, as well as the familiar Rolex-style diving scale that makes it easier to use the watch as rudimentary timer not only deep underwater but also doing more mundane tasks, like cooking eggs and this sort of things.
Despite being noticeably less “pro” in its appearance, the new Leviathan 300M still offers a more than adequate water resistance rating of 300 meters, which makes it a suitable diving companion for the majority of scuba diving enthusiasts.
At less than 45 mm in diameter, it is not large and is also relatively slim measuring only 13.5 millimeters in height. Unlike many other relatively small brands, Limes makes cases for their timekeepers (as well as for its sister brand Archimede) on its own premises, so, the case features a non-generic, even unique shape.
Although there is something rough behind all those angles, I actually like the way the case is sculpted. However, for the price, I would probably expect a couple of touches of elegance here and there. Heck, even a strip of mirror polish on the bezel would be fine with me, but, well, no such luck.
Crafted from stainless steel, the body lacks any superfluous decoration and offers you a set of angular, machine-brushed surfaces that somehow remind you of the deadly, heavyweight beauty of the Tiger tank.
As you may already know, a couple of years ago ETA announced its decision to stop supplying third-party watchmakers with its own blank movements and started to pull out from the market.
As a result, only this year alone, prices for ETA movements grew as much as 70 percent forcing independent brands to look for more affordable alternatives. Like many recently introduced timekeepers, the new Endurance Leviathan is powered by Sellita SW200 automatic caliber.
The caliber offers the same level of functionality, runs for pretty much the same 38-40 hours after being fully wound, and is already well-known among servicemen all over the world, so I don’t think that this is a big deal.
Compared to the aforementioned Neptun 2, the new Leviathan features the same basic styling of the dial, but now sports noticeably shorter hour markers and has the original pointy-shaped hands replaced with stubby ones. Somewhat surprisingly, the combination resulted in not only a more laconic but also a more elegant design making the toll look more expensive than it is.
According to the German brand, the Leviathan 300M is competitively priced at just €995. For the money, you will get the watch on a comfortable black rubber band. Spending €200 more, you will get it on an even more appealing stainless steel bracelet. Nice, but still a bit on the expensive side.
See also: Archimede SportTaucher Semi-Pro Diver (Ref. UA8974-A1.4)
Photos: Limes
Limes Endurance Leviathan 300M specification
Price: €995 – € 1195 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, caliber Sellita SW200, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 26
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 38 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 44.50 mm
Case height: 13.50 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic (on the bezel)
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Steel, luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet or a black rubber strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, engraved