The 2011 Mühle Glashütte Marinus GMT (ref. M1-28-53-KB) diver offers the right combination of useful water resistance rating of 30 ATM together with a 24-hour second time zone indication courtesy of a Swiss-made automatic movement. All of that at an affordable price.
Diving
Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Regatta GMT Titanio
Although the unusual Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronze (PAM 382) was the real show-stopper for the 2011 Submersible range, the new Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Regatta 3 Days GMT Titanio (PAM 371) looks like a more rational choice for those looking for an oversized diver from a major brand.
Tissot Seastar 1000 Automatic Chronograph Diver
Tissot once again updates its family of diving companions with a new Seastar 1000 automatic chronograph. Although some find the choice of a cheaper chronograph caliber that animates the piece not particularly inspiring (after all, what’s the longevity of movement is usually the main reason behind buying a mechanical watch,) the gadget still deserves at least some attention thanks to its powerful exterior and relatively low price.
Office Diver: Glycine Lagunare L1000 (3899.18-D9)
The 2011 Lagunare L1000 (Ref. 3899.18-D9) comes at a fairly affordable price and combines robust design and high build quality with an exterior that many potential customers may find elegant: an important thing in the world where most diving timekeepers spend most of their lives under an impeccably white shirt cuff of an office worker. According to Glycine, the diving tool will be available with three versions of the dial: black, white and blue (which, by the way, looks more like turquoise to me.)
Hanhart Primus Chronograph Makes a Lasting Impression
Hanhart is not as well-known outside of Germany as their competitors from Sinn or, say, Mühle Glashütte. Yet, even if they feel uncomfortable about that, I am sure that they still can find solace in knowing that there are not so many independent brands out there that enjoy an as long history of making fine watches as they do. Established in Switzerland back in 1882, Hanhart now operates on the other side of the border in a German town of Gütenbach, Baden-Württemberg. Preparing for its 130th anniversary, the watchmaking specialist will soon present its new collection of chronographs. The sporty Primus Chronograph Diver is one of them.
Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Bronze (PAM 382)
Among the new (and a number of older models that were simply updated with minor touches here and there) models presented at last week’s SIHH 2011 trade show, there also was a gorgeous Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic PAM 382 diver. Having its huge 47 mm case made not of over-hyped ceramic or some other hi-tech material, but of good ole brushed bronze, this new member of 1950 family looks like it was designed exactly for the sort of people who still dream about giant krakens and burning Spanish galleons, and prefer a good goblet of rum to a snifter of cognac.