Out of the Blue: Unconventional Dive Watches to Consider

In the intricate world of horology, where precision meets aesthetics, few watches stand as iconic and functional as dive watches. Their captivating designs fuses engineering marvels with style. Our specialists have picked some unconventional dive watches available now for you to consider – these are not your run-of-the-mill dive watches, full of personality, yet remaining functional and true to its original purpose.

Save the Oceans – Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Azure

The latest additions to Ulysse Nardin’s collection embody the brand’s affinity for the marine world and its commitment to sustainability. Continuing with the use of revolutionary materials, Ulysse Nardin’s new Diver Net Azure is the product of collaborations between the Manufacture and several start-ups. The case is made from Carbonium® (with a 40% lower environmental impact than other carbon composites), Nylo® (recycled polyamide from fishing nets), and 95% recycled steel, a remarkable and unprecedented composition of recycled and low environmental impact materials.

The new Diver Net Azure is powered by the iconic UN-118 movement, fitted with a silicon balance spring, and an escapement wheel and an anchor in DiamonSil. This fine watchmaking piece, water-resistant up to 300 metres, is adorned with blue, highlighting the X on the dial, the display indications, and the markings on the bezel. The rubber strap features the colours of the Ocean too, and continue the maritime feel initiated by the azure markings on the dial.

Explore the Ulysse Nardin Diver collection at The Hour Glass.

No Mirror Reflection Under Water – Ressence Type 5

Legibility is key under water, and refraction on glass is a key issue for divers. Traditionally, diver’s watches under water need to be viewed on straight, otherwise refraction turns glass into a mirror. Ressence addresses this issue by filling the watch with oil inside the Type 5, allowing complete legibility no matter the angle of view – a first for a mechanical watch.

Made from Grade 5 titanium, the lightweight watch has a rounded organic design that guarantees optimum hydrodynamic properties. The crown-free design uses a new case back design developed especially for the Type 5: the Ressence Compression Lock System, or RCLS, has two positions, “lock” and “set”, to lock and compress the gasket and time-setting respectively. Extra strong blue Super-LumiNova ensures readability in all light conditions.

The “Ressence Orbital Convex System” is a state-of-the-art horological complication module composed of 142 parts including the main and sub discs. The patented ROCS 5 is driven by the minute axle of a customized self-winding 2824/2 base calibre. The result is a three-dimensional dial entirely in motion and ever changing. The use of oil has several advantages: it compensates for underwater pressure, and keeps the components constantly lubricated. Being suspended in liquid means it is lighter and requires less power to move, which improves the accuracy of the watch.

Robust and Unique – Sinn U50 DS

Introduced as part of its spring 2023 novelties collection, the new Sinn U50 DS inherits the high-strength, seawater resistant German Submarine steel case and ratcheted rotating bezel paired with TEGIMENT technology for maximum scratch resistance. The irregular machined finish on the dial offers an exciting interplay of colours, giving each watch its own unique identity without impairing readability.

Regarded as a collection of robust and precise tool watches by enthusiasts, the U50 DS has been put through its paces by DNV, with pressure resistance verified and certified to a diving depth of 500m (or 50 bar), and its temperature resistance functionality fully meets European diving equipment standards.

Explore our range of Sinn watches here.

Interested to discover more about dive watches? Visit The Hour Glass and Watches of Switzerland and explore our range of dive watches. You can find our boutiques here.