Cartier Calibre Diver Watch

Ready to dive in style? If you had to ask me what Cartier watch I'd want it would probably be something in the Calibre collection. If you had to ask me what Cartier watch I'd want and budget was not an issue, it would probably be the Calibre de Cartier Astrotourbillon. A few years ago in 2010 when the Calibre collection was released, it was to be the brand's new flagship men's model in a round case that also featured the brand's new in-house movement (the caliber 1904MC). While not without its quirks, I enjoyed it right away and the collection became a success.

The original Calibre (reviewed here) was followed up with the Calibre Chronograph from 2013, and for 2014 Cartier will release the Calibre Diver. Here I was expecting the Calibre GMT for 2014 and instead I am surprised with a diver. I am not complaining. Watch lovers like me go gaga for divers and each luxury brand should have one. The idea of a luxury diver is less about actually diving, and more about the idea that you can combine the utilitarian tool watch lover in you with the brand-obsessed fashionista that secretly likes big names. So take one part Cartier and one part dive watch and for some you have a perfect recipe.

Rebellion 540 Magnum Tourbillon Watch

When it comes to cars and watches, there's a definite link. For some brands (be it car or watch) that linkage can be a bit more tenuous, and may consist of a logo swap. For the folks over at Rebellion though, they're taking it to a whole different level. For starters, they've actually got a racing team - one that raced in the Le Mans Series Championship (2011) and FIA World Endurance Trophy for Privateers (2012). This means they're used to creating high-end, precision, lightweight components for their cars. From what I can see of their latest watch, it seems their horology follows in the same footsteps.

The 540 Magnum Tourbillon makes liberal use of materials commonly found in race cars: magnesium; aluminum; titanium; and carbon fiber. Surprisingly, these materials show up in the movement. The mainplate is made of aluminum, while the 3/4 back plate is made from carbon fiber. I've seen plenty of CF dials and even cases, but this is the first time I recall seeing the material used within a movement.

The movement is interesting, aside from the material utilized within. The REB T-14 movement features a 14-day power reserve, which would make for one massive watch rotation interval. The movement also utilizes a 60-second tourbillon, which regulates the power coming from the two mainspring barrels. Large swaths of this movement are visible, as the watch has gone for the "open heart" look. In many ways, it actually looks quite like a dial-free design, due to the visible elements picking up the mechanical look and feel of the bits associated to the movement.

Casio ProTrek PRW3000 Watch

Casio ProTrek PRW3000 in the wild

 

The newest addition to the highly functional ProTrek family is the PRW3000 and it is a jewel with no jewels. As a mechanical watch aficionado I tend not to wear quartz watches... maybe it's snobbish of me or simply it's realizing that with limited time in each day, I just want to have something on my wrist that I appreciate and I find has soul. However, since I am also an active and practical person, I also make three exceptions to this rule: Garmin sports watches; Swatch watches; and Casio watches.

Sports watches have obvious value to me when I wear them. They are extremely useful when doing various sporting activities: cycling; running; swimming and so on, as I love to record and analyze as much data as I can from my activities.

The Swatch watches I sometimes wear is because they remind me of my adolescence as they were the watch to own when I was growing up. Swatches were the current generation's iPhone. I own many of them and a few have survived to this day. But Casio watches I appreciate and wear because they are truly indestructible tool watches with incredible technology packed in tiny sizes with high-utility and style. In this review I take a close, hands-on look and review of the Casio ProTrek PRW3000.

Egard Shade Black Watch

Below is a watch winning reader review from Jesse S. of Los Angeles, regarding the Egard Shade Black timepiece that he won on aBlogtoWatch:

I can tell you the Egard Black Shade limited edition watch fits in well in the city of Los Angeles. Dress codes are a rarity in LA, however, being functional as well as stylish is still the name of the game. The Egard Black Shade watch beautifully captures both of these elusive qualities while working as an elegant dress watch or a casual sport piece.

Founded and designed by Ilan Srulovicz, the Egard brand is new to the watch scene. Egard was formed as a tribute from a son to his father and seeks to, “create inspiring luxury pieces that embody the depth of emotion we each feel for the person in our lives who has defined our own important moments” (seems like a lot of pressure to make a cool watch!). I really enjoy the personal dedication of the brand and the meaning behind the designs presented by Ilan.

Helson Gauge Bronze Watch

Helson is one of those brands that I've often viewed from afar - I've been well aware of them and the love their products have gotten from various watch forums. I say from afar, as I've not had the chance to review any of their seemingly excellent lineup. Today, though, we'll kill two birds with one stone - I've got my first hands-on review of a Helson model, and it also happens to be the first bronze watch I've had on my wrist this year.

Now, if you're even passingly familiar with the Helson lineup, you know that they've created some serious dive watches (as an aside, the dive watch category has a lot of options if you're perusing the micro brands, as it's a popular segment for them to jump into), and the Gauge Bronze is no exception. If you were planning to dive with the watch, you'll be glad to know that it features an automatic helium escape valve and a 1000m water resistance rating, and one of the two straps it comes with is a natural rubber one.

Helson Gauge Bronze Watch

Helson is one of those brands that I've often viewed from afar - I've been well aware of them and the love their products have gotten from various watch forums. I say from afar, as I've not had the chance to review any of their seemingly excellent lineup. Today, though, we'll kill two birds with one stone - I've got my first hands-on review of a Helson model, and it also happens to be the first bronze watch I've had on my wrist this year.

Now, if you're even passingly familiar with the Helson lineup, you know that they've created some serious dive watches (as an aside, the dive watch category has a lot of options if you're perusing the micro brands, as it's a popular segment for them to jump into), and the Gauge Bronze is no exception. If you were planning to dive with the watch, you'll be glad to know that it features an automatic helium escape valve and a 1000m water resistance rating, and one of the two straps it comes with is a natural rubber one.

Omega’s Aqua Terra >15,000 Gauss Watch

We covered news of Omega's anti-magnetic 8508 calibre when it was announced back in January. The movement was shown fitted in an Aqua Terra model which is now available for purchase as the Omega Aqua Terra >15,000 Gauss. Using a special version of Omega's co-axial 8500 series, the >15,000 Gauss is the world's first completely anti-magnetic watch. While other brands have a long history of producing magnetic-resistant watches like the Rolex Milgauss or the IWC Ingenieur, Omega's solution is not to shield the movement but rather to produce the movement using non-ferrous materials.