Deep dive into diving watches
Summer is set with Frank Sans C and his selection of diving-ready watches. Deep dive into diving watches by G-Shock, Herbelin, Longines, Ice Watch, Frérot-Roy and Zanetti.
G-SHOCK, GWF-A1000APF
The G-Shock GWF-A1000APF is a frogman’s watch in many ways, with its atypical design inspired by the skin of a poison dart frog.
venomous poison dart frog from the Amazon forest.
The bright shades of this venimous species of batracian from the Amazon forest intimidate predators in a colourful palette of black, orange and blue. A fascinating frog in the wild captured by G-Shock to create a special edition of the Frogman Master of G for its 30th anniversary. The bezel, crafted in a material made of carbon fibres and laminated glass, displays a random pattern. Achieved through a special technique, this pattern is unique to each piece.
of carbon fibres and laminated glass on the bezel.
The colours are the same throughout the dial, the crown and the pushers of the watch – which is water-resistant up to 200m. Shoutout to the eye-catching strap in ultra-resistant fluoroelastomer, sprayed in polarised coating. It changes colours with each movement of the wrist, which emulates the frog’s dotted skin. This professional diver frog adorns the caseback. Fish better watch out for the queen of the pond.
of the Frogman.
€1,100
Click here to read the GWF-A1000APF technical specifications.
G-SHOCK, MRG-BF1000R
G-Shock Frogman models are numerous but never the same. The MRG-BF1000R model is water-resistant up to 200m thanks to the incorporation of fluored rubber elements into the components of the case, which increases shock-resistance and water resistance.
Thanks to the use of titanium, this streamlined watch is light, tough and corrosion-resistant. At the back, the screwed-in sapphire crystal caseback celebrates the Frogman collection with intense blue vapor coating engraved with the iconic diver frog. Last but not least, the G-Shock mobile app can inform you of the tide in more than 3,000 world locations as well as provide a diving diary and many more functions.
€5,000
Click here to read the MRG-BF1000R technical specifications.
HERBELIN, Newport Heritage Diver
French watchmaking Maison Herbelin took inspiration from a 1970s diving instrument for its elegant-sports Newport Heritage Diver.
(42 x 42 mm).
With its 300-m water resistance, unidirectional notched bezel, luminescent hands and indices and screwed-in crown and caseback, this watch is cut-out for any deep submarine adventure or extreme sports. Including nautical sports, which this 316L-steel edition references several times: the blue ceramic bezel emulates the shape of a porthole and the crown displays an engraved ship’s helm.
Sellita automatic calibre.
This all-around sports-chic model comes with a sun-brushed blue dial and a matching blue strap in elastomer. The latter bears an unfolding clasp and an extension for an easier wear on a diving suit. At the heart of this diving watch, designed in the Maison’s workshops in the Jura moutains of the French Franche-Comté, a fine Swiss-Made automatic movement (Sellita) provides an approx. 38-hour power reserve.
€1,349
Click here to read the Newport Heritage Diver full technical sheet.
LONGINES, HydroConquest GMT
The iconic HydroConquest collection of diving watches by Longines went through youth therapy with its first ever GMT function since it was launched in 2007. This watch line for globetrotter frogmen includes four different sun-brushed, coloured dials: green, brown, black or blue.
and H-shaped links.
Each dial also displays a 24-hour-scale rehaut for the second time zone. This historical complication first appeared on a wristwatch by the Maison of the winged hourglass in 1925. The 41-mm, steel HydroConquest GMT is a great combination of vintage design and modern technique, with all the features of a diving instrument. Rotating unidirectional notched bezel, screwed-in crown and caseback, hands and indicies coated in luminescent material for optimum visibility at great depths, and 300-m water resistance.
This model houses the automatic Calibre L844.5 with an anti-magnetic, silicon balance spring and a 72-hour power reserve. Shoutout to the H-link bracelet, which is both ergonomic and comfortable to wear. Moreover, each coloured dial has a second option of strap colour and material: a matching rubber strap for the black or blue models, and a NATO strap for the khaki and beige versions.
€3,100 with steel bracelet or rubber strap / €3,000 with NATO strap
Click here to read the Longines HydroConquest GMT technical specifications.
ICE WATCH, Ice Chrono
The Ice Chrono is the epitome of holiday watches with its quartz movement and explosive colourful design. These poppy, cheeky shades adorn the wrist with the perfect summer look. The whole My Watch team fell in love with the attractive, 40-mm Deep Green version and its intense green dial. As for the case and bracelet, the Maison used bioplastic, a transparent biosourced material which gives a glimpse of the wearer’s tan skin. For a sportier look, the Deep Blue model unsurprisingly comes with a deep blue silicone bracelet which matches the sun-brushed, snailed dial to a T. Both versions are water-resistant up to 100m. A perfect choice to hang out by the pool or enjoy a swim in the ocean. However, it is not made for practicing extreme water sports which may cause severe damage to the watch.
€119
Click here to read the Ice Chrono Deep Green technical specifications.
Click here to read the Ice Chrono Deep Blue technical specifications.
FRÉRET-ROY, Sub Ocean Jumbo Chrono
The Maison Fréret-Roy unveiled a Sub Ocean Jumbo Chrono watch in 316L steel in a limited edition of 30 pieces. This chronometer, with a large 46.5-mm diameter, displays a slightly “tanned” anthracite grey dial. The slight opening gives a glimpse of the inner workings of the Valjoux 7750 automatic calibre. The calibre – with alternating grained and circular finishes – powers three counters and a date at 4:30. The instrument is water-resistant up to 200m and delivered with a matching rubber strap. For a sportier look, the watch also comes with a trendy orange rubber strap or a timeless khaki rubber strap.
Starting from €3,750
Showstopper
ZANNETTI, Scuba Piranha
When Métiers d’Art meet diving watches, you get the Scuba Piranha from the Scuba Art collection. This 51-mm model was designed by founder of the watchmaking Maison Ricardo Zannetti, a Roman artist and goldsmith who uses atypical materials such as “corozo” (vegetable ivory) or fossilised Siberian mammoth ivory in his work. The watch displays an entirely hand-painted and hand-crafted dial. The piranha, made in champlevé enamel on a natural mother-of-pearl background, stares angrily, ready to jump at any given moment to swallow you whole. It will doubtless protect its owner from any other predator during a dive. With its helium valve – very useful for saturation diving – the instrument is water-resistant up to 500m.
€8,750
FOR SALE AT FRÉRET-ROY – 30, rue Danielle Casanova, Paris 2nd arrondissement.
See also:
Read also: