It’s summertime! Celebrate the warmest season of the year with vibrant timepieces from some of our favourite dive watch brands. Conquer the gloom of the global pandemic as you bask in the sun with these trendy tropical-themed divers currently available in our store! Thinking of a refreshing dip in the pool or planning an outdoor adventure with your family and friends? These exquisite dive watches have got you covered with their great functionality and trendy designs.
As guardians of their own brand ethos, these divers flaunt excellent water resistance and legibility. Dive into the rising trend of dive watch collections offering a wide range of timepieces at reasonable prices that are sure to appeal to any preferences. Check out our top 5 dive watch recommendations that will sneak into your EDC this summer.
Yema
First up is Yema, a well-known French brand that had recently revived its most iconic dive watch model launched in the 60s, the Superman Diver. Besides the incorporation of a practical complication, this watchmaker added a GMT movement to the new Superman GMT and substituted its 60-minute diver bezel with a GMT 24-hour bezel for dual time readings. These upgrades strongly appeal to all globetrotters, from divers and explorers to frequent travelers.
Yema’s new Superman GMTs, boasting a water resistance of 300m, are dreamed up by passionate watch fans and have only become a reality this year. These divers come in three bezel colorways, namely black, khaki green and bi-tone black/gray, with two sizings at 39mm and 41mm that cater to most wrist sizes. Each timepiece comes on a stainless steel bracelet that is both sweat and water-proof, making it a perfect companion for some fun in the sun. Showing off an authentic retro-charm, the Yema Superman GMT is considered to be indestructible and brings you the time of heroes.
Squale
Sharing the spotlight of this French watchmaker is an equally renowned expert in divers from Switzerland, Squale. A maestro in diver horology, Squale’s excellent modus operandi makes it one of the industry’s leading pioneers. Founded by the Von Burens, Squale debuted as a manufacturer, supplying dive watch cases to many popular Swiss brands such as Tag Heuer, Doxa and Blancpain. Now, Squale crafts their own timepieces which are popular among dive watch fans from around the world. Each Squale timepiece is the epitome of a reliable diver and has set the standard in the dive watch genre for many years.
Acquired by the Maggi family (Squale’s trusted Italian distributor) in early 2010, Squale presents refreshing reinterpretations of their phenomenal dive watch collections including the Ref. 1521 50 Atmos skin-divers and the Ref. 2002 101 Atmos Barrel-shaped divers. These timepieces are not merely recreations of a bygone horological era, rather, they are updated with modern manufacturing techniques while maintaining the original 60s look.
To illustrate the appeal of the contemporary twist on Squale’s vintage divers, we take a closer look at the 50 Atmos Ref. 1521. With a sleek L-shaped lug case and a whooping 500m water resistance, this timepiece presents its newest sunburst blue polished variant featuring a slim orange minute hand complemented by a matching orange NATO strap which exudes summer tropical vibes. This modern incarnation of Squale’s 60s skin-divers is a hit amongst dive watch enthusiasts and flaunts a substantial following of its own.
Herodia
Another revived brand popular in the 60s and 70s for its dive watches is Herodia. This Swiss watchmaker is widely known for its production of affordable divers powered by Swiss engines with intricate deco-cases reminiscent of its past models. Founded by Henri Bargenter in 1948, Montres Herodia had produced reliable mechanical watches consistently in the 50s and 60s before going off the grid in the 70s.
In 2018, Herodia made a much-anticipated comeback aided by Squale with the Series 1 collection featuring tonneau-shaped dive watches that hark back to the 70s design trends. A bold collection to reintroduce Herodia to the world, the Series 1 cushion divers thrust this Swiss watchmaker into the limelight by marrying maximum comfort with the functionality and design of famous early diver brands like Doxa and Aquastar. Combining modern precision with retro charm, Herodia’s Series 1 diver collection presents nostalgic vintage timepieces with modern athletic builds. The unique satin-brushed C-shaped tonneau cases, thick-grooved bezels and quirky handsets characterise these Swiss made divers which in turn perpetuate the recreational dive watch market with their excellent value for money.
Seiko
Famed for their timeless dive watch designs since 1965, Seiko needs no introduction. Not only has this Japanese brand established several hallmarks that have made history in the dive watch genre, it also boasts a huge following which is responsible for the familiar nicknames given to its exceptional collections. Seiko’s distinctive divers have made such an impact on the dive watch landscape that the watch industry will definitely look very different without it.
At the forefront of Seiko’s many outstanding line-ups in recent years, the Turtle collection exudes a strong presence in the watch industry till date. Since its revival in 2016, the signature ref. 6309-7040 form of the Turtle timepieces has garnered lots of attention from aficionados all around the globe due to its purposeful feel. Stretching the limitations of vintage reissues, Seiko’s revitalized Turtle divers achieve the perfect balance between old vintage designs and affordable pricings. With a fixed size of 44mm, the cushion-shaped case of each Turtle timepiece is standardised throughout the entire collection. Powered by a reliable 4R36 movement, each timepiece allows for excellent timekeeping and has a neat day and date display. Two of this line-up’s newest additions, coined collectively as the “King” Turtles (SBDY 049 and 051), showcase notable upgrades like a sapphire crystal fitted with a magnifier over the day-date display and a magnificent Clous De Paris guilloché patterned dial.
Furthermore, akin to its Turtle collection, Seiko’s Prospex divers are also incredibly well-executed timepieces that flaunt authentic designs unique to its own heritage. Modernising the build of the Prospex lineup, Seiko stays true to its ethos by constantly innovating and improving to keep up with the times.
Marathon
If you prefer no-frills professional dive watches that aren’t new to the action, look no further as Marathon brings you durable timepieces that can withstand the harshest conditions. With 90% of their watches distributed to government military forces worldwide, this Canadian watch brand is famous for its hardy tool watches. The immense dedication poured into the innovation and development of their timepieces fuels Marathon’s race to meet the strict requirements of state contracts.
Check out the “SAR” collection which stands for “Search and Rescue”, one of Marathon’s dive watch lineups that befits the season. This diver collection comes in three main categories, namely the GSAR (government models sized at 41mm), the MSAR (medium models sized at 36mm) and the JDD (jumbo models sized at 46mm). These heavy-duty divers are all crafted with a well-built steel case and signature tritium gas tubes on their markers and handsets that offer enduring luminescence in the dark. Moreover, the expertise of this watchmaker accounts for its SAR line’s fulfilment of the stringent Swiss manufacturing standards. What’s impressive is that this collection had been chosen for military missions and put to the test on the wrists of military personnel all over the world. Designed in Canada and made to be more robust than ever, Marathon’s SAR collection can definitely withstand rough wear under the hot sun this summer.
Soak in the warm rays of the sun at the beach or during outdoor recreational activities with the vibrant tropical vibes of these timepieces that will fill your summer holiday with brilliant splashes of colours. Find out more at www.gnomonwatches.com and you’ll be walking on sunshine with these superb divers in no time!
