VintageVDB 2012 PROTO's

By TLex We finally have some better images of the VintageVDB 2012 prototypes, two outstanding looking watches that are available in two finishes, bead-blasted or PVD.

The PVD finish seems a deeper black than I had originally thought it would be, so it really allows the orange markers to pop.

This model will house a NOS A. Schild AS1920 Automatic movement.

Check out the enormous lume pips and the engraved lugs, very cool!

The watches are due to ship in September. They will come in special green presentation boxes.

Follow the the VintageVDB icon below for further info. and stay tuned for more updates soon . . .

MIDO Ocean Star Captain IV DIVER PVD

By TLex An unassuming looking diver gets a new look! The Ocean Star Captain IV DIVER is now available in PVD. Its 42.5mm case is in black PVD coated Stainless steel with a water-resistance of 200 meters. It fitted with an AR-coated Sapphire crystal and houses a Swiss made automatic ETA caliber 2836-2 with 25 jewels, 28,000 vph and a power reserve of 38 hours. MSRP is 1100USD.

HUBLOT Oceanographic 4000 King Gold WHITE

By TLex HUBLOT unveil the Oceanographic 4000 King Gold White. Its 48mm case is constructed of 'King Gold', consisting of 18K gold with 5% of platinum, which Hublot say gives it its special intense red color. The lug bezel and lateral inserts are made from white composite resin. The case back is constructed from Titanium.

The watch is limited to 100 pieces, which means that HUBLOT either believe that there are potentially 100 men with questionable enough taste to dare to wear such a watch or, that there are a 100 ladies who would rock such a watch!

Don't however be fooled by its looks, this version like all Oceanographic 4000's is certified to 400 ATM or 4'000 meters and was tested to 5'000 meters in accordance to the NIHS standards.

HUBLOT King Power 48MM OCEANOGRAPHIC 4000 PressureTEST

By TLex When HUBLOT tested the Oceanographic 4000 they used a state of the art pressure testing tank, the Swiss made Roxer RXF 500, which can test up to 500 bar, the equivalent of 5'000 meters of water-resistance.

In order to meet the exacting specifications of the NIHS international standards of Swiss watchmaking and to be properly described as a dive watch with a 4'000m depth rating, the Oceanographic was submerged and pressurized to 5'000 meters, an additional 25% of its stated water-resistance.

To ensure the water-tightness of the watch and resist such extreme pressure, a 6.5mm thick synthetic sapphire crystal was used. Much thicker than normal, but of a fairly reasonable thickness given its level of resistance.

The case back of the Oceanographic is screw-down, a sine qua non for reaching such depths. It is constructed of Grade 2 Titanium, an extremely strong stainless material. The watch is fitted with two screw-down crowns, a protective measure that helps ensure water-resistance by compression of an O-ring seal.

Since its release in 2011 HUBLOT have released a further five versions of the Oceanographic 4000. Discover the Oceanographic 4000: Carbon, Only Watch, All Black Blue, Alinghi and the Gold White. Yet to be officially released is the Oceanographic 1000.   

PROMETHEUS Manta Ray OceanicTime LE

By TLex The PROMETHEUS Manta Ray OceanicTime LE in stealthy black DLC coated Titanium. Limited to 25 pieces.

No Furthers details are available yet, I'm afraid!

Alessandro Baldieri MAGNUM 48 GunBLACK

By TLex Presenting the MAGNUM 48 GunBlack from Alessandro Baldieri. Its case is finished in black PVD. Its graphite dial is with Titanium indexes.

Click HERE to see the Magnum 48 Coffee 'n' Chocolate, watches not ice-creams!

MAURICE LACROIX Pontos S RED

By TLex One of the nicest looking divers released this year (for the money) is the Pontos S from Maurice Lacroix. Here it is in RED . . .