Zenton, a new watch brand dedicated to producing dive watches in limited numbers, has released a few watches with the launch of their new brand. The model is the M45, and it comes in a variety of different color combinations, all which can be customized from dial color and bezel color to left and right hand crown!
The M45 features 2000m water resistance, helium release valve, Swiss ETA 2824-2 movement adjusted to 5 positions, all in a stainless steel 45mm case. I’m curious where these are made, as the site has absolutely no mention of this. This makes me a bit suspicious and leads me to believe they are manufactured in China or somewhere that is less desirable. They are extremely affordable at $888.
Here is a list of the specs:
Bezel diameter 45mm / Lug to lug 53.5mm /
Band 24mm / Height 17mm
2000m water resistant
Automatic helium escape valve
Antimagnetic 80000 A/m
4.3 mm sapphire glass with inside ar coating
MOVEMENT: eta 2824-2 topgrade 5 positions adjusted
Address of Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Swatch Group Ltd. at the Assembly General 2010 of the Swatch Group Shareholders of May 12, 2010, in the Congress Center Basel (Switzerland).
Dubey & Schaldenbrand is quite unique from most other Swiss brands out there, and in my opinion, seems to derive much of it’s inspiration from Chronoswiss (or is it vice versa?). According to the website, D & S is also the only Swiss Watchmaking house to have a woman in charge, Cinette Robert.
I’ve always loved Dubey & Schaldenbrand with their tonneau shaped cases and hidden lugs. They are reminiscent of Franck Muller’s cintree curvex, but still able to create their own identity. I purchased the Aerodyn Date, as the roman numeral dial really called to me. I wish I had bought this watch on a bracelet, as I grew tired of the strap.
The dial is beautifully guilloche finished, which is typical of many of D&S designs. The dials are almost always beautifully textured, and this one is no exception. The deep blue dial is easy to match up, and is a nice relief from the usual white and black dials. This one has no lume, but the Romain numerals are painted on, as are the logo and other markings.
The big date movement in the Aerodyn Big Date is the ETA 2892-A2 with Big Date module. This is a great choice for the watch as it places the big date at the 12 o’clock position instead of the 3 o’clock position that is had with the ETA 2826-2.
One thing I did not like about the Aerodyn Date, and is likely the case with many D&S models is the laser-etched logo on the crown. I would think for this price range a machined logo in the crown is minimum. Ther laser-etched logo is more in-line with watches in the $500 range found in lower-end department stores such as Guess and Fossil.
The back, unlike the crown, is nicely and deeply machined with the logo, model and the serial number. The back is screwed in with 7 screws, and flat satin finished, just like Franck Muller watches. The watch is mounted on a Blue, Crocodile-embossed leather strap with an aftermarket deployant. The Original band is a blue genuine alligator strap, on a D&S Deployany, but I found the original deployant uncomfortable for my smaller wrists. The deployant is positioned slightly too far over on smaller wrists.
Here is a shot of the 33 x 44 mm case on my 6 3/4″ wrist. As you can see, its a beautiful watch and wears wonderfully. You can see the Double-AR coated and curved Sapphire crystal shows the dial beautifully, as does the organically curved stainless steel case. Hope you guys enjoyed the review!
Herbert Nitsch is an Austrian free-diver who has held world records in all of the eight apnea free-diving disciplines recognised by AIDA International. He also kind of looks like Patrik Antonius, the poker player, who also likes to wear Breitling.
He is the current freediving world record champion, and holds the record for deepest dive. He set the current world record in No Limits discipline at a depth of 214m. To date, he has achieved 31 official World Records.
Video review I just posted on Youtube of the Omega Seamaster GMT Auto. This is the black version. Great watch, and very affordable as well. Decent 41.5mm case, and great wrist feel. The only thing is the bezel has that half and half look which I don’t really dig too much. Enjoy!
