For a diver's watch, 300-meter water resistance is enough to cope with most usage scenarios. However, as far as the current situation is concerned, watches with a water resistance rating of more than 1,000 meters still occupy a considerable proportion. In particular, in recent years, the upper limit of the performance of mass-produced diver's watches has jumped significantly from 3,900 meters to 11,000 meters, and there is still a trend of continuous improvement. In fact, as an important stage for manufacturers to show their technical strength, the strategic significance of the deep diving watch is far greater than the practical significance. In the past, the first brands that came to mind when players mentioned such products were Rolex and Omega, and the arms race between the two major manufacturers in this field has been going on since the last century. And this year, Montblanc, a brand of the Richemont Group, also participated in the competition for deep diving watches. The products launched by these major manufacturers firmly hold the TOP3 position.
Here I would like to emphasize the definition of "TOP3": first, they come from mainstream brands, and niche manufacturers and independent watchmakers are not included; secondly, they are all products that ordinary consumers can buy at this stage, which excludes historical models and discontinued models; Last but not least, it must be a standard production watch. Unique tables, concept tables, experimental tables, and any "PPT tables" that have not been seen are inconsistent with the main purpose.
Rolex Deep Sea Challenge
According to the above standards, the current industry NO.1 comes from Rolex. In 2022, Rolex unveiled the "Ghost Emperor" Deep Sea Challenge, water-resistant to 11,000 metres, surpassing the previous record set by the Omega Ocean Planet Ultra Deep and becoming the highest performance of a production diver's watch on sale.
Deep Sea Challenge with the 1960's prototype table
11,000 meters is the depth of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on Earth, which means that the game can freely enter and exit any water. In fact, as early as the 60s of the last century, Rolex developed an experimental watch that could dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, but this sample was too exaggerated in size to be destined for mass production. After more than 60 years of great advances in watchmaking technology, a series production model with an optimized appearance: the Deepsea Challenge, is launched.
Domed mirror and case thickness
To achieve such aggressive performance, the Rolex Deepsea Challenge uses an RLX titanium (grade 5 titanium) case, which is lightweight, compression-resistant and corrosion-resistant, perfectly suited to the needs of a deep diver's watch. However, considering the strength of the material, the diameter of the watch still reaches 50mm, and the thickness of 23mm is difficult to say comfortable to wear - and this is the biggest controversy of this work.
欧米茄海洋宇宙Ultra Deep 6000米专业潜水表
In contrast, the OMEGA Planet Ocean Ultra Deep 6000M is a much more reasonable piece of work that balances performance and experience in the "everyday wear" range. In terms of size, the Planet Ocean Ultra Deep has a 45.5mm titanium case and a thickness of 18.1mm, which is not much different from many kilometer-level diver's watches, but this is a performance monster with a water resistance rating of 6,000 meters.
In the first half of 2022, just before the launch of the Rolex Deepsea Challenge, the OMEGA Planet Ocean Ultra Deep was once at the top of the production diver's watch, but this record was quickly surpassed by Rolex, and this is only half a year later. Despite losing the number one spot, the Omega Planet Ocean Ultra Deep is still the best performer to date.
欧米茄海洋宇宙Ultra Deep Professional
Both of the aforementioned titles revolve around the word "mass production", and many players may wonder where the performance ceiling of the concept table is. In fact, as early as 2019, the Omega Ocean Planet Ultra Deep Professional pushed the limit of water resistance to 15,000 meters. The craft was fixed outside the submersible and successfully dived to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, where it returned safely after 12 hours of baptism. The Ocean Planet Ultra Deep 6000m is the "simplified" and "optimized" version of the game.
Montblanc Glacier Diver Anaerobic 4810m Special Edition
In the past, only two major brands, Omega and Rolex, competed in the field of deep diver's watches. And this year, Montblanc, part of the Richemont Group, also joined the competition. The Glacier Diver Anaerobic 4810m Diver Special Edition, with the number "4810", pays homage to the original meaning of the Montblanc word: the altitude of Mont Blanc. In fact, it is difficult to be accurate to the smallest unit of 10 in the water-resistance of a watch, so the actual performance of the watch may be much more than that, and it is obviously more symbolic.
Titanium case with anodized aluminium insert
This model uses a 43mm titanium case with a thickness of 19.4mm. Although it is not as thick as the Omega Ocean Planet Ultra Deep 6000m, its 43mm diameter is the most compact of its kind, and the front is indistinguishable from many kilometer-class diver's watches.
The "glacial pattern" disc is a major feature of the collection
At the same time, the game also uses the "Zero Oxygen" process. This is a technological innovation of Montblanc in recent years, which has now moved from the 1858 series of mountaineering watches to diver's watches. This technology minimizes the risk of oxidation and extends the life of the movement by extracting oxygen from inside the case. It is important to note that the inside of the case is not in a vacuum and still contains small amounts of other gases such as helium.
The case back uses a laser-engraved three-dimensional ice pattern
The movement is also a noteworthy feature of this diver's watch. In the past, Montblanc diver's watches were mostly based on purchased movements from ETA or Sellita, but this new model is equipped with the MB29.29 calibre manufactured by Richemont's Horlogère ValFleurier movement. Like the long-power movement used by brands such as IWC and Baume & Mercier, it has a power reserve of 120 hours. With a diameter of 28.2 mm and a frequency of 28,800 VPH, it has a power reserve of 120 hours and is chronometer-certified by the COSC Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
Bottom line: The battle for the Deep Diver's Watch has been going on for decades, and it shows no end in sight. The 10,000-metre diver's watch, which used to exist only in the laboratory, has become accessible to consumers with the introduction of the Rolex Deepsea Challenge. But when it comes to overall strength, the Omega Planet Ocean Ultra Deep 6000M is still the perfect diver that strikes a true balance between "top performance" and "fit to wear". This year, in addition to the two giants of Rolex and Omega, there are new forces represented by Montblanc entering the game. Although there is still a gap between the paper parameters and the industry benchmark, its original "anaerobic" technology greatly adds to the product features, and the 43mm diameter is also indistinguishable from a regular diver's watch. (Photo/text Watch Home Xiao Feng)