Just in time for the 40th anniversary of the 1655 Explorer II, Rolex has announced the new model which features a series of changes over the outgoing Explorer II. The new series (ref: 216570) is available with a black or white dial, features an all orange GMT hand, and houses the new 3187 Rolex calibre in a larger 42mm case (last gen was 39mm). Rolex has made this new chronometer movement entirely in house and and it features some of their cutting edge technology including Paraflex shock absorbers and a non-magnetic Parachrom hairspring for excellent timekeeping and durability.
This movement allows the GMT hand to be independently set apart from standard timekeeping and is read using the 24hr fixed bezel. The all orange GMT hand is noteworthy as it follows the style of the original Explorer II from 1971. The new 42mm case is made from 904L stainless steel which is standard on Rolex sport models and is matched with a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating and a cyclops for date magnification.
Water resistance is unchanged at 100m but Rolex has updated this new model with its signature chapter ring that repeats “rolex” around the circumference of the dial, this is really the only change we aren’t wild about as it is quite flashy for what once was a tool watch. The outgoing generation was due for an update and Rolex had teased the possibility of an all orange GMT hand on a future explorer at Basel 2010. We haven’t seen a price listed yet but it is expected to be a little higher than the $6325 USD that the outgoing model was listed at.
This year at CES, Casio brought along a promising prototype watch. Featuring Casio’s BLE (bluetooth low energy) technology this watch will be able to have bluetooth functionality without the dismal battery life we have seen in models from Sony Ericsson and LG. The watch is powered on a single watch-style coin battery and would connect to a smartphone allowing a host of features and 2-way communication. Expect call and email alerts, phone locating ability, global time sync, and expanded functionality from application support based within the phone’s OS.
While the watch shown here is still a prototype, its exciting to think of a Casio MR-G or Oceanus with these features. Presumably, your phone would need to be BLE compliant, which might require a new phone all together. This is massively exciting technology as the premise is taken directly out of science fiction and it could facilitate an entirely new feature set into a controller we are all very familiar with.
As a side note, we would like to congratulate Casio for winning the CES 2011 Design and Engineering Award for the recently upgraded Pathfinder PAW5000. Please check out our review of the PAW5000.
Thanks to emerging technology, the digital watch is seeing a resurgence of popularity. So what does it take to stand out among the giants like Timex and Casio? Phosphor Watches has been making E Ink based watches for some time, and they recently released the World Time. The World Time features a curved E Ink display that is form-fitted to your wrist. The extreme contrast of the e-ink paired with the ability to track any timezone makes for a potent package for the digital connoisseur.
Here are the specs:
- Curved E-Ink display.
- 35×9.3mm thick (5mm at edge).
- Twin timezone display.
- 5 user-selectable display modes.
- 50m WR.
- MSRP of $150-$195.
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Casio G-Shocks play many roles: fashion icons, hardcore tool watches, respectable divers, etc. Today, we look at something of a new phase for the G-Shock line in the form of a “multi role fighter.” The Casio G-Shock GW-2000 sports aviation styling while retaining the GMT features of many of its older siblings. The GW-2000 combines the radio controlled technology which Casio is now famous for with a refreshed style more reminiscent of the MR-G series.
Let's take a look at the details:
- Mineral glass crystal.
- 47mm at the widest point (wears more like 43mm).
- 15m thick.
- Radio controlled atomic calibrated module.
- Solar powered.
- Stopwatch with a resolution of 1/20th of a second.
- 24-hour countdown timer.
- Alarm.
- Multiple timezones.
- Perpetual calendar (with day and date).
- Water-resistant to 200 meters (about 650 feet).
- Neobright luminous paint.
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View the Seiko SBQJ015 Photo Gallery.
When I realized that most of my collection had shifted toward divers and sports watches, I started to keep an eye out for something a little more elegant — something that might be slightly more at home with dress shirt than a 15mm high piece of military equipment or a plastic digital G-Shock. The problem was that I refuse to sacrifice functionality for looks. I love handsome watches, but they have to work as well as they look, or I'm not interested.
The Seiko SBQJ015 is an excellent balance. It's a handsome watch with just the right amount of bling for me (meaning very little), and it has an incredibly impressive list of features:
- Titanium case and bracelet tempered with a process Seiko calls Diashield which essentially makes the titanium much harder than stainless steel. (I've worn mine in all kinds of situations, and it doesn't have a single scratch.)
- Sapphire crystal.
- Perpetual calendar.
- GMT hand.
- Independently adjustable hour hand which allows you adjust the time when traveling between time zones without having to stop the watch or change the minutes.
- Equipped with Sieko's famous 8F56 movement which is accurate to within ±20 seconds per year. That's about as much variance as you can expect to see per month in an average non-atomic quartz watch.
- 10-year battery.
- Water-resistent to 100 meters, or about 330 feet.
- A perfect 40mm in diameter (for my narrow wrist, anyway) excluding the crown, and about 44mm total.
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A few months ago, we reviewed the Benarus Moray and came away impressed by the style, build, and price. Today we bring you a different type of watch from the same family: the new Benarus Worldiver GMT Auto. The Worldiver is a military style GMT dive watch aimed directly at some of the industry heavy hitters. How does it stack up? Let's start with the specs:
- 45mm Stainless case.
- 500m/1,650ft water resistance.
- Sapphire crystal.
- 22mm lugs.
- ETA 2893-2 GMT movement.
- 15mm thick.
- Choice of blue on black dial, or orange on grey.
- Includes many straps, and an option for a mesh bracelet.
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As watch reviewers, we are always on the look out for watches that appeal to a wide crowd rather than just "watch nerds." OCEAN7 Watch Company has been making watches that fit both descriptions for sometime, so when they offered to send a review sample of the new G-1 GMT, it was tough to guess where it would land. What we found was that the G-1 GMT clearly offers something for everyone.
Let's start with the specs:
- 42x13mm Stainless steel case (brushed/polished or PVD).
- ETA 2893-2 GMT movement.
- Swiss BG W9 blue luminous paint (model specific).
- Sapphire crystal.
- 300m/1,000ft water resistance.
- Steel bracelet with screwed links.
- 22mm lugs.
- A choice of 5 colored bezel inserts.
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Following hot on the heels of our review of the Rogue Warrior Avenger, let us introduce the Red Cell. Named after the unofficial title of Richard Marcinko's Navy security team, the Red Cell combines some interesting technology with a rough-and-tumble case and crystal guard.
Rogue Warrior is a new brand making hardcore watches for people who expect their watch to make it through just about anything. Rogue Warrior's tag line reads "When bad-ass is not bad ass enough." Is this simply marketing fluff, or is this a watch that sets a new standard in resilience?
Let's start with the specs:
- Stainless steel case.
- Japanese quartz movement with GMT hand.
- 44mm wide.
- 4mm anti-glare sapphire crystal.
- Superluminova and Kryptolite illumination system.
- Krypton gas filled case.
- d3o shock absorbing system.
- 3-year battery.
- 20 ATM water resistance (200m/660ft).
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Travel makes a great inspiration for a watch. Take the TX 530 here (model number T3C474TX): it's got world map as a dial, 24 cities around the bezel, and a retro design from the days when flight was glamorous. New in 2009, the 'World Time Airport Lounge' is a vintage-inspired design with a brand new six-motor quartz movement.
Let's look at the details:
- Stainless steel case, 44mm by 13mm, 90g on the leather strap.
- Hour, minute, second, date, and a fourth hand for time in one of 24 global cities (simply set with the buttons).
- Water resistant to 100m (330ft).
- Unusual domed sapphire crystal, done in the look of a classy vintage watch.
- Signed screw-down crown with etched TX logo.
- Simple handling of daylight savings time with switchable summer/winter indicator.
- Lumed hour and minute hand.
Read on for the full review.
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Update (12/21/09): This offer has expired, however we do plan to offer additional discounts on YES watches in the future. Please keep an eye on Watch Report for details.
If you're a regular reader, you know that we're big fans of YES watches. We reviewed both the Zulu and the Tati, and love them both. I also happen to know the founder and CEO of YES watches, Bjorn Kartomten, personally, and I know how passionate he is about his watches, and about customer service. In fact, I've heard several stories of people having their emails to YES Watches answered personally by Bjorn.
We seldom do promotions on Watch Report, but when Bjorn asked me the other day if I'd be interested in offering a discount on YES watches to our readers, I decided it was a good deal for everyone. From now through December 21, 2009, Watch Report readers can save between $100 and $300 on all YES watches purchased through this link. This discount covers the Zulu, World Watch, Tati, Luna, Inca, and the Kundalini.
Even if you're not in the market for a new watch, you might want to check out their lineup or our reviews just to see what YES watches are all about. They are some of the most unique and innovative timepieces out there.
By Christian Cantrell
Just in time for the 40th anniversary of the 1655 Explorer II, Rolex has announced the new model which features a series of changes over the outgoing Explorer II. The new series (ref: 216570) is available with a black or white dial, features an all orange GMT hand, and houses the new 3187 Rolex calibre in a larger 42mm case (last gen was 39mm). Rolex has made this new chronometer movement entirely in house and and it features some of their cutting edge technology including Paraflex shock absorbers and a non-magnetic Parachrom hairspring for excellent timekeeping and durability.
