M
Mechanicals
Reign
Each watch case and bracelet is made from surgical
quality stainless steel, with a choice of silver, gold or rose
gold finishes. The 44mm diameter case has a sapphire
coated mineral crystal surrounded by a 24 hour bezel and
a see through case back to view the automatic winding
movement beating away at 21,600 vph. The dial features
an enlarged date window and world time zones in 24 cities with an inner bezel actuated by the crown at 2 o’clock.
A heavy dose of luminous material on both the dial and
hands light up the time in the dark. At full, but not oversize 43 mm, the stainless steel case is well finished and
water resistant to 10atm. Retail price $1,500 at
www.reignwatches.com.
Sturmanskie
In the history of Russian watch manufacturing history, a special chapter was
dedicated to dive watches and over time the design of Russian dive watches
has evolved. Without a doubt, the most distinctive features of the Stingray
are the unconventional crown guard and the oversized protective screw cap.
At 47mm x 15mm Stingray Professional is a big boy watch in steel rated to
30atm. Inside beats a Seiko Automatic caliber NH35II with a power reserve of
38 hours running at 21,600 vph. A mineral crystal on top may be less scratch
resistant but offers flexibility under stress that avoids the potential for a catastrophic failure (shatter). Supplied with both a leather and rubber diving strap
the Stingray retails for $1,099 at www.russia2all.com
14 FUNCTION | AboutTime Magazine