TEST DRIVE
By Loren Sciurba, The Time Bum
The Beluga Ascent By
Manchester Watch Works
M
anchester Watch Works’ varied designs, solid
specifications, and affordable pricing has made them Submariner mold. The stainless steel case is a rather tidy 41mm
one of my favorite microbrand watchmakers. As I
At first glance, it looks like a traditional diver in the classic
wide, 50mm long, and 13mm thick from its caseback to the top
mentioned in a previous AboutTime article, I have followed owner/ of its raised and beveled sapphire crystal. The finely brushed sur-
designer Doug Kim’s progress from his first prototype to his latest face is interrupted by a delicate chamfer that runs from lug to lug,
offerings and I continue to be amazed at how each successive narrowing as it approaches the center until it disappears beneath
model outshines the last. The Beluga Ascent is the first of MWW’s the bezel. Shallow crown guards on the right side are mirrored
Professional Series. It is not only the best thing the brand has on the left by an even smaller protrusion that frames the escape
produced, but also one of the most appealing diver’s watches you valve. These subtle, sculptural details add character, setting the
can buy for under $1000. Ascent apart from its competitors.
Beluga is a premium line; the Lexus to MWW’s Toyota if you
will. In a first for MWW, the Ascent is Swiss made and powered by
This is a dive watch through and through, equipped to a
degree of overkill. Is rated for 500m water resistance. The
an ETA 2824-2. This hacking, hand-winding, 25 jewel automatic crown screws against twin gaskets and the screw down case-
is a stalwart of the industry and known for its durability. It has a back is sealed with Viton. Commercial saturation divers will
smooth 28.8k bph sweep, ETACHRON regulator system, black-on- appreciate the helium escape valve. The dial is set beneath a
white date disk, and a 40 hour power reserve. Each unit is timed brushed rehaut with a 24-hour index. MWW only offers this watch
and regulated to three positions. in the maximum contrast combination of white Superluminova on
92 | AboutTime Magazine