Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Helson Skindiver

Helson Watches will be releasing their new Skindiver watch this month. A bit about Helson Watches. The company is the brainchild of a couple of enthusiastic divers and sports fanatics from Europe and Asia. The aim of the company is to create reasonably priced and reliable diver watches. The company has its production facilities in Hong Kong and they use quality products sourced from Europe and Asia.

Anyway back to the Skindiver watch. The watch is based on a popular diver watch from the 50's with military links. The Skindiver is offered with either C3 lume or orange lume on a black dial. Both lume versions are available with date or no date complication. 

The basic specifications:

Case: 316L stainless steel, brushed, 41 mm diameter, 14.5 mm thick and 20 mm lug width
Crystal: Acrylic (double domed)
Bezel: Acrylic with lume
Movement: ETA 2824-2 automatic movement
Water resistant: 20 ATM
Price: USD 649

The watch will come with two straps, a NATO and a rubber strap (tropic). 

The watch.

The orange lume version.


The C3 lume version, with date.


The side profile. Got to love the double dome crystal.


Interesting place to have the serial number.


The case back.


Photographs: Helson Watches.

For more information: 


If case you are wondering where the inspiration for this watch is from, here it is:


Photograph: Blancpain

2 comments:

  1. Funny - I saw this in another watch blog (http://oceanictime.blogspot.com - a great blog about diver watches), and I had to blink, thinking it was an MKII. Gorgeous watch, and I wonder if it will be easier to find the the MKIIs. I am already saving up my nickels and dimes for it!

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  2. Hi Aaron,

    When I first saw the watch on the Helson website, I thought this is interesting. It does look like the MKII Stingray. I guess since the Stingray is no longer available (until the new one comes out), the Skindiver might fill the demand. I figure since it is new, it will be much easier to find as I think not many people are letting their Stingray go. As for if it will do well, only time will tell.

    Regards,

    Ivan

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