MUGEN EURO in high-performance Honda Type CR-Z

Honda may call its 2011 CR-Z a "sport hybrid," but ever since our first time behind the wheel, we've felt more than a little disappointed. It's an enjoyable enough steer, but remains in dire need of some more oomph, and even with the automaker's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system on board, the resulting fuel economy isn't as great as one might expect for a car of its size and utility. Mugen

MUGEN EURO in high-performance Honda Type CR-Z

Honda may call its 2011 CR-Z a "sport hybrid," but ever since our first time behind the wheel, we've felt more than a little disappointed. It's an enjoyable enough steer, but remains in dire need of some more oomph, and even with the automaker's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system on board, the resulting fuel economy isn't as great as one might expect for a car of its size and utility. Mugen

MUGEN EURO in high-performance Honda Type CR-Z

Honda may call its 2011 CR-Z a "sport hybrid," but ever since our first time behind the wheel, we've felt more than a little disappointed. It's an enjoyable enough steer, but remains in dire need of some more oomph, and even with the automaker's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system on board, the resulting fuel economy isn't as great as one might expect for a car of its size and utility. Mugen

ANDROID Divemaster Silverjet 500

By TLex I pretty much checked out every single brand whilst I was at Basel; yes, even the 'Shop NBC brands' like Invicta, Swiss Legend and Android, who were exhibiting for their first time there. I rarely cover these brands, who in fact produce numerous divers models, reason being apart from the ridiculous names they are usually given like Predator-Robo-Diving-Enforcer-500 and the such, but because I find the look of most of their offerings at best crass and over-designed. This is without getting into the Chinese made Swiss branded debate!

So what did I think of the first ANDROID diver I had ever handled? I have to admit I was quite impressed. Looks-wise a fairly sedate design not too dissimilar to a SEIKO Monster, size and weight was good, this is a 50mm model. Interesting sandwich case construction with water-resistance up to 500 meters. The watch was even housing Miyota's new 9015 with hacking feature. The price, a very reasonable circa 300USD. Not least of all the watches were introduced to me by an attractive woman!





© OceanicTime

Azimuth XTREME-I Collection

By TLex One of the coolest things about making the pilgrimage to Basel this year was meeting up with my friends in the watch industry not least of which was the time spent with the mildly eccentric, mad-genius that is Alvin Lye of AZIMUTH, who kindly invited us to sit down at the back of his booth in a mock military bunker whereupon a radio-controlled tank drove in and delivered a prototype of his latest creation, the Azimuth LANDSHIP!

As cool as that was, there was no need for any pretense as to the true purpose of my visit; I had come to check out a production model of the DEEP DIVER and the two SEA-HUMs. And I was not disappointed! For those of you, who might not have been following; I previewed the DEEP DIVER prototype and the SEA-HUMs here last April.

The quality of the production models was exceptional, their fit, finish; every last detail beautifully executed, rubber straps included. The looks of the watches, whilst unconventional seemed to fit well with what Azimuth the brand are doing. And after chatting at length with Alvin I was left feeling quite excited about the possibility of future dive watch creations from this forwarding thinking company. Who knows maybe one day an Azimuth Submarine watch will surface.

Stay tuned for more from Azimuth plus an in-depth review of DEEP DIVER . . .

CERTINA DS Action Diver Automatic

From CERTINA Action, precision and confidence at sea - Eye-catching, sporty and full of verve, the DS Action Diver automatic is a logical extension of the previous DS Action series of extreme-sport timepieces by the Swiss sportwatch brand. Uncompromising in both appearance and function, it is produced along the stringent ISO 6425 specification for diver’s watches. Masculine in every respect, it brings together dynamic, modern design and a tradition of exceptionally resistant construction, fit for serious exploration at an affordable price.



The new DS Action Diver automatic stands out instantly thanks to its 43.2 mm brushed steel case and bold, striking bezel. Broad, large-toothed and easy to handle in all settings, its Superluminova-treated surface and oversized numerals ensure clear reading even in deep underwater darkness. Additional amounts of Superluminova on its wide hands, indices and on its central seconds hand further enhance readability against the watch's contrasting black dial. A sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating protects this impressive timepiece from all underwater perils.

The DS Action Diver is equipped with an ETA 2824-2 automatic movement, for precise and worry-free timing, with hours, minutes, central seconds and date. Its reliability is guaranteed by the DS Concept, as well as production techniques in accordance with the ISO 6425 specification for diver’s watches, as confirmed by the inscription 'Diver’s watch 200 m / ISO 6425' on the dial face. With its screw-down crown and case back, the DS Action Diver can handle pressures up to 20 bar (200 m).



In a tasteful wink back at history, the case back also sports a turtle logo, symbol of extreme water resistance in CERTINA timepieces in the 50s and 60s. A beautifully detailed three-row brushed stainless steel bracelet with a folding safety buckle and diving extension ensure that your DS Action Diver stays with you at all times, and a protected screw-down crown, monogrammed with the letters 'DS', keeps it safe from impact and inadvertent handling.

A second stainless steel version is available, with a black dial and moulded rubber strap with folding safety buckle and diving extension. Two additional models are also available, with titanium case, anthracite bezel ring and matching sunray finish dial; one with a titanium bracelet and another with a rubber strap, both equipped with a folding safety buckle and diving extension. Titanium is especially well suited to diving environments, for its high corrosion resistance and lightness.



MOVEMENT (functions) Swiss-Made ETA 2824-2 Automatic / Hours, minutes, central seconds, date

CASE 316L brushed stainless steel, with polished bezel / 43.2 mm diameter / Screw-down case back with special CERTINA turtle logo / Unidirectional rotating bezel with large teeth, for ease of use / Added Superluminova for best underwater readability on bezel, hands and indices

SPECIAL FEATURE Production in accordance with ISO 6425 specification, with special mention 'Diver's watch 200m / ISO 6425' on dial

CROWN Protected screw-down crown, monogrammed with letters 'DS'

WATER RESISTANCE Water resistant up to a pressure of 20 bar (200 meters)

CRYSTAL Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating

STRAP Three-row stainless steel with folding safety buckle and diving extension

PRICE CHF 795

VARIATIONS 316L stainless steel with rubber strap, CHF 770 / Titanium with rubber strap, CHF 895 / Titanium with titanium bracelet, CHF 930

GRAFF ScubaGraff (new)

By TLex Jewelery brand, Graff take a surprising new direction with their latest timepiece. The ScubaGraff, which Graff say embodies their signature design feature, a uniquely faceted case inspired by a single brilliant-cut diamond is water-resistant to 300 meters and features a lateral decompression valve. The watch houses a mechanical self-winding Graff Calibre 2 movement exclusively designed, developed and built in Switzerland for Graff with a 50-hour power reserve as shown by a power-reserve display (not sure why it only indicates up to 30hrs though).

There are two other case finishes available; one in satin finished rose gold and another DLC. This wouldn't be a Graff without some sort of precious stone; a triangular-cut diamond (emerald on gold version) has been set at the 12 o' clock dial marker as well as a diamond-tipped crown. The tentacle detailing on the caseback and divers extension is pretty cool, not sure if I'd take it diving though, but I'd certainly wear it in the bathtub!



From GRAFF Graff proudly introduces a new diving watch for men. This newly released model incorporates the mechanical self-winding Graff Calibre 2 movement exclusively designed, developed and built in Switzerland for Graff and displays a comfortable 50-hour power reserve. The back of the satin-finished rose gold versions have been expertly fire enamelled and all editions, including the black DLC, are finely hand engraved with an octopus motif that is also reflected on the elaborate folding clasp of the strap.

The hands and hour markers are enhanced with luminor ensuring optimal readability, and a decompression valve on the case side and 30-minute countdown indicator help divers manage their remaining dive time and oxygen level. Guaranteed water-resistant to 300 metres (1,000 ft), ScubaGraff is a diver's dream and enough to make any devotee of fine watchmaking want to take the plunge.