RCA Concept Cars

Royal College of Arts has truly crafted some royally spectacular designs of concept cars that do not yet soar in to the skies but look almost good enough to go around as alien creations that are crafted for inter-planetary journey travelling at the speed of light. Being constantly in touch with almost every single concept car design on a daily basis and having seen more than a few personally it is pretty hard to get surprised anymore consistently. But once in a while amazing designs like this come along which take the standards several notches higher by not just producing ‘Spielberg’ styled stuff, but also making them energy-efficient and emission free!

These concept cars build upon the RCA’s world-renowned vehicle design program, which has produced many exceptional designers over its 40 years of existence. Now that nearly every major auto manufacturer has announced plans for an energy-efficient automobile, these breathtaking designs should set a whole new standard in eco-design as we venture in to a future that holds a millions surprises which we hope are filled with green goodness.

Pierre Sabas’ Airflow concept encases an electric engine and suspension within an exterior constructed entirely of glass, while Jon Radbrink’s Nuaero car integrates sophisticated aerodynamic principles such as airfoils, a venturi tunnel, and a catamaran-esque underbody to maximize its efficiency. Sergio Loureiro Da Silva’s rocket-red Phoenix car pairs beautiful aerodynamic curves with a system that regenerates lost energy through movement, and Arturo Peralta Nogueras’ futuristic vehicle runs on algae and features an evolving solid hologram technology to adapt to its environment, passengers, and scenarios. 

You just have to sit back and take a moment to allow this amazing work to actually sink in as it would still look unreal. All I can say is that, “Thank God we had photography or all the words in the world could not have conveyed the sense of spectacle that I have just witnessed.”

NIVREL Deep Ocean (sold out)

By TLex I was just reading on NIVREL's Facebook page that the first production units of their new Deep Ocean is already sold out. Wow, that was fast! NIVREL are desperately waiting for new cases to arrive, which should by by July, so they can start production of the next batch of Deep Ones. If anyone would like to reserve a personal serial # please contact them . . .

TEMPEST Viking (teasers)

By TLex A couple of revealing spy shots of the highly anticipated TEMPEST Viking; beveling on the case, ceramic bezel insert and hex-screw pins. Can't wait to see more . . .

DEEP BLUE Juggernaut 1000m CHRONO

By TLex With 1000 meters / 3300 feet of water-resistance. The Juggernaut is a truly professional grade dive watch. Specs include: a 46mm case design, a highly accurate Swiss made Rhonda chronograph movement, Swiss made SuperLuminova for the brightest lume at night, which glows blueish green. Its lume includes: all hands (inc. sub-dial hands) have lume, hour markers have huge amounts of lume in round shapes corresponding to the round design of the case.



One of its key features are the minute markers on the dial, lume at the 12 o'clock position, which has the lumed deep blue logo! Scratch resistant high quality sapphire crystal. A 2 step dial with a tachymeter scale for timing racing events. Its sub-dials are done in a sunray finish with concentric circles. The 3 sub-dials are: 3 o'clock position - a constant running seconds 9 o'clock position -30 minute counter 6 o'clock position -first 30 seconds are 1/10 of a second timer after 30 seconds converts to 10 hour timer date function at 430 position.



Other features include: A screw down crown, screw down chronograph pushers, a Helium valve located at 8 o'clock position, suitable for professionals divers and SAT Divers. A 120 click unidirectional ratchet bezel. Its bracelet with solid links, push button deployment clasp with safety flip lock, 2 micro adjustments and a divers wetsuit extension for pro divers. Its screw down caseback is etched with logo and individual serial #. PRICE $425.00 . . .

GOLANA Aqua PRO

By TLex Here's a brand you don't see too often and from what I can gather not really for any good reason either (read on). I discovered GOLANA some years ago now and recently decided to check out their website again to see if they had introduced any new models, which they have.



The Aqua PRO, pictured directly above (BTW all models are called Aqua PRO), which bears more than a striking resemblance to the previous generation of IWC Aquatimers seemed to offer a lot of dive watch for very little money.



The watch, which has an RRP of just 250USD can actually be picked up on Amazon, eBay or the like for as little as 100USD. So it must be POS, right? Well to be honest I can only go by the feedback I've had from a couple of watch friends who've taken the plunge and bought one, and from what I've read online, but it seems like the Aqua PRO is pretty good deal. Certainly on paper anyway!



Specifications include: a 43mm 316L Stainless Steel Case with screw-down crown and caseback with a 200m water-resistance, a sapphire coated crystal (this is actually only sapphire coated mineral glass, but if done properly is still very scratch resistant), an internal bidirectional divers bezel, a solid stainless steel bracelet with solid end-links and a steel divers clasp. The watch houses a Swiss Quartz movement.



The internal bezel three handed model has since been joined by a chronograph. In addition GOLANA have also added a 42mm external bezel model. Is it just me, or are there some gentle notes of the FORTIS Marinemaster here?! Apart from the case size the external bezel models share pretty much the same specifications as the internal bezel models. All Aqua PRO models are also available with PVD finishing.



The Aqua PRO line has total 27 different variants. And for those that are into their packaging the watches come in the nifty travel pouch below. One last thing that I should have mentioned about GOLANA; their watches are badged 'Swiss Made', whatever that means in this instance, but they are. So, what do you think? A worthy beater for a young lad (or old boy) to knock around in? Me thinks, so ;)

H2O Kalmar BRUSHED (mesh)

By TLex The H2O Kalmar showing of its versatility on a mesh bracelet . . .

H2O Kalmar DLC (rubber)

By TLex The H2O Kalmar DLC looking GREAT on rubber! A quick reminder for those that missed my earlier post; H2O are currently still in their pre-ordering phase; the first batch of watches should be ready this July . . .