It’s been awhile since we’ve heard much from Edox. The Swiss brand is responsible for a number of patents, one of the most important being the invention of the double-gasket crown. There have been many brands that have had similar technologies, but Edox claims to be one of the founding pioneers of the technology. In the early 60’s, the “Delfin” was launched utilizing this new technology with the brand deeming it “The Water Champion”. There have been many iterations of this timepiece over the years, but today, you’re looking at the modern Edox Delfin Diver Date Automatic the new take on one of the brands most famous watches.
The stainless steel case measures in at 43mm, and features an interesting gray PVD coating on the case and bracelet. It’s not specified, but the press images give the appearance that the center links and underside of the bezel are a black PVD coated polished texture. I find this quite attractive when matched up against the brushed bezel and bracelet. It produces a unique textural interplay that’s fitting for an outdoors watch. The addition of the dark grey PVD coat on the rest of the case and bezel gives a masculine, brooding appeal that I find works well. There are no distractions in this design. It is safe, but very, very solid.
When it comes to dive watches, the name of the game is legibility. Through the sapphire crystal, you’ll find a matte black dial, set with applied hour indicators that provide a strong contrast.
The hands and indicators are filled with the new SuperLuminova X1, proclaimed to be brighter than its predecessor. The handset has grown to be one of my favorite in the dive watch space. I have a Seiko with a similar handset, and there is no denying it’s easy to read — especially under water. My only gripe about the dial is the sheer amount of text displayed. I simply find it unnecessary and disruptive to the overall aesthetic.
The watch is powered by an Edox Caliber 80A. This is an ETA 2824 or SW200 base movement, so the specs are the usual suspects. The watch has 25 jewels, beats at 28,800vph, and features a Power Reserve of 38-hours. It features a date, which is prominently displayed through a window at 3 o’ clock. While the movement isn’t anything exciting, it’s asking a lot to expect something different in this price-point. No images were given, but it supposedly uses a screw-down caseback for “maximum” water resistance.
Overall, the Delfin Diver Automatic Date is an interesting watch from a brand that tends to sink into the background. That said, the Edox Delfin has an interesting history and this particular option is a strong value proposition. The monochromatic color scheme certainly won’t appeal to everyone, but that’s okay. Personally, I feel it gives the watch some added utility. In fact, it almost feels tactical. The price for the Delfin Diver Automatic Date is € 1,115. Read more at edox.ch.
