The polls have been counted, the results are in and the verdict…size matters! Well, at least underwater, according to Oris. The swiss watchmaker, well known for producing high quality yet at the same time surprisingly affordable diving watches, has just released its new diving watch, and its the largest ever! At 49mm the Regulateur “Der Meistertaucher” is no delicate timepiece, but then again, one would generally not consider diving a particularly delicate pursuit either. However, one must really wonder at the practicality of a watch this size out of the water. Granted it’s certain to make an impression wherever it is worn but whether said impression is favourable or not really depends on the interpretation of the wearer.

Although, to be fair, this watch must be assessed on the basis of what it has been designed for and one look at its rather large face will tell you that when it comes to diving, this timepiece means business. For a diving watch size is as important as functionality and style, there is no value in having a small cluttered dial that cannot be easily read with a quick glance. To support the ease of use the watch’s orange Superluminova coating has been designed to glow in the blackest water. Safety is also a prominent feature thanks to the regulator display separating the hours, minutes and seconds. The watch is water-resistant to a respectable 1000m/100 bar and comes equipped with a helium escape valve.

The specifications also attest to this watch’s calibre as a more than capable diving instrument:

Movement – Automatic

Functions – Hours, minutes, small seconds, date and tachometer

Case – Grade 2 titanium, 49 mm, aluminium unidirectional rotating bezel, anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal, screw-down back, screw-down crown and helium valve, water-resistant to 1000 m/100 bar

Dial – Black with waves decor, applied hour-marker, numerals and hands coated with dark orange Superluminova, central display for minutes and off-centre for hours and seconds at 4 and 10 o’clock respectively, date window at 6 o’clock

Bracelet/Strap – Black rubber with extendible titanium folding safety clasp or extendible titanium bracelet comprising several parts.

Although big on size the new Oris is a real must for purist divers who desire a functional and reliable timepiece, and not just a great deal of marketing hype.

Written by Tom Mulraney Ablogtoread, TheWatchLounge