Horological Meandering

While most of my collection is pretty much set, I've always been on a somewhat quixotic quest for the "perfect mechanical dive watch".  It has taken me through Seiko, Rolex, several Omega Seamasters and Planet Oceans, Ball and Glashutte Original.  These days a UTS 1000m v2 GMT sits on my wrist:

 

While you're staring at these pictures, you're probably wondering...."why does DB seem to flit from one dive watch to another...in an endless quest for perfection that can never be attained?"  Good question!  I guess the answer is, because it's fun!  Also, unlike those grail Langes, Pateks, Jaegers, Vacherons and the like, there are a lot of fantastic divers that are available at somewhat affordable prices...so trading them, as opposed to my 18k Lange, is best seen as a good "marriage conservation strategy".

Some of the features of this terrific piece:
-  43 mm case width
-  14.5 mm case thickness
-  4 mm thick solid steel bracelet
-  Weight with steel bracelet approximately 226 grams
-  Top Grade ETA 2893-2 finished with geneva waves, blue screws and perlage. 
-  Movement comes with glucydor balance wheel and Incablock shock system.
-  Founder of UTS, Nicolaus Spinner (mechanical engineer by trade) personally fabricates
   each watch case using DIN 1.4404 surgical stainless steel
-  Waterproof to 1000 m (100 Bar). Tested water resistant to 1,500 m (150 bar).  
-  Solid case back affixed by 6 hex screws.
-  Two coats of superluminova on dial for extra visibility

After six months, what do I think?

Pros:
-Case construction
-Finish
-Accuracy of time-keeping
-Durability
-Dial Design (subjective of course, but personally-speaking, I love it)
-Depth and hue of lume

Current Reservations (we all know there is no such thing as a perfect watch)
-Lug Design (a tad too big and non-integrated into the bracelet)
-Weight (226 grams...I think my sweet spot for a diver is probably a bit lower)

...but in terms of reservations, that's about it.

MY QUESTION FOR YOU:

If dive watches are something you like and you have some familiarity with this piece, what do you think of it versus some of the pieces I've owned and/or are contemplating, including:
-Omega's Seamasters
-Rolex Submariner (too ubiquitous?)
-Glashutte Sport Evolution (had a silver dial chrono...lack of dial legibility made me let this one go....beside, I traded it for my true love, a Senator Navigator....)
-Sinn divers
-Kobold divers (too pricey?)
-Bremont Supermarine (ETA 2836-based movement a notch below top-line ETA 2900 series?)

Thanks and cheers.
DB Darien 

This message has been edited by db darien on 2010-09-19 14:23:43

I love my diving watches but am not really interested about watches with ETA movement. However, I think that LLD is the diving watch with the best value for the money if one appreciates the history of the watch and that the Sinn diving watches (U1 & U2) can take more punishment that anything else.

I have a big bunch of Rolex Submariners, two Sea Dwellers, two blancpain Fifty Fathoms, GB Sea Hawk II, Seiko Marine Master, a couple of JLC, etc. My simple conclusions are:

- watches with a depth rating over 300 meters are made for people who would also always buy a magnum rifle because it is said to be the strongest. In scuba diving or even in technical diving a depth rating over 300 meters is just making the watch thick and heavy.

. Rolex is very very hard to beat when the overall quality is concerned vs. the price paid. Out of the modern Rolexes 14060M is a real bargain and a beautifully made watch still carrying the clear DNA of the first Submariner from 1954.

But I am very subjective: I am having the emphasis on manufactured movement and the characteristics of the watch for real scuba diving. A diving watch used for its purpose must be able to tolerate i.e. some punishment and this is dropping some otherwise nice watches from the top of my list.

Best, Kari 

seems to be a popular dive watch, or is this too common as well?  I know nothing about the movement, but it is an attractive watch.  The watch you are showing is very nice: great pictures.  My only differing comment is that I prefer a fabric or rubber strap, purely personal preference.

 

This message has been edited by db darien on 2010-09-19 16:38:05

As far as tool divers go, UTS competes with the best of the best, IMO.  From your list, I own two Rolexes (a 16800 matte-dial and DSSD), GO (Sport Evo GMT) and Kobold (stainless steel SEAL), and in no way, shape or form does my UTS 3000M suffer in comparison.  In fact, as far as divers go, it's my favorite, besting such pieces as the JLC NSA Incursion and MCDC, PAM 243, Seiko "Emperor" Tuna, and the Eterna KonTiki Concept Diver.  True, the 3000M and 1000M v2 GMT are different watches, but one thing that's a constant with UTS is the build quality and craftsmanship that Herr Spinner exhibits with each watch that he single-handedly designs, machines and assembles in his shop in Munich.




(Boy, do I regret selling my 600M...)

Anyway, I wouldn't trade your 1000M for any of the divers you've listed above, though I will say that the Sinn U1000 chronograph and Bremont Supermarine 500 are both watches that I'm looking to add to my collection down the road.

Regards,
Adam

...and have flirted with various models (U1, U2, EZM-3), and figure I'll buy one someday as a fun tooling-around piece, so I have to give a nod to the brand for offering IMO attractive, functional (from reports from trusted WIS), casual watches.  I'm not a diver so can't really speak to the merits of all these brands for actual watersports (you'll need someone like BDLJ for that), but in the looks and daily wear functionality department for me I prefer the Sinn U1 and Rolex Submariner/Sea-Dweller over the UTS (just my opinion, of course).  I love the Rolex's classic looks and Glidelock clasp on the new Sub and Deep Sea.  I think the UTS loses me in the aesthetics department.  Like you, I find the lugs awkward.  There's room for improvement there.  Still, it looks to be a robust piece from the specs you present, so why not?!  I'm sure it's an enjoyable watch!

Cheers,
Daos