I really like a lot of what Azimuth does (even though some of it is really weird), and their functional pieces are pretty great as well – including these watches here. But most of the new Xtreme-1 collection watch have the name of “Sea Hum.” Who OKed that name? It sounds like a bad sailor’s song. “Not again with the bloody sea hum Morris!” I met with Azimuth and checked out then neat watches.
The Xtreme-1 collection includes three new Azimuth watch models. This includes the SEA-HUM 3TZ (three time zones), the SEA-HUM GMT, and the Xtreme Deep Diver (with the latter being the best or worst watch depending on how you see it).
The collection is done in honor of a Mexican explorer Fernando Lozano. I am not sure who he really is or what he does, but he climbs real high, and dives real low. Maybe if I was a Latin spelunker I would know who he was a bit better. He says that he needs a watch like this, does that mean you need one as well? Probably.
SEA-HUM 3TZ and GMT are basically the same watch in style but have a durability differences. Style changes are pretty much all summed up in the bezel and the colors on the dial. The GMT has a diver’s bezel, while the 3TZ has a 24 hour scale bezel. Using the hands, GMT hand, and 24 hour bezel, you can track three timezones with the 3TZ watch. This model is also the most entry level of the bunch.
Each of the Xtreme 1 collection watches are 45mm wide, but the SEA-HUM 3TZ is thinner and has (only) 500m of water resistance. It goes up to 1,500 or 2,000 meters of resistance respectively. Here are the basic stats for the T3Z:
Mvt: Automatic ETA 2836 protected by an anti magnetic dust cover.
Beat: High beat 28,800 A/h
Function: Automatic with 46 hour power reserve. 3 Time Zone function set independently via winding crown.
Case Width: 45mm.
Height from case back to tip of crystal: 12mm
Material: High grade 316L stainless steel case.
Crystal: Flat Sapphire, double coated.
Sapphire thickness: 2.50mm.
Winding Crown: Screw down waterproof stainless steel crown.
Bezel: Bi-directional ratcheting bezel with Super Luminova 24Hr markings.
Dial/Hand Set: Super Luminova filled markers and Hands.
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet with Deployment buckle.
Waterproof: 500m / 1,640ft.
Then you have the SEA-HUM GMT. Probably my favorite model. It also have an ETA 2836 movement, but a diver’s bezel, high visibility orange minute hand, and a thicker case and sapphire crystal that is 4mm wide. Note the cool 5 link metal bracelets that have torx style screws in them. Neat! Here are the specs for the that watch:
Mvt: Automatic ETA 2836 protected by an anti magnetic dust cover.
Beat: High beat 28,800 A/h
Function: Automatic with 46 hour power reserve. GMT function set independently via winding crown.
Case Width: 45mm.
Height from case back to tip of crystal: 18.2mm
Material: High grade 316L stainless steel case equipped with Helium Gas Escapement Valve.
Crystal: Double domed Sapphire, double coated.
Sapphire thickness: 4.00mm.
Winding Crown: Screw down waterproof stainless steel crown.
Bezel: Single directional ratcheting bezel with Super Luminova depth markings.
Dial/Hand Set: Super Luminova filled markers and Hands with Red minute hand for better clarity under water.
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet with Deployment buckle.
Waterproof: 1,500m / 4,921ft.
Then there is the really weird watch. The Azimuth Xtreme-1 Diver. This could either be Bell & Ross cool, or just plain too instrument like to wear. This is odd coming from such a “big watch” guy, but that literally looks like it would be a tank on your wrist. It only looks proper if you are wearing the hardest core diving or hazmat suits. Azimuth says that the Xtreme-1 is for the most extreme sports enthusiasts – not sure what that means unless it comes with complimentary helicopter medical evac services no matter where you are in the world. The watches I saw were still in the prototype phase, but looking good. Good all purpose divers and outdoorsy watches. Heavy and rugged – they are for the guy who likes to venture with a full load of gear.
Mvt: Automatic ETA 2826-2 encapsulated in a movement capsule and further protected by an anti magnetic dust cover.
Beat: High beat 28,800 A/h
Function: Big Date. Automatic with 46 hour power reserve.
Case: 56.5mm x 46mm x 20mm (LxBxH). One piece high grade Titanium equipped with Helium Gas Escapement Valve.
Crystal: Double domed Sapphire, double coated.
Sapphire thickness: 4.00mm.
Winding Crown: Screw down waterproof Titanium crown.
Bezel: Single directional ratcheting bezel with Super Luminova depth markings.
Dial/Hand Set: Super Luminova filled markers and Hands.
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap with Deployment buckle.
Waterproof: 2,000m / 6562ft.
I have a feeling I will enjoy checking these watches out – so I will do so soon. Price? Not totally sure, but knowing Azimuth they will likely be in the $4,000 – $6,000 range, and maybe more for the Xtreme-1 Deep Diver.
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