Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

God of the Sea

In 1992, COMEX diver Theo Mavrostomos completed a daring 701 meter saturation dive, which might explain the odd-numbered depth rating of the first watch released from new brand, Ægir. In fact, this depth rating is no coincidence, but rather an intentional homage from company founder and professional commercial diver, Todd Caldwell, to Mavrostomos’ herculean achievement, [...]

Affordable Diver Sophisticate

Earlier this year, we introduced you to the Magrette Regattare prior to its much anticipated release. Well, we were able to get our hands on one to see for ourselves if the horological fanfare was justified. More photos and the full review after the jump.

A passion for watches

The watchmaking business is not for the faint of heart. We’ve showcased a number of niche watches on Gear Patrol, and we’re proud to say that Benarus has been one of them. From their groundbreaking Barracuda, which sold out in a matter of weeks, to their latest creations, the Moray 2 and the Remora 3, [...]

The dream becomes reality

How many watch geeks have dreamed of starting a watch company? Well, for two guys from Minneapolis, the dream has become reality. Last year, we told you about a new dive watch micro-brand, RedSea. At that time, they only had ideas, some computer-generated mockups and a pile of credit card debt. Now they’ve got a [...]

Stealing the Thunder

The burgeoning niche watch market isn’t always the safest place to conduct business. Many rise and fall. Many more never rise. Peter Helson has made some very good choices to ensure this doesn’t happen to his company. Helson has focused their watchmaking on divers and unique ones, at that.

Excellent Timing

In 2009, Matt and Courtney Wilson embarked on an effort to create a dive watch that incorporated all the vital aspects of watchmaking that aficionados of niche brands were looking for, albeit at a remarkably affordable price. Hence the birth of the Irreantum Magellan ($545). We had the opportunity to review one recently, and we [...]

Explaining the Basics, Debunking the Myths

It is ironic that, while watch companies are turning out more capable dive watches – helium release valves, absurd water resistance, innovative bezels – fewer and fewer SCUBA divers are wearing watches at all. Go on any dive boat and you’re lucky to find one person wearing anything besides a dive computer on his wrist. [...]

Bond Junior

So you’ll probably never channel Sean Connery’s Thunderball coolness, sporting a classic Rolex Submariner dive watch and driving an Aston Martin DB5 while causing Ursula Andress to swoon. But you can, at the very least, upgrade the timepiece on your wrist, from the run-of-the mill quartz watch (which is more than likely sitting in your [...]

Wet or Dry, This is a Serious Watch

Whether you’re in the market for a serious watch for deep sea exploration that doesn’t require an ocean of cash, or just in search of some rugged arm candy, Dievas is a brand worth researching. Created recently in 2006, Dievas is an independent manufacturer founded on the principle that quality and customer service mean everything. [...]

A Watch That's Not All Business

The economy may be awful, but as my compadre Jason recently mentioned, if you’re a watch enthusiast, as most of us at GP are, we live in fortunate times. Small companies are coming out with well priced time pieces and though they may not be bred from pure bloodlines, they have the performance to match [...]

Dive Watch Fanatics, Your Grail Has Arrived Gear Patrol Contributor Jason Heaton showing his approval for the Doxa SUB 800Ti. In the late 1960s, Doxa, a venerable Swiss watchmaker, developed one of the most enduring and unique designs in a purpose-built dive watch. The Doxa SUB was like nothing else, with its distinctive orange dial [...]

Submarine Grade Steel On Your Wrist Swiss and Japanese brands tend to dominate the conversation when it comes to watches. However there are other brands out there that deserve praise. Take for instance Sinn, a German watch company known for its many exclusive technologies, unique designs, and expert craftsmanship. One of their most popular models [...]

[click on image to enlarge] The Eterna KonTiki Diver timepiece isn’t the newest one around, but it definitely was the first to deploy a hinged led mechanism that allows the mechanical movement container to move from the bridge of the bracelet, negating any errors from the parallax effect. Once the dive time is set on [...]

[click on image to enlarge] Bell & Ross manufacturers timepieces right in line with what we like here at Gear Patrol. Functional, rugged, and well-built. Typically of aviation design, Bell & Ross has put out a diver line we’re keen on. The BR 02 pieces are rated to a mind-bloggling 1000 meters (the watch is [...]

[click on image to enlarge] That’s one long name. Befitting of it’s massive list of capabilities including a 1,000 meter depth capability and it’s color-coded mechanical depth gauge (this is truly rare), 24-city automatic time-zone selection disk and Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 979 movement comprised of 247 parts, 29 jewels. You’re looking at one of the most [...]