Dive Watch

You knew it had to come sooner or later ... a watch. This particular one has been added to my collection since last time I was a regular blipper. It is a Pagani Design dive watch. It is a Chinese product modelled to resemble (you guessed it) a modern Rolex Submariner. I also have a similar "homage" by Invicta, modelled after the Submariner, (which I have previously blipped) but that one resembles the design as it was in the 1990s.

It is really amazing how quickly the Chinese watch industry has grown in sophistication. The standard of case, dial, bracelet and clasp finishing has gone through the roof and now closely resembles what one might expect from Switzerland .. I kid ye not. This one includes scratch resistant sapphire crystal and high gloss ceramic bezel, not dissimilar to the watch that it copies. The movement is an ever reliable automatic hacking/handwinding Seiko NH35 which should offer long service. All in all I am very pleased with it.

It isn't actually a Rolex of course and never will be but I can't afford one of those .. and never will. Curiously right now (no matter how well heeled one is) Rolexes are almost impossible to obtain. There are long waiting lists for most models and even then scalpers are snapping them up as they arrive and flogging them on the grey market for up to double the original absurd price. Solution. If you like one of the designs, go buy a legal Chinese homage.