Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Edox SkyDiver Automatic Limited Editions (Live Pics & Price)
A blast from the past with a duo of cool retro-styled dive watches.
A brand with far more history than you might have imagined, Edox is no stranger to the dive watch or military pieces. Founded in 1884, the brand even patented a crown with a double gasket for improved water resistance inside its signature 1961 Delfin watch. Among the many models created by the brand, the SkyDiver, with its combination of diving credentials and pilot watch features, is something of a mystery, but it has, nevertheless, also been a great source of inspiration for Edox. Following the SkyDiver Military Limited Edition and the ultra-robust SkyDiver Neptunian, the brand now launches a pair of cool, retro-inspired watches: the new Edox SkyDiver Automatic Limited Editions.
Behind the name SkyDiver, which resumes the concept of this watch quite well, lies a pretty cool story. According to the brand, “a mysterious drawing found in the archives of Swiss watchmaker Edox” turned out to be “the sketch of a long-lost timepiece, the SkyDiver”. Along with the sketch, there was “a scrawled note reading: 1973. Special production in strictly limited edition“. According to a retired Edox watchmaker, the SkyDiver was rumoured to be a secret project for a mysterious, wealthy Swiss colonel. The anonymous colonel wanted an exclusive timepiece for elite mountain paratroopers under his command. It had to combine the no-nonsense functionality of a dive watch with the style and aesthetics of a precision pilot’s watch.
Recently, the name SkyDiver has popped on several occasions, most noticeably with this watch, a faithful reproduction of the actual 1973 model mixing military and diving aesthetics – a watch that was also later available in bronze. The new Edox SkyDivers for 2021 come with new looks and upgraded materials, but don’t get rid of the cool retro appeal that goes together with the name stamped on their dials.
What we’re looking at today are classic, appealing dive watches with vintage inspiration yet modern execution. Available in two tastes, the Edox SkyDiver Limited Editions share the same mechanics and habillage. The case, with its 42mm diameter and 13.9mm height, is modernly proportioned but has all the typical features of skin diver watches. It comes with an unprotected oversized crown, an ultra-domed sapphire crystal and a thin rotating bezel. With its screwed crown and steel caseback, it is water-resistant to a comfortable 300m.
And even if the diameter seems larger on paper, the short lugs are comfortable on the wrist. Overall, the case is nicely executed with brushed and polished surfaces. While the domed sapphire crystal creates lots of reflections and distortions, it adds to the appeal of these new Edox SkyDiver Limited Editions. Also note that the 60-minute diving bezel is made of black ceramic and features a luminous pearl for the zero mark. The caseback is decorated with the emblem of a paratrooper unit.
The only difference between the two versions is the two dial colours. The first one (ref. 80126 3N NINB) is a highly classic theme for a military-inspired dive watch, with a semi-matte black dial, elongated minute markers and applied indices and hands that are filled with retro-looking beige Super-Luminova. The other model (ref. 80126 3N NINV) is less focused on faithfulness and has s a dark green gradient dial, and while the markers and hands are identical in shape, they are filled with green Super-Luminova. Both have a classic central HMS display with a date at 3 o’clock.
Powering the new Edox SkyDiver Automatic Limited Editions is a tried-and-tested outsourced movement supplied by Sellita. The SW 200-1, an alternative to the ETA 2824, is a solid, reliable and precise enough automatic engine that provides 38h of power reserve and runs at 4Hz.
Both versions are delivered with two leather straps with a steel pin buckle equipped with quick-release spring bars. The black version comes with a light brown and a black strap, while the green model comes with a green and a black strap.
Availability & Price
The 2021 Edox SkyDiver Automatic Limited Editions are both limited to 600 pieces. They will retail for EUR 1,690. For more details, please visit www.edox.ch.
2 responses
Amazing the difference the crystal makes to what would otherwise be an ordinary looking watch. A bit pricy considering that its on leather which would have to be replaced for me.
Wow, they stole the design and the name of another watchmaker. Search for “Vintage Technos Skydiver” to find out. The Technos brand was one that joined forces with others during the quartz crisis, and was very famous in some countries like Japan and Brazil. Eventually they began to produce watches in Brazil, and after some time the brazilian factory bought the rights on the Technos brand. The Skydiver model has been sold in the Technos watches since the late 60’s or early 70’s, and has been since then their main product line, so this “found lost designs from the 70’s” is a lie. There are lots of pictures of the Technos Skydiver watches from all generations, and the early ones are very similar to these “new Edox” ones.