View single post by Paxman
 Posted: Sat Dec 15th, 2007 08:12 pm
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Paxman



Joined: Sun Apr 23rd, 2006
Location: NorthEastern, Wisconsin USA
Posts: 15957
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Thanks to Anders at Gnomon I’m the happy owner of a Dievas Vintage Kampfschwimmer, and I’m quite pleased to have decided to purchase this watch as a Christmas present. Anders is a pleasure to work with and was kind enough to get the watch to me in absolute record time and included the sweet Christmas special of an additional strap, screwdriver, lugs and additional screws. Full kit!! Expect a fantastic experience when working with Anders at Gnomon watches. Simply top notch all the way!

 

Now on to the watch. This is completely unlike anything else I have and believe me, I never thought of myself as wanting an homage watch in this style. This is an homage to the Rolex Panerai Kampfschwimmer of the late 1930’s and 1940’s. See below for examples of the original models. Sorry no credit but nabbed off the internet!!







 

As you can see the watch is the very epitome of simplicity. No markings beyond the understated California dial. Not even a second hand. The ultimate in clarity and brevity. Time keeping duties are handled by the two blued stick/baton hands. The dial work is beautiful and the vintage tinged lume is a real work of art in my opinion. This touch gives the watch an already lived in look ideal for a vintage homage. .The dials resides in a highly polished cushion case of copious proportions. The fit and finish are excellent and the smooth, reflective surfaces are a pleasure to gaze upon. Screwed in wire lugs at 26mm offer plenty of strap options beyond the very meaty pigskin the Kampfschwimmer arrived wearing.

 

The Cali dial sits beneath a massive domed acrylic crystal which adds an extra dimension to the watch’s presence. The large domed acrylic does show striations when held and twirled under sunlight but this is only natural in a crystal with this large a dome. That big ass crystal makes the watch a challenge to photograph. The large crystal really adds an element of depth to the watch face.

 

The watch is powered by a Unitas 6497 movement which is nicely finished with blued screws and hammering on the plates. Winding and operation are buttery smooth and ultra satisfying. The nicely knurled crown winds effortlessly and is easy to grasp and operate. You can’t quibble with the 6497. It is what it is, and it is a mighty fine and long lived movement.

 

The Dievas packaging is really nice too. The watch came well packaged and includes an outer box and inner wooden box with a beautiful piano finish done in jade green. The entire experience exceeds expectations and shows how a committed vendor can design and produce a high quality watch with all the accoutrements at a very reasonable price. We all know what this watch looks like but the real value is in the details!

 

Thanks for reading and here are some pix: