It’s very troublesome to anticipate an upcoming watch evaluate with out creating some preconceptions concerning the piece racing in direction of your door. Typically a giddy pleasure overtakes me, as I fantasize over lastly having the prospect to put on take a look at a watch I’ve admired from afar. On different events, I’m positively skilled in my method, open to being satisfied by a model I do know little about, and cautiously optimistic that one thing will impress me. As I awaited the arrival of the Delma Blue Shark III, I discovered myself poring over the model’s web site, making an attempt to get a deal with on what was going to greet me after I opened the field.
Whereas a giant fan of dive watches, I’ve by no means owned one with an orange dial (shocker). I used to be eager to see what this in style shade seemed like on my wrist, however keener nonetheless to see precisely how massive the 47mm-wide case wore.
The Case
It’s large. It’s really one of many largest, heaviest watches I’ve ever worn. The 47mm diameter is one factor, however the 18.5mm top combined with the 295g weight is what I, as a small wristed (17cm) man struggled with probably the most. If you happen to’ve learn my ideas on wrist circumference versus watch diameter prior to now, you’ll know that I completely abhor the arbitrary notion carried round by some watch wearers that they “can’t” or flatly refuse to put on something above or under a sure diameter, regardless of how different dimensions or stylistic choices might have an effect on the watch’s presence on the wrist.
The smallest watch in my assortment is 33mm-wide; the biggest is 56mm. Each look tremendous on my wrist (it’s the identical wrist each time), due to the way in which every particular person watch is styled. The Delma Blue Shark III was means too prime heavy for me, and whereas it seemed simply tremendous, it was surprisingly troublesome for me to get used to. That is the primary time I’d actually recommend that is solely a look ahead to individuals with massive wrists. I’m positive there are some guys on the market who love risking a rotator cuff damage each time they attain for the salt; I’m not one in every of them.
The water resistance is an enchancment on the Delma Blue Shark II, which solely clocked in at three,000 meters. It’s spectacular that Delma, which has been producing dive watches for 50 years, is ready to make timepieces able to surviving these depths, however it’s little greater than a speaking level to the overwhelming majority of the watch-buying public.
The case machining is excellent. One benefit of this massive, spinoff case form, is that the CNC machines aren’t required to do something too intelligent. For a instrument watch, that is preferable. The unidirectional bezel is absolutely wonderful, and the sound it makes while you flip it counterclockwise is as satisfying because the minimal play between spring and tooth.
One factor that severely grated on me, nevertheless, is how simply this diver picked up scratches. I put on dive watches on most days. I beat the hell out of them. I’ve acquired DLC coatings, hardened and tegimented metal watches that also look as new immediately because the day I purchased them, however my different untreated 316L stainless-steel dive watches have barely a mark on them compared to the Blue Shark III after every week or so of wear and tear. It didn’t take me lengthy to work out that the explanation for these floor scuffs is solely all the way down to how massive the factor is. It’s continually sticking its head above the parapet, asking to be dinged. I have to say that that is exacerbated by my small wrist (because the aircraft of movement all through which the watch is most weak is elevated because of is overlaying the whole floor of my wrist). For a watch of those proportions, I’d say that case hardening is a should.
The Dial
Reference 41701.700.6.154 is the one I borrowed for a number of weeks. It’s not a watch I’d have chosen for myself (preferring the blue dial with black bezel from the photographs alone), however I used to be actually taken by how vivid the orange on the dial is. I’m nonetheless not satisfied that the lighter orange numbers on the bezel match the Arabic numerals employed at 12, 6, and 9 o’clock, however they grew on me. I believe, nevertheless, I’d have most well-liked a black bezel with plain metal engraved numbers and even the identical inexperienced as used on the hour markers.
The handset is an efficient size, and though the form of the palms does nothing for me, they’re very properly lumed and glow effectively at midnight. The triangular tip of the seconds hand (which features on this watch as a working indicator) is a little bit on the small aspect, however it’s good to see a change from the ever present lollipop hand.
The date is positioned at three o’clock and has a black typeface on a white subject. This really appears to be like tremendous in opposition to the orange on this mannequin and in opposition to the blue of the steel-bezeled ref. 41701.700.6.044, however it’s a disgrace the colours weren’t inverted on the opposite fashions.
The Bracelet
If we ignore for a second how untreated 316L stainless-steel bracelets and buckles scuff simply, then we are able to actually get pleasure from this facet of the Delma Blue Shark III. The bracelet is nice. Solidly machined and familiarly styled, the hyperlinks are held collectively by specifically designed screw heads that mainly “plug” the hyperlinks in place from both aspect, so the earlier hyperlink within the chain pivots on two unthreaded posts that virtually meet within the center.
A particular instrument comes with the Delma Blue Shark III so you’ll be able to regulate this your self, however must you lose or break it, you’ll be able to change the hyperlinks simply sufficient with a grey screwdriver. (I’d advise utilizing beryllium blades so that you don’t burr the very engaging head.)
By far, the very best factor about this complete package deal is the buckle. It’s severely cool. Now, I’ve a little bit of a factor for well-machined deployant clasps, and I’ve some fairly excessive requirements, so imagine me after I say that the form, machining, and performance of this buckle is excellent. The underpiece is absolutely properly embellished, and the floor engraving of the Delma wordmark and crown is simply deep sufficient to fulfill me. Clearly, the buckle’s end, simply as with the case, advantages from being monumental. It’s a disgrace it isn’t hardened, however it’s nonetheless one of many best security deployants I’ve ever worn.
The Motion
Not surprisingly, the Delma Blue Shark III is powered by the ETA 2824-2, which has been upgraded to characteristic a gold-plated rotor with the Delma emblem engraved on it. In fact, all of that’s hidden behind the closed caseback, permitting the business’s most widespread tractor caliber to go about its enterprise in full peace. The 2824-2 has an influence reserve of 38 hours and an working frequency of 28,800vph.
Abstract
I got here away from this one with combined emotions. I used to be shocked by the construct high quality and the way a lot I loved the orange dial, however the boring caseback design, immense weight, and vulnerability to scratches grated on me. It is a very stable watch, however its CHF 1,990 price ticket places it up in opposition to some extremely stiff competitors. Though the orange dial shouldn’t be one thing seen on a few of the extra mainstream manufacturers, I might by no means select this over a Doxa, or perhaps a Seiko Monster when all is claimed and performed. That stated, it is a wonderful diving instrument and, for these requiring water resistance of four,000 meters, it’s an distinctive worth for the cash. To discover the remainder of this assortment and the whole lot else Delma has to supply, take a look at Delma.ch.
Vital Information
>Model: Delma
>Mannequin: Blue Shark III
>Value: CHF 1,990 (this mannequin), CHF 2,090 for these with DLC bezels
>Measurement: 47mm × 18.5mm
>When reviewer would personally put on it: No. Though I’ve no laborious and quick guidelines relating to acceptable diameters for my smallish wrist, this one simply didn’t sit proper. Too top-heavy for me.
>Pal we’d advocate it to first: Somebody with a large wrist and forearms to match.
>Finest attribute of watch: The deployant clasp is a factor of magnificence.
>Worst attribute of watch: On condition that this can be a instrument watch of great measurement, the shortage of a floor hardening remedy is a giant disadvantage for me.
