Introducing the moVas GMT III Diver

Dive watches. Who likes ’em? Well, just about everybody. How do you make a tool watch like a diver more useful? Via complications, of course. One of my personal favorites is the GMT, and that is what you get (as well as the date) with the just announced moVas GMT III Diver. Oh, you also get a somewhat quirky shape for a dive watch all in the bundle.

I will say, the shape of the 45mm stainless steel case of the moVas GMT III Diver is not quite as unique as the Officer series but it certainly holds it’s own. The main body is a rounded-edge square, in top of which you have the beefy, circular, bezel. As you might guess, that sort of construction leads to a rather tall watch – 17mm from caseback to the top of the bezel, and it’s another 2mm more when you include the domed sapphire bezel.

With a watch as beefy as the moVas GMT III Diver, it should be no surprise that it carries a 300m WR rating. Which, for how deep most of us are likely to take the watch, is more than enough to keep the Seagull Cal. 21-A movement nice and dry. Assisting with that is the Big Crown. You’ll notice that is capitalized, and that’s part of an overarching series that moVas sees the moVas GMT III Diver as being part of. The crown does look to be big, but not out of proportion to the case. It also mimics the case, taking it’s squared shape, as well as the textured grip of the bezel.

On the whole, I think the bezel is actually my least favorite part of the moVas GMT III Diver. While I am glad to see that they omitted a flat insert (which can just fall, well, flat), the only lume looks to be on the 12 o’clock pip. This is certainly well within the range of normal functionality for a dive watch, and does not compromise the utility. I have just become more accustomed too (and rather like) that we have started to see more fully-lumed bezels (of various sorts), given the show they provide at night. This especially stands out for me given the larger (and lumed) indices that pop out from the flat black dial.

On the flip side, I found myself rather liking the solid end-links of the moVas GMT III Diver, and it’s included steel bracelet. These look a bit unlike any I’ve seen before, given the steep angle they take coming down from the case. This should, of course, help fit that big case onto most wrists, and keep things snugly in place. The bracelet itself offers the normal adjustment (linkage removal), as well as micro-adjustments and a dive extension in the clasp. Should you want to mix things up, you will also be able to choose from a leather or rubber strap to have included with your purchase.

If you want to jump in and pre-order your own moVas GMT III Diver (which will be one of 45 pieces made), you will need to bring $770 to the party (which includes shipping) before phase II closes on June 12th. While I would not say this is my favorite moVas watch of all time, it does provide something unique with visual heft, as well as coming in at a rather nice price for what you’re getting. Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are on this latest watch from moVas. movaswatches.com

Watch Overview

Brand & Model: moVas GMT III Diver

Price: $770
Who we think it might be for: You like your divers bold, large, and unique
Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: Probably not – the overall size and bezel are not quite to my liking

If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Let’s experiment with a fully-lumed bezel (either painted or via an insert)
What spoke to me the most about this watch: The inclusion of the GMT complication

Tech Specs from moVas

Case: 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel with deep shot peened surface. Case is 45mm across. 50mm lug hole- lug hole. 17mm height to top of bezel/ 19mm height including domed sapphire.
Caseback: Solid caseback in 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel with brushed surface. Deep etched with chinese character for “water”. Numbered 01-45. 12 sided hex edging.
Glass: 4mm thick single domed european sourced scratch resistant sapphire with slight pink/ blue hue. Single Anti Reflective coating applied internally

Movement: Cal 21-A Produced by Tianjin Seagull Watch Co. Ltd. based on TY2100. 26 Jewels, beating at 28800bpm, 45H Power Reserve, featuring customised black date disc at 3H. Sandblasted and Gold PNP. Antishock protection system on balance wheel. Hackable.
Dial: Matt black painted, with grey/ white printing. Applied hour indices and matt black 24hr rehaut with white and red printing. C3 Superluminova lume on hour indices.
Hands: Brass hands plated silver, brushed with C3 Superluminova lume in centre. Matt black GMT hand outlined in red triangle with C3 Superluminova.

Strap/ Bracelet: Bracelet in 316L stainless steel fully brushed. Links are removable with 1.5mm hex screwdriver/ allen key (not provided) for length adjustment. Also provided is a choice of either our rubber or leather straps. Pictured is a Rubber 2 strap with Flush Type #02 buckle.
Buckle: Double locking diver’s buckle with diving suit extension is provided with the bracelet, shot brushed to match finishing on the bracelet, with micro adjustment on the side. Also provided for the rubber or leather strap is our Flush Type #2 buckle with matching shot peened surface.
Crown: Extra Large “V” logo deep etched crown with double locking screw down mechanism, profiled to match bezel grip.