Reviewing the new and improved Gruppo Gamma Divemaster.

Back in 2017 I reviewed the first Gruppo Gamma Divemaster and I really liked it. That was a tough, no nonsense diver. Fast forward a few years and now there is a new Divemaster. This one is a bit more refined and has some nice new improvements. Gruppo Gamma was kind enough to send me one to review and I am liking what I see.

I really love the look of this dial, a 2-tone gradient black sandwich dial. The sandwich dial really add a lot of dimension. Vintage lume is applied to all the numbers and markers and that really does add a vintage look to this watch. Hour and minute hands are silver color with the seconds hand in red. These hands are mounted to a Swiss made ETA 2824-2 automatic movement. Protecting the dial is a thick AR coated sapphire crystal. Surrounding this dial is one of the biggest improvements made on this watch, the rounded ceramic bezel. At first glance that bezel looks like it could be sapphire, but no, it’s ceramic (and very nice).

The case on this Divermaster is made from 316L stainless steel with a nice brushed finish. It’s at the perfect size for a diver at 44mm in diameter. At this size the dial is much more visible. Since this is supposed to be a serious diver it does come with a helium escape valve. The use for that valve is only needed by saturation divers. That a very small percentage of divers, but if you are one of them, then this watch can do the job. The need for that valve is only necessary when diving very deep, while breathing helium. Water resistance is good to 500 meters or around 1500 feet so that should work just fine.

This watch comes with two straps. You get a nice soft leather strap with signed pin and buckle clasp. The other strap is a more utilitarian black canvas strap which also has a signed pin and buckle clasp. Both look excellent but if you are going to get this thing in the water you want to make sure and go with the canvas strap. The leather strap looks very clean and can be dressy if you need it to be. I love watches that come with extra straps.

Lume is fantastic on this Gruppo Gamma Divemaster. Vintage color Swiss Super-luminova is heavily applied to all hands and hour/minute markers. The glow is bright and last for a ling time.

This new Gruppo Gamma Divermaster checked all the boxes for me. It’s still tough but it can dress up. The movement went from a Japanese Seiko NH35A to the Swiss made ETA 2824-2. The Bezel went from a flat sapphire crystal to a nice rounded ceramic. Don’t think there is more they can do on this one. They are currently on sale for $750, but for our readers, you can get an additional $100 off by using the code WWR200 when you checkout. Not a bad deal for $650. If you like what you see go check them out at gruppogammawatches.com.

Review Summary

Brand and model: Gruppo Gamma Divemaster D-01N
Price: On Sale for $750 USD. Retail $950
Who?s it for: Dive watch lovers and professional divers

Would I wear it: Oh Yes
What I?d change: Add a date to this model
The best thing about it: That rounded ceramic bezel.

Tech Specs from Gruppo Gamma

Case:

Mk II Divemaster, 316L stainless steel, brushed, water resistance 500m
Diameter 44mm, length 52mm lug-to-lug, height 14.5mm, lug width 24mm, weight 140g with strap

Double-domed sapphire crystal with underside anti-reflective coating, stainless steel caseback secured by screws, screw lock crown
Helium escape valve
120-click unidirectional rotatable bezel, ceramic, markers with Swiss Super-LumiNova? vintage color

Movement:

ETA 2824-2, automatic bi-directional winding, 28800 bph, accuracy +/-12 s/ day, power reserve 42 hrs, Swiss made

Dial:

2-tone gradient black sandwich dial, markers filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova? vintage color
Silver color hour and minute hands and red seconds hand, with Swiss Super-LumiNova? vintage color

Strap: