Discover the Stylish Vulcain Skindiver Nautique GMT Purple Watch

We’ve said it on multiple occasions, the combination of a dive watch with a GMT function is possibly the best summer watch you can get. Capable of tracking multiple time zones while also able to withstand aquatic activities, these watches are the all-rounders you should consider. In this field, where not so many watches are available (to our surprise), Vulcain has adapted a GMT function to its cool, vintage-inspired and fairly priced Skindiver. And to make it even more summer-ready, it now comes in a playful version, the Skindiver Nautique GMT Purple.

It’s rather surprising to see that the combination of diving credentials with a traveller’s function has only recently spread across the industry. While being undoubtedly very practical, there aren’t dozens of alternatives around, but let me give you some recent introductions in a fairly accessible price range: the Seiko 1968 Heritage SPB519, the Longines HydroConquest GMT, the Doxa SUB 250T GMT, the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto GMT, the Certina DS Action GMT, the Mido Ocean Star GMT and, if you increase a bit the budget, the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT. Recently, Vulcain expanded its Skindiver Nautique collection by adding a GMT complication, while retaining its diving capacities. And now, to make it even cooler, there’s this matte purple edition.

First released with a classic black dial (with the option for white or beige markers), the Vulcain Skindiver Nautique GMT has all the ingredients of the genre. Vintage-inspired, the case is nicely proportioned, measuring 38.3mm in diameter and a reasonable 12.2mm in thickness. The case is classic Skindiver, meaning unprotected crown and slim lugs. The crown and caseback are screw-down type, offering a comfortable 200m water-resistance. The dial is protected by a retro-styled double-domed sapphire crystal.

The main transformation consists of the addition of a 24-hour scale on the bezel, the latter being made of black polished ceramic and being now bidirectional. In this context, the emphasis is placed on the travelling function, at the cost of the diving credentials, the 60-minute scale being out. Some brands choose to retain the diving scale, and position the 24-hour scale on the dial. To each his own.

Talking about the dial, the cool factor here comes from the colour, a matte purple that won’t reduce contrast but will add a touch of fun. It is here paired with white prints and lumed hour markers – no option for vintage-toned markers here. The hands are classic batons with lume inserts, and the GMT function relies on an independent, arrow-shaped hand picked up in red. We’re here talking about an office-style GMT, not the more advanced flyer-style. A date window sits at 3 o’clock with a metal frame and a white disc.

Inside the case is the Soprod C125 GMT, an alternative to the ETA 2893 and Sellita SW330. The Vulcain Skindiver Nautique GMT Purple is available on a black Tropic-style rubber strap for EUR 2,040 or a single-link steel bracelet with micro-adjustment for EUR 2,320. For more details, please visit vulcain.ch.

According to the source: Monochrome Watches.