We’re the last people in the world to hate on timeless, beloved watches such as the Rolex Submariner, but for someone just getting into the world of mechanical timepieces, or for someone who wants something with a classic look but without the associations with an established luxury brand, looking to a boutique brand or an industry upstart can provide a breath of fresh air.
Austin, Texas-based DuFrane Watches’ Barton Springs diver provides that classic, utilitarian look without seeming derivative of any one style. (Overall, we’d say the Barton Springs sort of resembles a “skin diver” watch from the ’60s or ’70s, but this is a type of watch rather than a particular model.) Its got a 42mm steel case, a sunburst black dial with oversized hour indices and lumed sword hands, a domed sapphire crystal with anti-refelctive coating, 200m of water resistance, and the workhorse Sellita SW200-1 movement with 38 hours of power reserve. It’s also got a unidirectional dive bezel and ships with both a tri-color nylon strap as well as a rubber strap with steel hardware.
If you’re on the hunt for a larger dive watch, it’s worth checking out the handsome Barton Springs — right now, you can nab one for 35% off list, or just $426, down from a list price of $656.
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