Chronotechna Goes Vanta Black With New NanoDive

Chronotechna returns to Kickstarter this week in hopes of funding their latest project, the NanoDive watch. Like their prior launch, the Ultimate Black, the NanoDive features a blacker than black dial made of Vertically Aligned Titania Nanotube Arrays that absorb 99.9% of incident light. The black hole of a dial presents a creative opportunity for the hour track presentation at the dial’s edge, which is composed entirely of X1 Superluminova underneath the dial. The result is a sternly modern looking diver that bears a small resemblance to the MING 18.01.

The NanoDive’s dial was created with the help of Dr. Jan Macak at the Center of Materials and Nanotechnologies at FCHT of the University of Pardubice and at the Central European Institute of Technology at VUT in Brno. This is not the first time we’ve seen such a material used on a watch, but it is the most accessibly priced under $700 for the Kickstarter, compared to north of $25k for the H. Moser Venturer Vantablack. The material is an abyss for light, creating maximum contrast with the layer of X1 Superluminova placed underneath the dial, which is visible through arched cutouts that trace the hours. If we go by contrast alone, this may be the most legible watch in existence. 

The 42mm steel case will be offered in black DLC, should you want to lean into the whole ‘murdered out’ look a bit further. The shape of the case itself is rather interesting, with a mixture of brushed and polished surfaces with a stepped sidewall that should allow the watch to wear a bit thinner than it would otherwise. A black bezel insert gets a red triangle at 12 o’clock offering the only bit of color across a vast black landscape. The bezel brings a dive watch vibe to the watch and it’s got a 300 meter depth rating to back up that look.

Inside, Chronotechna is using the Sellita SW-200 in chronometer spec, offering a decent bit of value at the Kickstarter price. It is visible through an open caseback, and will come with its COSC certificate in the box. 

The Chronotechna NanoDive Kickstarter is live as of now, and will run through September 10th in an effort to hit their funding goal of €10,000. Spoiler alert, they already have. You can get in on the action or just learn a bit more about the watch at the Kickstarter page right here.