Damasko Unveils Their First Dive Watch at Munichtime

Damasko, the small German brand (and in-house manufacture) known for producing robust tool watches, has for most of its existence focused on cultivating a line of impressive pilot watches (read our reviews of various Damasko references here). But after years with eyes turned to the skies, the firm has finally taken the plunge with the announcement of the DSub1, their first dive watch.

As one might expect from Damasko, the DSub1 is an overbuilt dive watch made to the brand’s exacting standards. One point of differentiation from previous models, however, is that the case is not made from Damasko’s proprietary ice-hardened, nickel-free steel, but rather from surface-hardened, German submarine steel. Commonly used by Sinn across their diver range, submarine steel is prized for its unique resistance to saltwater and its anti-magnetic properties. Furthermore, the watch boasts much of Damasko’s impressive case technology, which includes a self-lubricating crown and hardened tube system, a patented ceramic-ball bezel, and pressure/water resistance of 30 bar/300 meters. Much like the rest of Damasko’s catalogue, this thing is built tough.

The case comes in at a width of 42mm (43mm with the bezel overhang), a thickness of 12.8mm, and a lug width of 22mm. The dial is matte blue with white markers and orange accents at 12. The orange is carried through the plonguer handset and the 0-15 markings on the hardened bezel insert. At four is a large screw-in crown, and a slanted date window sits next to the marker at four (early renders, like the featured image above, had the date window between four and five).

Overall, the design is a bit of departure for the brand, and though it is in keeping with the stark approach they’ve taken in the past with their other lines, it’ll probably be a divisive one among fans of the brand. There are some whispers on Watchuseek that Damasko has a black dialed version in the works, so stay tuned for more information on that.

The DSub1 will be powered by an ETA 2824-2 and will come on a rubber strap with a custom milled deployant clasp featuring a diver’s extension. It will also be available on Damasko’s bracelet with the new deployant.

There’s no word of pricing as of yet. The DSub1 is expected to be available January, 2017.