The ability to adequately understand the Tempvs Compvtare (Tempus Computare) watches is proof of one's need to understand the story behind watches. The brand's first timepiece is the Shark Watcher, with an upcoming Sea Shepherd model coming soon. A simple view of the watch reveals a competent diver's chronograph timepiece with a unique placement of the lume and an edgy (literally) style. Aside from the attractive bright style, the watch contains two important messages.

First is a more simple message for the watch industry and to the consumer. Tempus Computare watches are totally Swiss made and assembled. In an era where independent brands have difficulty getting off the ground (not that it was ever easy) it is especially noteworthy that Tempus Computare has been able to succeed with a totally Swiss product, when so many others rely on Asian parts. Handling the watch does reveal a distinct increase in quality compared to many other independent brand diver watches. The message here is really about quality and dedication to the preservation of independent, Swiss made watches.


The design of the watch implies its connection with sharks. Looking at the side of the watch you see a shark silhouette like shape while the caseback of the watch is engraved with (among other things) a shark figurine. Why sharks? Well aside from the majestic beauty of the world's oldest great predators, the Shark Watcher timepiece is part of an effort to help protect the creatures. The second, and most important message of the Tempus Computare Shark Watcher is that the oceans' sharks are being hunted down and need protection. Further still, the watches are ecologically friendly use no animal skins and rely of reclaimed steel (a form of recycling where steel from derelict items such as boats are reused for the watch cases).

A full one-third of the net profits from each sold Shark Watcher timepiece is donated to a host of charities and causes that are directly working to protect sharks. Fisherman mostly from Asia brutally harvest endangered or limited population sharks in violation of many international laws or treaties. Without proper protection, these important parts of our natural ocean eco-system are on a path to extinction. In addition to the severe consequences this would have on the environment, it would be a particular shame given the fact that sharks evolved millions of years ago, making them one of our oldest surviving species. Tempus Computare feels so dedicated to this cause that such a donation is strictly connected to the Shark Watcher and future eco-themed watches.

At 47mm wide in polished or PVD black steel the Shark Watcher makes a bold presence on the wrist. It has a distinctive rotating bezel with a combo of sharp angles and smooth edges - as well as applied luminat. The watch case has sharp lugs that have blue luminant filled triangles on their ends. More lume is placed on the ends of the crown and chronograph pusher, which are themsleves functionally rendered and easy to operate. Matching blue lume is used on the dials of the wat ch for the hour and mintues indicators, chronograph subdials, and for the unique split, mirror image hands. Over the dial is a thick sapphire crystal, while the watch case is water resistant to 200 meteres.

Style of the watch is polarizing but fun. It is a functional look with added style and grace that make it unique among competitor diver watches. Inside the Shark Watcher is a Swiss automatic mechanical Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement. The good looks of the watch help overshadow is stern message about environmental preservation. In the end, if getting a Shark Watcher timepiece from Tempvs Compvtare helps you save one shark, isn't it worth it? Price is between $9.400 - $11,400 not including VAT. Coming soon is the Tempvs Compvtare Sea Shepherd watch to supposrt the popular whale protection group. Similar in theme, the Sea Shepherd is coated with black DLC, has yellow luminant and trim in a different type and comes with a Sea Shepherd skull on the dial with a trident hour hand, and shepherd's staff for the mintue hand. The Tempvs Compvtare Sea Watcher timepiece is available now while the Sea Shepherd will be available in the near future.

By Ariel Adams

The release of a true diver's watch is a stepping stone for most watch companies. The majority of serious watch makers today have at least one diving or nautical watch model. The ubiquitous Rolex Submariner, the luxurious Patek Philippe Nautilus, the historical Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, and the classic yet Modern Breguet Marine are all excellent examples of this concept. Now Switzerland based Angular Momentum meets this need with the release of (arguably) their first serious diving watch specially designed with unique features for ocean depth plummeting.

The new Angular Momentum Dive-Tec/500 is a marvelous tool timepiece with a hip style and is Angular Momentum's ticket to acceptance from a whole new demographic of watch lovers. When combining the non-traditional artistic style of Angular Momentum with the functional needs of a diver's watch, the result is almost a modern classic which offers a total alternative to other modern dive watches. Instead of an overly complex and technical design, the Dive-Tec/500 is a step into refreshing simplicity. The timepiece stresses the four major needs of any diving watch: 1) telling the time, 2) being highly legible in low light and under water, 3) having a rotating diver's bezel, and 4) being able to survive the depths. Everything else is tangential, and probably better provided via other dive equipment. Take for example the mechanical depth gauge of certain luxury dive watches. Would you rely on them for accuracy over a trusted dive computer? Not likely. Instead, a timepiece is more valuable than a dive computer for telling the time. Not from an accuracy standpoint, but rather from a visibility standpoint. Find one dive computer that is as easy to see and read as the Dive-Tec/500. The case is 500 meters water resistant, while the large case and incredible luminant are heaven for under water clouded vision. See the large round screw placed on the bezel? That allows one to secure the bezel so that you do not accidentally turn the hefty ring which is done with 'fresh from the laser-cut' steel. The more raw finish to this component of the watch assists with grip and has an industrial look to it which enhances the watch's style. Other parts of the case are nicely polished.

Details for the Angular Momentum Dive-Tec/500 are impressive. The case is 46mm wide by 17mm thick. In response to the fact that most diving watches are met with salty, not fresh water, the case is made from special 1.4435 NCu StayBrite steel. The higher than 316L grade stainless steel is specially resistant to the corrosive effects of prolonged exposure to salt water. As a matter of style, the crown of the Dive-Tec/500 watch is made in the form of a valve screw - a part found in most manners of life sustaining, air providing underwater equipment. In a brass tone, the crown is actually lemon gold coated steel.


Angular Momentum's ace in the sleeve is their proprietary Èmail Lumineuse luminant. A special formulation created by Angular Momentum, the compound is a mixture of enamel and high grade luminant material. As applied by Angular Momentum, Èmail Lumineuse is a superior luminating material able to sustain a light charge brightly for many hours. The Dive-Tec/500 employs two colors of Èmail Lumineuse for the best possible function and appearance. The compound is applied on the dial of the watch as well as in the bezel (plus optionally on the caseback).

To achieve 500 meters of water resistance, the Dive-Tec/500 uses a 3mm thick sapphire crystal on the front and rear of the watch. The crystal on the back is specially applied over the automatic mechanical Swiss movement, and comes available either clear, or with a layer of Èmail Lumineuse over it allowing for an additional glowing part of the timepiece. The sapphire crystal on the rear of the watch is the access point for the movement and must be removed by Angular Momentum or its dealers if the watch movement requires repair or servicing. The watch will arrive with a silicon or calf leather strap. Price will be around $7,500 with each of the limited production timepieces being manufactured at the Angular Momentum atelier in Switzerland.

By Ariel Adams

Pita barcelona, named after its founder, Aniceto Jiménez Pita (1947), is a Spanish watch brand and was founded in 2003. Aniceto has been a watch passionate since he was a kid, learned how to work on clocks and watches all by himself and eventually opened a repair shop in Barcelona in 1971.

Today, he is watchmaker (and member of the AHCI) and creates exceptional timepieces, using innovative solutions to problems that are already there for decades. What to think about the two patents on his latest creation, the Pita Oceana, using a water-entry free case and a time setting mechanism (Pita-TSM) that allows you to set the time without having to pull-out a crown (making it vulnerable for entry of water). There is no crown on this watch and no caseback. The modular design of the watch is absolutely water resistance, because of the absence of seals, crown, pushers and a caseback.


The Pita Oceana is considered to be the ultimate diving watch, with a WR up to 5000 meters! The special case and winding construction are the most important factors to be able to guarantee a trouble free watch at huge depths. The heavily modified ETA 2678 movement (also referred to as the Pita-003 movement), which is patented by Aniceto Jiménez Pita, allows time setting under water, as described above.

The Pita Oceana has a 9.8mm thick rounded polycarbonate crystal. There is no seal joint between crystal and steel case, which means that what's not there, can't be subject to wear and tear. Furthermore, the star-shaped second hand features a chromatic depth meter for under water use and there is this inverted bezel inside for timing functionality.

Modular case construction. Star-shaped second hand featuring a chromatic depth meter. This depth meter has a few different colors, depending on what color you'll see under water, you will be enabled to make an estimate of the depth. The bezel with 120 positions for timer function. This is perhaps the most important functionality for a diver, to be able to check if you have enough time to (gently) get to the surface. :-)

The Pita Oceana 2009 edition will be available in stainless steel, titanium, 18 ct. Gold, or Platinum 950. The watch is limited to 80 pieces only.

The buyer can choose out of a wide variety of of bezels, dials, hands, straps and buckles to have a timepiece taylored to his or her taste and wishes.

Case dimensions: Ø43mm, height 18mm. Strap 20mm.

Prices start at 3275 Euro for a stainless steel Pita Oceana with a brushed finish.