2012 sees another variation on the popular Perrelet Turbine watch called the Turbine Diver – and it is just that. With a large case, internal rotating dive bezel, and 300 meters of water resistance, you can now combine your love of the spinning dial timepiece with your passion for sport watches. Well, at least I know I can.
I’ve written about the Perrelet Turbine watch over the years and did a hands-on review of the Perrelet Turbine XL watch here. The high-end novelty watch continues to hold my attention. If you don’t recall how it works, the Turbine is a play on the original Perrelet double rotor concept that has a second rotor on the dial which is connected to the rear rotor in the automatic movement. The turbine on the dial spins with the movement of your wrist. With enough inertia, it will spin pretty fast. Perrelet learned that by using large, bold hands as it does here – a high level of legibility can be maintained.
Size-wise, the Turbine Diver is between the original 43mm Turbine and the 50mm wide Turbine XL. The Turbine Diver is 47.5mm wide. The case is once again similar in style, with a slightly different bezel design. The watch will likely wear a bit smaller than it is due to the thick outer bezel and internal rotating bezel. The blades of the turbine are sharply curved, this time looking a lot more like a boat engine propeller versus the turbines in a jet engine. With propellers being used for both of these purposes, it was just a matter of time before the watch went from aviation to nautical in theme.
Each of the cases are in steel but some have DLC black coated segments – just like most Turbine watches out there. The dials are attractive, and there is fun sportiness to the collection. They are whimsical, but also very functional in design. The crown has been moved to 10 o’clock, and the internal rotating bezel as well as the time, is adjusted via the same crown. I actually like the single crown design versus having two of them (as many watches with internal rotating bezels have).
The Perrelet Forum.Watch.Ru Replica Turbine Chronograph was declared over a month before Baselworld and we got the opportunity to observe this interesting and dynamic watch in person while in Switzerland for the month’s show. Based on a new exclusive chronograph movement, the Turbine Chrono offers an intriguing 60 minute chronograph register employing a translucent center-mounted rotating dial that allows a full view of this signature spinning dial.I love an advanced chronograph screen, so whether it’s a centre chronograph minutes a rotating sapphire minutes counter tops, I’m always interested when a chronograph cannot be described as simply being bi-compax or tri-compax. The Perrelet Turbine Chrono is a big and very modern watch, available in five versions and measuring 47 x 16 mm. Thanks to the rubber strap, the Turbine Chrono feels light enough for everyday wear also, while distinctive and brash, the majority of the models are not especially flashy with restricted polished elements and also the option of a darker tone turbine.Perrelet’s Turbine design has always been about motion and activity that promotes a really distinctive wrist presence. The dial includes two levels, a background and a spinning “turbine” disk that reacts to the subtle movement of lifting your wrist to check the time. That motion kicks the turbine into action and it spins, as though propelled by a jet engine. I had seen this on the original Turbine pieces and the way that Perrelet has maintained this trendy layout when incorporating a chronograph is really fantastic.In the space between the hand set and the spinning turbine element, there is a transparent two-piece sapphire dial, comprised of a center and an outer ring. The outer ring is fixed and marked at nine o’clock with a “Min” flag, indicating where to read the present chronograph minutes dimension in the middle disk. When the chronograph is started, the centre sapphire disk begins to gradually rotate, revealing the chronograph minutes within a discreet but legible fashion. You’ve got to love a chronograph that’s executed without the mess and small sub-dials normally associated with such a complication. Along with the chronograph, there’s also a date display at six which may be looked at from the areas between the turbine blades.
Color wise, the Turbine Diver comes in black or blue, with yellow or white trim. All models look handsome in my opinion. I do wonder what styles will end up being the best sellers. Over the dial is an AR coated sapphire crystal, and there should be lots of SuperLumiNova on the dial for darkness viewing. Attached to the watch is a black or blue rubber strap.
Inside the Turbine Diver watches is the Perrelet P-331 automatic double-rotor movement. It is a Soprod movement exclusive to Perrelet and both brands are owned by the same parent company. Prices for the watch will be $6,550 or $7,200 depending on whether DLC is used on the case or not. Look for them later in 2012.