Skin Diver SD-2 Abyss Black

As a relatively young brand that has only been around since 2010, Dietrich is a fascinating watch manufacturer that explores a whole new perspective on watchmaking with artistic timepieces that are organically different. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, a beautiful city renowned for its highly innovative arts and creative scene, creative French designer and brand founder Emmanuel Dietrich expresses his lifelong love for watches with his unique design signature of producing phenomenal watches which are delicate but bold, powerful yet sensual. With over 20 years of experience designing watches, Dietrich watches beautifully echo the visually artistic scope of Dietrich's concepts.

Dietrich Skin Diver SD-2 Abyss Black

In an endeavour to create a midsize traditional diver's watch infused with the design philosophy of Emmanuel Dietrich, the SD-1 Skindiver combines the brand's organic visual cues with a retro style inspired by 1960s recreational dive watches, giving birth to an imposing avant-garde dive watch that is in a class of its own. Today, the all-new SD-2 carries on that theme more traditionally. It is also called Missions Maritimes in French - designed to be a hybrid tool watch on land and sea.

As mentioned by Emmanuel Dietrich, "with the SD-2, I sought the same (and unforgettable) emotion that I felt with my first watch. I received a little skin-diver from Cupillard Rième on my 7th birthday, which accompanied me for years. A simple, utilitarian, waterproof and reliable watch. A satisfying object to wearing as well as to look at. A watch that does little but does so perfectly."

Swiss Made Sellita SW200 automatic

The skilfully executed brushed stainless steel case of the Dietrich SD-2 comes with appealing dimensions that fall between a vintage dive watch and a modern one, measuring in with a case diameter of 38.5mm, a lug-to-lug distance of 46.2mm and a case thickness of 12mm. Despite being a midsize skin-diver, this is not a tiny dive watch by any means, with its substantial case profile resulting in a notably bold presence on the wrist we'd expect from modern dive watches. For additional refinement, the case has been finished with a slightly polished chamfer running from lug to lug. These intricate details add to the enjoyment of its wearer.

Operating the 120-click deep black anodized aluminium bezel on the Dietrich SD-2 is a lovely vintage touch and a breeze with six individual bezel grip points (referencing Dietrich's hexagonal motif associated with the brand). With a curved scratch-resistant sapphire insert comes lumed non-numeric bezel markers with C1 Superluminova, glowing an attractive green in the dark.

“Sandwich” construction, recessed markers

The main difference between the SD-1 and this latest offering is its sober crosshair dial design. Gone is the striking sapphire dial; it now features a sandwich dial format whereby the hour plots are filled with C1 Superluminova on a bottom plate right below the main dial, resulting in a certain depth between the main texts and markers—and the effect is truly mesmerizing. Following the style of previous Dietrich models, the uniquely-shaped handsets work perfectly on the SD-2 with its modern design, bringing the entire dial to life. The cleverly positioned date window from the first version at the 6 o'clock position is removed for a "purist" look and certainly one with a more utilitarian appeal. To top it all off, the dial is protected with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal coated with five layers of anti-reflective coating.

 At the core of the Dietrich SD-2 lies the ever-popular Swiss Sellita Cal. SW200 automatic movement is a treat at this price segment, considering all the fantastic specifications we get here. Widely recognized as a robust workhorse automatic movement, the 26-jewel movement beats at a 4-hertz rate of 28,800 beats per hour (BPH) and features a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. Housed in a solid sterile screw-in caseback and a fish-signed screw-down crown, the SD-2 achieves a water resistance rating of 150 meters.

Super-Luminova glows in the dark

A matching waterproof band designed by Dietrich is a key highlight of this dive watch. The 20mm Black NBR rubber strap with a deluxe signed buckle is a perfect example of how a well-designed accoutrement with its original style should look like. Held together by quick-release spring bars, this visually attractive strap excels in form and function as it articulates comfortably around the wrist. Dietrich shows impressive attention here with integrated sports watch aesthetic. If you're feeling bored with the rubber and want a little bit more rugged look, each SD-2 is supplied with Dietrich's Military Nylon textile strap.

Limited in production, the SD-2 is a successor model to its older brother, representing more than just a cosmetic evolution from the original. It represents the change in the objective of the Skin Diver series: more functional and utilitarian, yet unmistakably Dietrich in its form and attention to detail. Overall, Dietrich's exceptional attention to detail for every aspect of this stunning timepiece allows the SD-2 to shine vividly among many other offerings in this competitive price segment.

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