Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The TechnoMarine Cruise Steel - Overview

So after fifteen days with the TechnoMarine Steel Cruise it is time to sum up.

Just to review some quick basics:
The case is solid stainless steel, 40 mm, and is powered by a Ronda (SWISS) quartz movement.  A three register chronograph with date, the Cruise Steel is at once a sporty, yet practical watch.  For me the first thing that strikes me is the legibility of the face - all three registers are very very clearly marked, and the use of skeletonized hands aids in this.  A unidirectional dive bezel is another very nice touch adding to the functionality.  The bezel itself is also stainless steel, with the fifteen minute countdown treated with a pvd like effect to clearly indicate the purpose of this function.

The case itself is very, very impressive for a watch in this price range - or even a watch at double the price.  The finish is incredibly smooth and clean.  No jagged bits, bumps or even swirls in the finish - it is truly first rate and one of the first things mentioned by other people I shared this watch with.

The watch functioned flawlessly - the chronograph functioning exactly as advertised and bang-on from timing events, to my daily commute.  Now it might be easy enough to say that this is a bare minimum requirement, but I have owned and used plenty of chronographs - both mechanical and quartz, and this one is top-shelf, period.

Another aspect about the watch that bears mentioning is the presence.  It is substantial, but the counter play of the rubber strap and the truly ergonomic integration of the strap to the watch case itself lends a virtually organic feel to the overall assembly.

I really was impressed by this design aspect.  It would have been very easy for the folks at TechnoMarine to simply slap a strap on the Cruise Steel and say "done", but they really worked at this design.  The case is curved to contour to the wearer's wrist.  The strap, though soft is very strong.  The underside texture of the strap makes it a much more comfortable strap as well, air can actually get in!
The use of interchangeable straps and the inclusion of an additional strap was a very, very nice touch, and adds even further value to an already great package.

When I had first heard that TechnoMarine was going to be managed by a group of three well-known talents from the upper-end watch category, I was curious how things would develop - and now we all have the answer - the TechnoMarine Cruise Steel is truly a great watch and perhaps the best that I have seen in it's category.

Check it out at:  www.technomarine.com

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