The AMA Diver by Albany Watches.
When is a black dial, not a black dial? When its the AMA Diver from Albany watches that’s when. Wondering how that’s possible? Let’s find out.
The AMA Diver is inspired by 1960s skin divers, but it's not just a copy of a vintage design. This watch has a personality all its own.
Starting with the dial, its a simple, uncluttered design. The black pearl dial is constructed of ocean sourced mother of pearl. It gives the dial a texture and colour which has to be seen to be truly appreciated. With a natural, shape shifting quality it will change appearance depending upon the lighting or viewing angle. The dial features the Albany logo, brand and model name and a depth rating, it is understated and timeless. Moving outwards, the indices are framed with aqua blue, the same aqua blue you'll find in the chapter ring. The aqua blue plays wonderfully with the mother of pearl dial, blending into the background or playing up the blue accents. The bezel insert continues the trend of quality, with a lumed, sapphire insert, and aqua blue minute markers.
The handset is well proportioned, with the aqua blue minutes hand stretching perfectly out to the indices. While the signature second hand is a stylized harpoon with colour matching accents.
Sitting atop the dial is an AR coated, double domed sapphire crystal.
The case is quite simply a showstopper. Its dimensions and pleasing mix of curves and angles sits on your wrist perfectly. The brushed finish on the case is excellent, particularly the circular brushing on the case top. The high quality finishing continues with the deeply grooved bezel and crown, both are easily gripped and function like a charm. The bezel action has a pleasing click, with no back play. While the fully lumed, cormorant adorned, screw-down crown allows for easy one handed time changes on the fly. Flipping the case over, you will find a screw-down case back replete with a deeply etched AMA Diver in traditional attire. This artwork is a not so subtle reminder of the diving traditions of the Japanese Ama divers.
The heartbeat of the Ama diver is powered by the Miyota 9039. The no date version on the 9015. It’s smooth sweep, decent 42 hr power reserve and workhorse status are sure to provide years of hassle free service.
There are three strap/bracelet choices available with the Ama. My personal favourite is the beads of rice bracelet. With four levels of micro adjustment, solid links, solid end-links, milled clasp and a signed security fold over, it looks great and isn’t going to rip your hair out.
Unboxing the Ama diver is simply a treat. It arrives inside an embossed, bamboo box. Upon opening the box you are confronted with a double waxed, micro suede lined watch roll. You're now ready to safely store up to four watches or accessories.
Overall the Ama diver delivers a handsome watch, with quality craftsmanship and finishing, and luxury watch specs. It does all this all while coming in under $400. If your looking for something fresh and new, that will keep you looking at wrist throughout the day, look no further.
