ArmourLite IsoBrite Master Diver

The last time I reviewed an ArmourLite it was 2014 and the subject was the IsoBrite ISO100 tactical watch (now christened the Valor Series). I enjoyed that carbon-cased, tritium-tubed beast, so when they told me they had some new models, I had to give them a whirl. For this review, they lent me a stainless steel Master Diver ISO501 on a 22mm solid link bracelet, as well as the black nitrile rubber strap from model ISO503.  

ArmourLite likes their watches on the big side (their smallest model is the 42mm Grand Slimline), and the Master Dives is no exception. Its stainless steel case is 46mm wide, 55.7mm long, and 14mm thick. It's a whole lotta watch, but I wasn't about to let a little extra mass ruin my fun. I gave it a go, putting the watch through its paces for a weekend at the shore, as well as a few days with khakis and a button-down at the office. 

The first thing I noticed was the weight. I am no stranger to heavy diver's watches, and I don't generally worry about it. After all, unless it is made from depleted uranium, a watch can only be so heavy, but this one was heavy enough to send to the postage scale for a reality check. Sure enough, the Master Diver topped 8 oz. on its bracelet. It is certainly noticeable, but not at all uncomfortable. I mean, I'm one of the least fit people I know, and even I have no problem carrying a few extra ounces on my wrist, but if weight is an issue for you, then you will be happier choosing the rubber strap, which drops the watch to a more manageable 5 oz. 

As the name implies, the Master Diver is more than ready for subaquatic excursions. It is rated for 300m water resistance and features an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and knurled screw-down crown, in addition to a 90-click, unidirectional timing bezel cast in high relief. Like all IsoBrite watches, it uses T-100 Tritium tubes for nighttime illumination. While not quite as bright as the best photoluminescent materials, tritium is more than sufficiently potent and offers the distinct advantage of being self-sustaining. The tubes are filled with tritium gas that emits electrons as it decays. When the electrons bounce off the phosphor, they produce a steady glow that lasts for decades. 

The tubes are set into an expansive, wave textured, black dial. They also grace the Planet Ocean style arrow hands and the paddle second hand. Finally, one tiny tube acts as a bezel pip. Leaving nothing to chance, they added spots of lume as well. It's really the best of both worlds; the conventional lume pops to life with its initial light charge, and as it fades, the tritium provides perfect clarity all night. As illustrated below, the tubes don't actually get brighter, but your perception of them does, tricking your eye the same way it tricked my iPhone camera. 

I've just got one hit to pick on the dial and that's the IsoBrite logo. The red and black banner is attractive enough in and of itself, but it is pretty darn big, even on a watch of this size. It didn't faze me on the black carbon Valor, but on this one, it's just a little too much. As the IsoBrite line expands beyond field and sport watches, they might want to consider toning down the logo, or better still, using the stylized "ib" like that embossed on the black crown head. 

vedere di piu rolex replica e Rolex Masterpiece