Sherpa Introduces the New Atoll and Tuxedo Versions of the Ultradive
Sherpa has announced a pair of new Ultradive references, expanding their core dive watch line. Sherpa launched in 2021 with a relatively narrow focus, which is honestly something I appreciate in a time period where too many watch brands want to be all things to all people. They make extremely specific dive watches, with compressor cases, and infuse each watch with principles of Buddhism literally built into the movement (the brand’s founder, Martin Klocke, is a practicing Buddhist). The new Ultradive watches, the Tuxedo and the Atoll, bring some variety to the collection without changing things up too dramatically.
Before getting into the specifics of each watch, it’s important to step back a bit and familiarize ourselves with the compressor case concept. It’s a technology that has been nearly lost to time as manufacturing has improved across the board and creating highly water resistant watches has, in general, become easier. But it’s an important part of dive watch history and watchmaking history in general. These cases, originally developed by Ervin Piquerez SA (otherwise known as EPSA), essentially employed a specially designed caseback that would seal under light pressure when not submerged in water, but under increasing pressure, the seal would become tighter and tighter. These cases rather ingeniously used the force of the water pressure against the case to its own benefit. Over the years, several versions of this EPSA case were developed, and Sherpa has adopted the so-called “bayonet” system, which forgoes the earlier snap-on casebacks for a more sophisticated, bayonet style attachment. Compressor cases always used two crowns, one for winding and setting, the other for rotating the internal bezel, and it’s quite common to mistake any multi-crowned watch as a “compressor,” but of course very few modern watches are true compressors. Sherpa’s Ultradive is among them.
Newly announced, we first have the Tuxedo, conceived as a more elegant version of one of the most tool oriented watches imaginable. The dial is galvanized silver with a sunray finish, surrounded by a black bezel with white printing. The “tuxedo” style, a mix of black and white elements, is a throwback to midcentury styles, most often associated with dressier watches.
The other new release for Sherpa is the Atoll. This watch features a turquoise painted dial with a crisp white outer bezel. Black accents at the minute markers (on the dial and bezel) offer plenty of contrast for what should be easy legibility. The date at 3:00 is in red, which I imagine will be a love-it or hate-it design decision as it’s the only bit of red on the dial, and thus immediately draws the eye.
As with all Ultradive watches, these are 200 meters water resistant and cased in stainless steel. The case measures 40mm in diameter and is 13.5mm tall, which considering the complexity of the construction is not unreasonable. The movement is a reworked Sellita SW200, and the escape wheel and seconds wheel feature incredibly small, laser engraved Buddhist mantras. According to Sherpa, these might be the smallest engraved mantras in the world, measuring just 1mm long and 0.15mm in height. Highly symbolic, the intent here is that as the movement is set in motion, the mantra is then sent out into the world.
The new Ultradive Tuxedo and Ultradive Atoll are available to order now, with deliveries expected in September. The retail price is $6,700. Sherpa
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