The Newport is one of Herbelin’s most versatile collections, ranging from slim mechanical dress watches to sporty chronographs and even professional dive watches. It’s the latter we’re focussing on today with the launch of the Newport Héritage Diver Blue Highlight, a heritage inspired reinterpretation of the Newport Automatic Diver.
Structurally it’s identical to its modern aesthetic counterparts with a 42mm diameter 1970s inspired cushion case touting a 300m water resistance rating. It also has the characteristic Newport lugs that attach to a textile strap, though it’s also compatible with the Newport rubber strap and Milanese bracelet for a slightly sportier or more refined appearance respectively. The case is also equipped with a ceramic insert dive timer bezel, completing the professional dive watch design.
Where the Héritage Diver Blue Highlight differs from its stablemates is the dial. Instead of a crosshair pattern it features a grainy texture in black, encircled by a sky-blue minutes scale. Thematically the grainy dial is supposed to evoke a sense of the choppy waves of the mediterranean while the blue is the clear skies above. It works well with the ‘70s vibe of the piece.
That’s paired with oversize hour markers coated with lume for clear legibility in low light conditions. It also features the day-date window that has become a staple of the diver collection, so that you remember what day it is when you’re deep under the waves, very important. Though I do like that they haven’t fallen for the trap of using the date window to completely replace the 3 o’clock marker, meaning it retains more of a professional diver utility.
Powering the piece is the Sellita SW220-1, an automatic movement with 41-hour power reserve. It has been regulated by Herbelin to a rate of -0/+15 seconds per day in their Jura workshop in the Franche-Comté region of France. It’s visible through the exhibition caseback with its Herbelin custom rotor.
Priced at £1,150 the Newport Héritage Diver is also really good value for a professional dive watch. As one of the best looking Newports, I hope to see more of this line.
Price and Specs:
More details at Herbelin.
