Profundo VB-1

Dive watches were in their heyday from the beginning of the late 50s, where many watch brands work on their timepieces to be reliable, accurate and comfort for anyone underwater. It was also the era where dive watch designs are at the pinnacle, where classic and iconic forms of a dive watch today still follows thoroughly and deliberately.
 

Pablo Profundo VB-1

Today, a good condition, 60s iconic dive watches from those big brands will cost many dollars, even more so than many current divers in the market. But the price point of all these premium-priced watches from those golden days does beg the question: “Why should only the rich enthusiasts have all the fun to themselves?”

Alright, now lets segue to the Profundo VB-1, which probably is one of the most neatly done and value-packed dive watch that brings back the spirit of the 50s and 60s dive watches.

The Profundo VB-1 is the very first model from Pablo Watches. Limited Edition of 200pcs and available exclusively to Gnomon Watches.
 

Raised Vintage Hour Markers

The Profundo veers more on the professional tool watch side, and is a classic automatic dive watch, with several intricate details at a stunning price.

Compared to the vast majority of Miyota-powered microbrands, Pablo has paid excellent attention to details with a proper Swiss Made ETA2824-2 mechanical movement.
 

Limited to 200 pieces

Case
Let’s start with the case details. The Profundo VB-1 boasts a solid 316L stainless steel case, measuring 40mm wide and 49mm from lugs to lugs. This makes the VB-1 an ideal size for a proper dive watch, having the right balance of wearability and readability.

The case’s execution is neatly done, with mixed finishing of hand satin-brushed on the top surfaces, and high-polished sides. Pablo Watches went an extra step to get the slim bevel that run along its length high-polished. Special mention of the 6.5mm in diameter screwdown crown that is coined by watch enthusiasts as the “Big Crown” of that 60s era. Both the crown and case back have high-quality gaskets to provide a proper 200m water resistance.
 

Old school drillled lug holes

Drilled-lugholes
Did we also mention that it has the retro drilled lug holes that allows one to remove and replace a different type of straps that suits the mood?
 

Serial Numbered screw in caseback

Caseback
The case back features “Pablo Profundo” with the serial number of each piece produced and all the other details on the circumference.

Dial
Moving on to the dial side. The first thing when one looks at the dial would be the 60s box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating underneath to enhance legibility.

Underneath, one will find the Profundo VB-1 featuring an iconic matte black dial with an outer closed minute track for minute indication, pairing with three dimensional raised hour markers. The VB-1 enhanced the retro aspects by having the markers and minute track in caramel vintage color that mimics the aging process found on today’s vintage watches. And it glows green in the dark with C3 Super-LumiNova®.
 

Box-shaped sapphire crystal

Bezel
The classic black aluminum bezel is an ode to the past, with the caramel vintage colored pearl that matches the dial. The red color triangle at 12 is worth the mention, as it is a nod to 60s iconic divers.

Swiss Movement
Powering this new VB-1 is the established Swiss ETA 2824-2 Elabore automatic movement, featuring 25 jewels count that runs at 28,800bph, and with a 40 hours power reserve. It also allows the wearer to have hacking seconds during time adjustment.
 

Swiss ETA 2824-2 Elabore automatic movement

Vintage Bracelet
Pablo knows the retro-styling of the Profundo does not just stop here, and it has been paired with a cool, vintage-inspired 316L steel bracelet (oyster-style) with riveted sides, that has a highly tapered profile of 20mm to 16mm.
 

All in all
Looking at the whole package of the Profundo, several amazing aspects can be seen on the Profundo VB-1. It is a well-executed dive watch based on the 60s iconic divers with well-executed design, having high-quality finishing, powered by a Swiss movement that is seemingly rare these days, and finally, the price is a value proposition for any watch enthusiasts at any level. The VB-1 has all the modern-retro attributes, usually found on much higher end Swiss watches. To sum it up, the Profundo VB-1 is a modern touch of the 60s classic dive watches, and if anything, they did it right on spot with their timepieces. The VB-1 is limited to 200 pieces.