With their durable construction, fascinating military history, and timeless good looks, dive watches are catnip for collectors—and fertile ground for watchmakers too. Watchmakers are always finding new ways to reinterpret tradition, but actually recreating a vintage watch is a difficult balancing act between old and new. That’s what makes the Jacques Bianchi JB200 so special: It’s a remake of a unique, limited-edition dive watch used by the French Navy, and it preserves the character and history of the original while adding some modern updates. In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies
The story begins in 1982, when French watchmaker Jacques Bianchi released the original JB200. With its 42mm stainless-steel case, large indices, and French-made quartz movement, it was a rugged, dependable dive watch. It also had some unique features, including a winding crown at the 9 o’clock position and a large image of a diver that dominated its sleek black dial. Initially, only 100 models were produced. A few years passed, and the watch attracted the attention of the French Navy. The government agency responsible for purchasing military equipment bought around 60 watches for military use. Information about exactly who wore them is limited, but thanks to some sleuthing and extensive reviews of repair records, it appears these early JB200s were put to use on the wrists of divers aboard helicopters and patrol ships.
The Best Men’s Shorts for Summer 2021
Read article
Courtesy Image The new watch carries over many of the hallmarks of its predecessor. It retains the 42mm stainless steel case with the left-side crown (and the water resistance—it’s rated to 200 meters). The design of the hands—stick for hours, arrow for minutes, and “square lollipop” for seconds—remains the same, and, of course, the iconic image of the diver on the dial returns as well. One glance at this watch tells you everything you need to know: It’s made for the water.
The Best Men’s Button-Down Shirts for Summer
Read article
Still, the new JB200 isn’t an exact replica; it comes with some tasteful updates. Some of these changes make an already legible watch even easier to read. The date window from the original has been dropped, allowing for a clearer, more symmetric dial, and the circle and block indices have been enlarged slightly. They, along with the hands and bezel markers, have also been upgraded with Super-LumiNova for exceptional brightness and legibility in low-light conditions. Interestingly, the designers opted for retro tech to power the new JB200. In place of the original timepiece’s quartz movement, they swapped in a Seiko NH35 mechanical movement with automatic winding. That gives this new watch a vintage feel that even the ’80s original didn’t quite have. The JB200 is fully funded on Kickstarter, but you can back it for a discounted price on the watch. Completed watches are estimated to ship in December 2021, and you can get more info on the Jacques Bianchi website. [$709; kickstarter.com] Get it
30 Best Leg Exercises and Workouts of All Time
Build strength from the ground up with these lower-body moves. Read article
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
Grab Some New Under Armour Releases Right Now
Celebrate With The Kansas City Chiefs Color Blocked Fleece 2.0
13 Best Men’s Colognes in 2023
The Best Walking Shoes for Traveling
Show Your Support With This UA Black History Month Hoodie
10 Best Face Washes for Black Men
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
With their durable construction, fascinating military history, and timeless good looks, dive watches are catnip for collectors—and fertile ground for watchmakers too. Watchmakers are always finding new ways to reinterpret tradition, but actually recreating a vintage watch is a difficult balancing act between old and new. That’s what makes the Jacques Bianchi JB200 so special: It’s a remake of a unique, limited-edition dive watch used by the French Navy, and it preserves the character and history of the original while adding some modern updates.
In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies
The story begins in 1982, when French watchmaker Jacques Bianchi released the original JB200. With its 42mm stainless-steel case, large indices, and French-made quartz movement, it was a rugged, dependable dive watch. It also had some unique features, including a winding crown at the 9 o’clock position and a large image of a diver that dominated its sleek black dial. Initially, only 100 models were produced.
A few years passed, and the watch attracted the attention of the French Navy. The government agency responsible for purchasing military equipment bought around 60 watches for military use. Information about exactly who wore them is limited, but thanks to some sleuthing and extensive reviews of repair records, it appears these early JB200s were put to use on the wrists of divers aboard helicopters and patrol ships.
The Best Men’s Shorts for Summer 2021
Read article
The Best Men’s Shorts for Summer 2021
Read article
The Best Men’s Shorts for Summer 2021
The new watch carries over many of the hallmarks of its predecessor. It retains the 42mm stainless steel case with the left-side crown (and the water resistance—it’s rated to 200 meters). The design of the hands—stick for hours, arrow for minutes, and “square lollipop” for seconds—remains the same, and, of course, the iconic image of the diver on the dial returns as well. One glance at this watch tells you everything you need to know: It’s made for the water.
The Best Men’s Button-Down Shirts for Summer
Read article
Still, the new JB200 isn’t an exact replica; it comes with some tasteful updates. Some of these changes make an already legible watch even easier to read. The date window from the original has been dropped, allowing for a clearer, more symmetric dial, and the circle and block indices have been enlarged slightly. They, along with the hands and bezel markers, have also been upgraded with Super-LumiNova for exceptional brightness and legibility in low-light conditions.
The Best Men’s Button-Down Shirts for Summer
Read article
The Best Men’s Button-Down Shirts for Summer
Interestingly, the designers opted for retro tech to power the new JB200. In place of the original timepiece’s quartz movement, they swapped in a Seiko NH35 mechanical movement with automatic winding. That gives this new watch a vintage feel that even the ’80s original didn’t quite have.
The JB200 is fully funded on Kickstarter, but you can back it for a discounted price on the watch. Completed watches are estimated to ship in December 2021, and you can get more info on the Jacques Bianchi website.
[$709; kickstarter.com]
30 Best Leg Exercises and Workouts of All Time
Build strength from the ground up with these lower-body moves. Read article
30 Best Leg Exercises and Workouts of All Time
Build strength from the ground up with these lower-body moves. Read article
30 Best Leg Exercises and Workouts of All Time
Build strength from the ground up with these lower-body moves.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
Grab Some New Under Armour Releases Right Now
Celebrate With The Kansas City Chiefs Color Blocked Fleece 2.0
13 Best Men’s Colognes in 2023
The Best Walking Shoes for Traveling
Show Your Support With This UA Black History Month Hoodie
10 Best Face Washes for Black Men
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More News
Grab Some New Under Armour Releases Right Now
Celebrate With The Kansas City Chiefs Color Blocked Fleece 2.0
13 Best Men’s Colognes in 2023
The Best Walking Shoes for Traveling
Show Your Support With This UA Black History Month Hoodie
10 Best Face Washes for Black Men
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More News
Grab Some New Under Armour Releases Right Now
Celebrate With The Kansas City Chiefs Color Blocked Fleece 2.0
13 Best Men’s Colognes in 2023
The Best Walking Shoes for Traveling
Show Your Support With This UA Black History Month Hoodie
10 Best Face Washes for Black Men
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
