UTS is a watch company that usually builds dive watches with a water resistance of up to 4,000 meters. Its smallest dive model – the 1000M V2 Dive Watch Pacific Horizon — still comes with an impressive 42-mm version of the brand’s signature case design (or 43 mm if measuring the bezel’s diameter). What makes this watch a bit less extreme and, at the same time, more versatile is, on the one hand, a blue dial (called “Pacific Horizon”) and, on the other, a reduced height of 14.5 mm, compared to its up-to-18.5-mm-tall sister models.
Found in 1999, UTS is an abbreviation for Uhren Technik Spinner, or Watch Technology Spinner with affixed lugs can be found in all of the brand’s watch models, even though the hex screws probably have a more visual than functional role when it comes to the dive watches in the collection. The result, however, is a high-tech, robust look and feel that usually is best described as a “tool watch,” despite the slightly more elegant blue dial.
Spinner assembles and mills all cases on his own CNC machines in Holzkirchen (a short drive away from Bavaria’s capital city, Munich), out of a single block of German steel, and applies the brushed finish by hand. While UTS specializes in the case design and more labor-intensive construction of small series, the movements used are primarily from ETA and, therefore, less exclusive in comparison. The UTS 1000M V2 Dive Watch Pacific Horizon we reviewed is powered by the ETA 2824-2 in “top grade” (after “Chronometer,” the second-best quality available) and adjusted in five positions; the bidirectional oscillating weight features the brand’s logo. The 2824-2 was first introduced in the ’60s and is considered to be one of the best-known and most widely used mechanical movements. It is equipped with a quick-set date and a stop-seconds function to accurately set the time; the power reserve is about 38 hours when fully wound.
The watch was launched as a limited edition of 200 pieces, individually numbered on the caseback. The optional sapphire crystal on the back is impressive from an engineering point of view (given the water resistance of 1,000 meters) and, on top of that, it offers buyers the chance to see the nicely finished movement in action. A diver, or a more demanding watch collector, however, might argue that there is no functional need for an additional case opening, or no need to offer a display caseback for such a well-known movement, and opt for the solid caseback instead. The same diver might also criticize the dive-time scale on the bezel with only the first 15 minutes marked in 1-minute increments, a comparably discreet bezel pip at 12 o’clock, and could also wish for slightly more grip around the edges of the bezel, especially when operated in water and when wearing gloves. Other than that, and thanks to the multiple strap options included, the UTS 1000M V2 most certainly won’t disappoint above or below the surface.
There is an undeniable “wrist presence” to the watch thanks to the massive lugs and the bold case design, which – when worn on the 100-gram bracelet – can also be felt, thanks to a total weight of 255 grams. The slightly larger dial (hence the V2 in the name) has a two-layered look, with a galvanic blue finish over an inner sunray pattern; the date disk between 4 and 5 o’clock is black. UTS also offers a black-dial and GMT version with a different bezel.
The hands and indexes are covered with a thick layer of blue Super-LumiNova; the bezel pip glows green (which could have been blue as well, or the minutes hand could have been covered with the same green SL to create a stronger visual link between the dive-relevant-functions bezel and the minutes hand). Readability in the dark, or deep under water, is excellent. The seconds hand is completely covered with luminous material, which helps one check if the watch is running before and during a dive in low light conditions. The screw-in crown is 7 mm in diameter and traditionally positioned at 3 o’clock, slightly more exposed than on the 3,000- and 4,000-meter water-resistant models. Surprisingly, and even though all UTS watches are made in Germany, there is no additional text on the dial (or caseback) mentioning their origin.
We especially liked the technical, no-nonsense styling; the robust construction; and that a comparably small watch company has managed to create a collection of watches with a rather distinctive design. Even though the price might seem high, the small production number, the personal involvement of the company’s founder in the production and assembly process, and, most of all, the technical look of the UTS 1000M V2 Dive Watch Pacific Horizon represent an attractive option for anyone appreciating German engineering — in this case with a touch of blue, befitting a watch that has been built in Bavaria.
SPECS:
- Manufacturer: UTS München, Ing.-Büro Nicolas Spinner, P.O. Box 1429, 83604 Holzkirchen, Germany
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date display, unidirectional rotatable dive bezel (60 clicks)
- Movement: ETA 2824-2, automatic, “top grade” (adjusted in five positions), 28,800 vph, 25 jewels, stop-seconds function, date quickset, Incabloc shock absorption, Glucydur balance, 38-hour power reserve; diameter = 25.6 mm, height = 4.6 mm
- Case: Stainless steel, lugs and caseback mounted with hex screws, 3-mm sapphire crystal with nonreflective treatment, optional sapphire window in caseback, screwed crown, water-resistant to 1,000 meters
- Strap and clasp: 22-mm-wide steel bracelet with folding clasp and built-in divers’ extension, blue isofrane rubber strap with steel buckle, black rubber strap with steel buckle
- Dimensions: Diameter = 42 mm (43-mm bezel); height = 14.5 mm; weight = 155 g with rubber strap, 255 g with bracelet
- Variations: Solid caseback; black dial and ETA 2893-2 GMT movement
- Price: €3,000
