Time is always of the essence.

• Position: What's New? - Watches

Day and night are separated as the elemental parameters of the perception of time. The course of the sun determines our regeneration phases and influences the biological processes of all life forms on our planet. In extreme conditions--under water, in space, in the labyrinth of a cave system, or in a polar night--the holistic information on time can save lives. Being able to read this information easily and instantly at a glance is part of the philosophy and design concept of AirNautic's Ocean7 watches.

These timepieces are tough and functional, yet quite attractive, using styling cues such as plongeur (French for diver) hands made famous by historic, collectible dive watches of the past. Ocean7 dials are simple and pleasing to look at, uncluttered by specifications that conveniently are relegated to the back of the watch. The guiding philosophy is simple: it is necessary to be different to be better.

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Now, after two years in development, the LM-4 ceramic watch is available, as is the LM-7 Plo-Prof, a modern re-creation of the legendary dive watch (in both brushed steel and black PVD coated steel finishes)--and let's not forget about another brand-new entry, the LM-1 (the first watch ever to offer a cold carbon steel case along with a selection of easily changeable bezels).

As impressive as this lineup is, we went with the AirNautic AN-24 Pilot--there's also an AN-12 Pilot as well as an AN-12 and AN-24 Submarine--with its signature dial that is blue on top to show daylight hours and black on the bottom for nighttime. The high-contrast orange luminous...