Although the American-based Nixon The Ceramic 42-20 replica watch brand Nixon is mostly known for its youth-oriented, comparatively inexpensive models, their recently introduced Nixon The Ceramic 42-20 automatic diving watch is created with a higher price tag in mind.
Compared to their earlier attempts at making ceramic watches, the new piece looks a lot more interesting. There is something refined about how all parts are nicely adjusted to each other and how well they are formed and polished.
Equipped with the well-known Sellita SW-200 Swiss made automatic movement (this is a clone of the famous ETA 2824-2 caliber and a good one at that,) the watch is delivered in a black or white ceramic case, which is further reinforced “with stainless steel skeleton.” Perhaps, by the word they mean the usual steel cage that houses the movement and provides extra structural rigidity to the whole setup.
The rotating bezel, as well as the screw-down crown, which is located at a rather unusual position at 9 o’clock, is also made of this virtually scratch-resistant material. Both parts are color-keyed giving the mens replica Nixon watch even more expensive look.
On the other hand, some people may find the setting crown somewhat uncomfortable. Also fairly large and long, the way it is placed on the left side of the case makes using it a bit of a pain for us righties.
Talking about the movement once again, I should probably stress that the mechanism is robust, very reliable and is also quite good at keeping time, although it is probably not as good as a COSC-certified mechanism you would be able to find in this price range (but then you would have to trade the extremely cool ceramic body in favor a more accurate movement hidden in more mundane steel or titanium case), it is still precise enough for a normal person.
At 42 millimeters in diameter, The Ceramic 42-20 is as large as an average diving timekeeper that you will find on the market. It is, however, a bit too thick thanks to its massive unidirectional rotating bezel. On a plus side, I must say that the notched bezel provides very good grip, which may be handy if you plan to operate it with hands protected by neoprene gloves.
Perhaps, my only complaint here is that the mechanism comes in almost stock form: besides the black oscillating weight that seems to feature the usual PVD finish, the caliber looks precisely as any other SW 200 you would find in a lot less expensive timepiece.
Priced at $2000 USD, the time measuring device is also equipped with a sapphire crystal. Alas, its transparent numbered case-back is made of hardened mineral glass.
While the traditional diving scale on the bezel doesn’t look very legible, the dial with its large rectangular hour markers, huge and bold Arabic numerals, as well as relatively wide hour and minute hands (all of them are covered with Superluminova that looks very contrast white at broad daylight and glows quite brightly in darkness) provides very good readability in almost every lighting scenario.
See also: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 116610LN Diving Watch
Photos: Nixon Watches
Nixon Ceramic 42-20 automatic diving watch specification
Price: $2000 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Sellita SW200, 26 jewels, 28,800 vph, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Black oscillating weight
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 38 hours
Case material: Steel and Ceramic
Bezel material: Ceramic
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 42.00 mm
Lug width: 20.00 mm
Case height: No data
Dial: Black or White
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Custom solid ceramic with individual screw pin links and custom solid stainless steel butterfly buckle
Crystal: Sapphire
Case back: Mineral, hardened
Still, the new Nixon Ceramic 42-20 is rated for depths of down to 200 meters, which actually makes it one of the nicest-looking affordable replica Nixon diving watches that I have seen this year.