Delma’s Cayman dive watches draw inspiration from the brand’s skin divers of the 1970s. These timepieces exhibit a sleek and slightly more compact design compared to their professional counterparts, though they do have a larger diameter of 42mm, exceeding the typical size of traditional skin divers, which usually measure under 40mm. Striking a harmonious balance between professional and recreational wristwatches, the collection boasts an impressive depth rating that even allows them to be utilized by saturation divers. Recently, the Cayman Bronze model was introduced, featuring a bronze case and a variety of dial colors, adding a warmer aesthetic and embracing a popular trend while still preserving the timeless essence of Delma’s collection.
Bronze watches
It would be fantastic if we could all afford luxurious gold watches. Nonetheless, bronze serves as a worthy alternative, offering a comparable warmth and an entirely distinct vibe compared to steel. Unlike gold, bronze develops a unique patina over time, further enriching its character and serving as a reminder that it thrives without excessive care. The Cayman Bronze series stands out for its focus on outdoor functionality, making it ideal for adventurous pursuits both on land and in the depths of the sea. It presents a perfect fusion for a watch adorned with a bronze case.
Bronze is an alloy primarily composed of copper and tin, although variations exist that incorporate elements such as aluminum, nickel, zinc, and more. This metal boasts both antimagnetic and robust properties, exhibiting exceptional resistance to corrosion, especially in saltwater environments. While it was commonly utilized in the past for diving helmets, along with copper and brass, bronze is a relatively new material in the realm of watch cases. Its debut can be traced back to the 1980s. Panerai, known for its expertise in submersible watches and dedicated following, had already experimented with bronze a few years prior, in 1985, producing four bronze prototypes alongside a series of eight (with the remaining four crafted from titanium). These early bronze watch cases are among the earliest examples from a prominent brand.
The Cayman
Unlike other bronze watches, Delma’s Cayman collection is not solely focused on aesthetics. The use of bronze in this timepiece is primarily driven by its exceptional resistance to salt water, allowing the watch to descend to depths of up to 500 meters. While the Cayman’s bronze exterior exudes a cool and captivating appeal, it is worth noting that this particular model is designed more for land-based activities rather than deep-sea diving. With a case diameter of 42mm and a height of 13.3mm, the Cayman strikes a balance between a substantial presence on the wrist and practicality for both field and underwater use. The bronze alloy used in its construction is CUSN6, which contains a lower tin content and is specially suited for highly corrosive environments. Although stainless steel models are also resistant to seawater, they lack the distinctive allure of the bronze variant.
Bronze truly complements the overall aesthetic of the Cayman timepiece. Over time, the bronze surface will naturally oxidize and develop a unique patina, ensuring that each watch possesses its own distinctive character. This individuality is something that cannot be replicated with gold or stainless steel timepieces. Despite its impressive 500-meter water resistance, the Cayman also features a steel exhibition case back, allowing wearers to appreciate the intricate horological details.
The texture
The Cayman collection showcases a variety of dial colors such as black, blue, and silver. However, the field watches within this collection only offered black dials—until now. Enter the remarkable Delma Cayman Bronze series, which introduces a captivating twist with its sand-textured finish on the dials. This innovative texture not only resists reflections but also adds a stylish touch. The options have expanded, with the inclusion of blue, green, and brown dials, complemented by hybrid Cordura rubber straps featuring bronze pin buckles in matching hues. For convenience, the straps are equipped with quick-release levers, a feature that I believe should be standard for all watch straps.
While the new Cayman Bronze watches present exciting colors and textures, the dial design remains consistent. Oversized Arabic numerals grace the 12, 6, and 9 o’clock positions, creating a bold aesthetic. Positioned at 3 o’clock, a framed date window complements the dial—appearing black on the black dial variant and white on the other three options. To ensure legibility in low-light conditions, the numerals, indices, hour, minute, and seconds hands are all coated with Super-LumiNova C3. Adding a distinctive touch, a 24-hour scale is printed in red within the main indices, distinguishing these watches from their diver counterparts. I appreciate the versatility of this feature, as it caters to a wider audience while maintaining excellent water resistance, without compromising on functionality.
Final notes
I have a great admiration for skin divers, including those that deviate from the conventional norms, particularly in terms of size. The latter is precisely what we encounter here—an elegant design with a narrow bezel, yet boasting a substantial 42mm diameter. In terms of appearance, it stands favorably alongside the renowned Oris Divers Sixty-Five, which offers a 40mm alternative. Although the aforementioned series only provides a water resistance rating of 100 meters, I am willing to accept the 2mm increase in size. The textured dials significantly enhance its overall aesthetic, exuding a sporty and rugged appeal. However, it is the bronze case that truly steals the spotlight. Its patina is superficial, leaving the underlying metal unaffected, thus adding a touch of personalization. While this might deter some individuals, I personally find it quite appealing. Moreover, the introduction of new dial colors adds a dash of style to these traditionally serious tool watches. Thankfully, these colors are not excessively vibrant or garish, preventing any hint of cartoonishness. If you seek a highly capable Swiss timepiece reminiscent of a skin diver, without burdening your finances, this option surpasses most alternatives.