Since its foundation, Delma, an independent Swiss brand, has shown a particular fondness for diving watches and, over the years, this has remained a key component in their innovations and performance. The new Shell Star Bronze evokes the legacy and progress in the world of diving and, at the same time, watchmaking. Andreas Leibundgut, Marketing Director, said: "The Shell Star represents a special model for Delma, as it was the first professional diver's watch produced by the brand. It captured the world's attention with its release in 1975, establishing Delma's reliability in making professional divers. In this most recent extension of the collection, we have decided to reinvent the look of Shell Star by taking inspiration from the model and the historical period in which its predecessor was created. Delma's early success with divers can be attributed to the exceptional technical qualities of its watches and their capacity for continuous evolution, linked to the ever-increasing popularity and extremity of diving. In the late 1960s, Periscope, the brand's first diver's watch, demonstrated innovation and potential underwater. When Shell Star was launched in 1975, it met the needs of professional divers and consolidated Delma's position as experts in the field. These models paved the way for the Blue Shark collection first launched in 2011 to further amplify the brand's performance and experience at ever greater depths. Solid bronze was chosen for the case of the new Shell Star because of its unique characteristic of becoming more personal with exposure to the elements. This is in fact considered a 'living' metal as interaction with water, air and sun causes oxidation and the creation of a unique natural patina. Thanks to this fascinating characteristic, each Shell Star Bronze changes its appearance over time in different ways, depending on the wearer's lifestyle. These characteristics make the new Shell Star Bronze charismatic both in and out of the water. Durability and comfort are also essential in the new version. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, is particularly resistant to corrosion. It has long been used in the naval field and in professional diving, including portholes and deck fittings, as well as diving equipment, and thus proved ideal for the new Delma diver's watch. The stainless steel back creates a barrier between the responsive bronze and the wrist, while the characteristic concave shape of Shell Star's case is used to ensure maximum comfort. Shell Star has a profile that unmistakably pays homage to the 1970s. The curves of the silhouette are reminiscent of the typical design elements of that period. The wide, toothed bezel is accompanied by integrated lugs that blend perfectly with the sinuous protection of the crown, which exudes elegant robustness. In line with the high standards set by the company, Delma's new Shell Star Bronze features a unidirectional rotating bezel with luminescent hour markers and numerals, and a precise control of the dive time. The helium gas escape valve and screw-down crown increase its resistance and functionality, guaranteeing water resistance to an impressive 500 metres. The hands and indexes treated with Super-LumiNova C3 ensure excellent visibility even in total darkness. True to the spirit of the collection, Shell Star Bronze has the key features of its predecessors: a central gladius seconds hand, a "chemin de fer" minute track and orange and white hour markers. The sand-blasted textured dial in green, blue and brown is reminiscent of the seabed and the combination with bold, earthy colours is a tribute to the 1970s. The customised Delma movement, with its gold-plated rotor, reveals itself through the stainless steel back with central porthole. The aged leather bracelet can be matched or complemented to the colour of the dial, creating 5 limited edition combinations. Like its predecessors, Shell Star Bronze exceeds in style and durability.
Shell Star Bronze
Limited edition of 500 pieces.
Price: 1,490 euro.
Data sheet
Case and bezel
Case in superior, anti-magnetic, corrosion-resistant bronze with unidirectional rotating bezel, also in bronze. Luminescent indices and numerals in Super-LumiNova C3. Screw-locked crown with protective straps. Stainless steel case back with central porthole to show the movement decorated with customised Delma rotor.
Waterproof
500 m/1650 ft.
Helium vent valve.
Dial
Protected by sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Sandblasted metal dial (blue, green or brown) with 'chemin de fer' minute track, large luminescent hour markers and Super-LumiNova C3 hands.
Movement
ETA Calibre 2824.m powering the central hour, minute and seconds hand and the date at 3 o'clock. Self-winding mechanism with ball bearing, frequency 28'800, 25 jewels, 38-hour power reserve.
Strap
Genuine aged leather with stitched contrast stitching and bronze buckle.
Packaging
In natural wood.
