CiRCULA, an independent watch manufacturer based in Pforzheim, Germany, is expanding its collection of high-quality mechanical tool watches with a new diving model, the ProSea. This new release follows the popular ProTrail, translating the brand's robust design language into a maritime context. The watch blends a modern, tactical aesthetic with the functional requirements of a true diving instrument. The design, penned by internationally recognized designer Guy Bove, introduces a multifaceted case and a unique dial texture inspired by nature.
The CiRCULA brand itself is rooted in the history of German watchmaking. It was originally founded in 1955 by Heinz Huber in Pforzheim, one of the traditional centers of the German watch industry. The name "CiRCULA" was chosen to represent the continuous circulation of gears within a mechanical movement, symbolizing a commitment to traditional mechanics, reliability, and functional design. Today, the company is led in its third generation by Heinz's grandson, Cornelius Huber, who has continued the focus on creating durable tool watches that merge German craftsmanship with precise Swiss movements.
Courtesy of Circula
The ProSea represents a clear evolution for the brand, aiming to be a reliable companion for any adventure. The design directive was to create a modern diving watch that was both highly functional and visually distinctive. The influence of the ProTrail model is apparent in its tactical character, but the ProSea is entirely its own entity. The core theme is drawn from the ocean, specifically the majestic manta ray. This inspiration is not just a marketing concept; it is physically integrated into the watch's design, from the dial's primary texture to the embossed art on the case back, creating a cohesive marine theme.
The case of the ProSea is a significant part of its appeal, starting with its material. It is crafted from 316L stainless steel, but it undergoes a special surface hardening treatment. This process increases the steel's hardness to an impressive 1200 Vickers. For comparison, standard 316L stainless steel is typically around 200 Vickers. This hardening makes the case exceptionally resistant to scratches and daily wear, reinforcing its "tool watch" credentials. It is built to withstand the elements and maintain its appearance through rigorous use.
This durable case is given a uniform, hand-sandblasted finish. This bead-blasted surface is matte, non-reflective, and perfectly suits the watch's tactical, utilitarian character. It avoids polished surfaces that would readily show fingerprints and small scratches, opting instead for a finish that is all business. The case's geometry is modern and angular, featuring sharp facets rather than simple curves. A notable design detail is the sand-textured milled recesses on the case sides, which add visual sophistication and break up the profile.
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Despite its robust build, the ProSea is designed with compact, wearable dimensions. The case measures 40 mm in diameter (without the crown), hitting a modern sweet spot that appeals to a wide range of wrist sizes. The critical lug-to-lug measurement is a very manageable 46 mm, ensuring the watch will sit comfortably and avoid overhang on most wrists. The lug width is a standard 20 mm, allowing for easy strap changes.
The watch's profile is also relatively slim for a 200-meter diver. The case height is 11.7 mm without the crystal, and 12.9 mm including the crystal. This allows it to function as an everyday companion that can, if necessary, slip under a cuff. The watch is engineered for water resistance up to 200 meters (20 ATM), secured by a screw-down crown that is embossed with the CiRCULA logo. The case structure is a two-part design with a solid, screwed-in steel back, which provides a solid foundation for the movement inside.
Flipping the watch over reveals the solid case back, which is embossed with a detailed depiction of a manta ray, reinforcing the watch's central theme. The case back also features engravings denoting its "Made in Germany" origin, "ProSea" model name, "200M" water resistance, and "Swiss MVT" caliber. The internal construction includes a stainless steel movement retaining ring, which is a durable and reliable method for securing the caliber against shocks.
Protecting the dial is a slightly domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Sapphire is the industry standard for high-quality watches due to its extreme hardness. To ensure maximum readability and prevent glare, the crystal is treated with a triple anti-reflective coating on the inside. Placing the coating on the interior surface is a practical decision, as it prevents the AR coating itself from being scratched, which can happen with external coatings.
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The ProSea features a 120-click unidirectional diving bezel, a standard safety feature for timing dives. The bezel's insert is made from scratch-resistant ceramic, which has been given a matte, brushed finish. This is a significant upgrade from traditional aluminum inserts, as ceramic is virtually scratch-proof and will not fade over time. The markings on the bezel are filled with luminous material to ensure visibility in low-light conditions.
A defining feature of the watch's face is its dial, which has a unique matte texture inspired by the skin of a manta ray. This subtle, granular pattern gives the dial a dynamic quality, playing with light and providing a distinctive backdrop for the hands and markers. The dial is available in three different colors: a deep Blue, a technical Anthracite, and a unique Petrol, which is a rich teal or greenish-blue.
Readability is further enhanced by the rehaut, which is the inner flange ring between the dial and the crystal. On the ProSea, this minute ring is designed with a unique half-matte, half-brushed finish. This split finish creates an unusual visual effect and adds another layer of depth to the dial architecture. The dial maintains a clean symmetry thanks to the inclusion of a color-matched date window at the 6 o'clock position, which blends seamlessly into the design.
The indices are hand-applied and brushed, standing tall against the textured dial. They are generously filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova to ensure legibility in the dark. The handset is similarly brushed and legible. CiRCULA has employed a strategic two-tone lume application for clear, functional differentiation. The hour hand, second hand, and all the hour indices are filled with BGW9, which provides a bright blue glow.
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For the critical dive-timing components, the watch uses a different lume. The minute hand and all the bezel markings are filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova C3 in the X1 grade, which is the highest quality level available. C3 X1 provides an intense green glow. This dual-color system is a purposeful design choice: a diver primarily tracks their bottom time using the minute hand and the bezel, and having them glow in a different, distinct color from the other indicators makes for an unambiguous reading at a glance.
Inside the ProSea beats the Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement in the Elaboré grade. This caliber is a well-known and respected "workhorse" movement, chosen for its proven reliability and ease of service. It is an automatic, self-winding movement that operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and utilizes 26 bearing jewels. It features a ball-bearing rotor, bidirectional winding, a hacking seconds function (which stops the second hand when setting the time), and a quickset date.
The SW200-1 provides a power reserve of a minimum of 38 hours, with a typical runtime of 41 hours. The movement is also equipped with Incabloc® shock protection, further enhancing its durability as a tool watch. While the movement is Swiss-made, CiRCULA performs fine adjustment in its own workshop in Pforzheim. The brand regulates the movements to an accuracy of -5 to +7 seconds per day, a stricter tolerance than the standard Elaboré grade.
The ProSea is offered with two primary attachment options, both equipped with a quick-exchange system for easy, tool-free swaps. The standard option is a hybrid rubber strap. This strap is designed for comfort and durability, featuring rubber on the inside for water resistance and comfort against the skin, and a tough Cordura textile on the outside for a tactical look. This strap fastens with a traditional pin buckle. The watch with the hybrid strap has a total weight of 90 grams.
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The second option is a solid 316L stainless steel bracelet. This bracelet is also scratch-resistant, likely featuring the same hardening treatment as the case, and has solid, screwed links for easy sizing (a screwdriver is included). The bracelet secures with a safety clasp that includes a tool-free, on-the-fly micro-adjustment system. This is a premium feature that allows the wearer to quickly and easily adjust the fit, for example, to wear over a wetsuit or simply for comfort changes throughout the day. The watch on its complete steel bracelet weighs 160 grams.
The new CiRCULA ProSea collection is scheduled to be available from November 13, 2025, directly from the brand's online shop. The pricing is set at USD/EUR 1,090 (inclusive of taxes) for the model on the hybrid rubber strap. The price for the watch with both the rubber strap and the hardened steel bracelet is USD/EUR 1,290. As a launch promotion, customers who order in the pre-sale by November 13, 2025, will also receive a high-quality, color-matching tropical rubber band free of charge, with nine color options available.
Case: 316L stainless steel with scratch-resistant surface hardening (1,200 Vickers), sandblasted finish. 40 mm diameter, 46 mm lug to lug, 11.7 mm height (12.9 mm incl. crystal), 20 mm lug width. 20 ATM (200m) water resistance. Screw-down crown and screw-in steel back with manta ray embossing. 120-click unidirectional bezel with matte, brushed ceramic insert (luminous indices). Slightly domed sapphire crystal with triple inner anti-reflective coating.
Movement: Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré grade, automatic, Made in Switzerland. 28,800 vph, 26 jewels, min. 38h (typically 41h) power reserve. Hacking seconds, quickset date, Incabloc® shock protection. Fine-adjusted in Pforzheim to -5/+7 sec/day.
Dial: Matte texture inspired by manta ray skin; available in Blue, Petrol, and Anthracite. Half matte/half brushed rehaut. Hand-applied brushed indices with Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 (blue glow). Brushed hands: hour and second hands with BGW9, minute hand with C3 X1 (green glow). Color-matched date at 6 o'clock.
Strap: Hybrid rubber strap (rubber inside, Cordura® outside) with quick exchange system and pin buckle. Optional: Solid, scratch-resistant steel bracelet with quick exchange system, screwed links, and safety clasp with tool-free micro-adjustment.
Price: USD/EUR 1,090 (incl. taxes) with rubber strap; USD/EUR 1,290 for both straps.
Notes: The case is hardened to 1,200 Vickers for extreme scratch resistance. The watch uses a dual-color lume system for clear dive timing: C3 X1 (green) for the minute hand and bezel, and BGW9 (blue) for the main time indicators.