Nubeo has unveiled a new iteration of its popular Ventana collection with the introduction of the Ventana Skeleton Automatic Limited Edition series. This new line features five distinct colorways, each drawing inspiration from the vibrant and largely uncharted landscapes of the deep sea, echoing the exploratory spirit of the Ventana Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
The brand
Nubeo positions itself at the intersection of two of humanity's last great frontiers: the deep sea and outer space. Their philosophy emphasizes that while terrestrial exploration has been extensive, the ocean floor remains overwhelmingly unmapped, and the expanse of space continues to hold profound mysteries. Nubeo seeks to encapsulate this spirit of discovery in its timepieces, creating watches that are not only functional instruments but also design tributes to these enigmatic realms. The brand's design language is characterized by a fusion of organic and industrial elements, aiming for a distinctive visual presentation of time that underscores performance and functionality. This conceptual underpinning is evident in their diverse watch collections, which often bear names referencing marine life, celestial bodies, and even iconic science fiction, reinforcing Nubeo's narrative of bridging the gap between the abyss and the cosmos.
Courtesy of Nubeo
The new Ventana Skeleton Automatic Limited Edition watches represent a continuation of this thematic exploration, specifically focusing on the underwater world. The collection's name itself, "Ventana," which translates from Spanish as "window," aptly suggests a view into another realm, in this case, both the depths of the ocean and the inner workings of the watch. The "Skeleton" aspect refers to the design feature that reveals the watch's movement, offering a glimpse into the mechanical heart of the timepiece.
This latest release introduces five bold color options: Wet Suit Black, Cedar Green, Merlot Red, Cobalt Blue, and Indigo. The Wet Suit Black (NB-6113-05) presents a uniformly dark aesthetic with a black case, bezel, and dial. The Cedar Green (NB-6113-02) variant features a black case complemented by a green bezel and green dial. The Merlot Red (NB-6113-03) offers a striking red case, contrasted with a black bezel and a green dial, an interesting and somewhat unexpected color combination. The Cobalt Blue (NB-6113-01) utilizes a blue case, a black bezel, and a blue dial. Finally, the Indigo (NB-6113-04) model showcases a purple case, a black bezel, and a purple dial. These color choices are intended to reflect the vivid and often surreal hues found in unexplored underwater environments, aligning with the collection's inspiration drawn from the Ventana ROV's deep-sea explorations.
Courtesy of Nubeo
Each watch in this limited edition series is meticulously crafted with features designed for durability and adventure. The substantial stainless steel case measures 50.0 mm in diameter and 16.5 mm in thickness, with a lug-to-lug distance of 50.0 mm, indicating a timepiece with a significant wrist presence. A key feature for a dive-inspired watch is its water resistance, and the Ventana Skeleton boasts an impressive 100 ATM rating. This is equivalent to approximately 1000 meters or 3280 feet, making it suitable for serious deep-sea activities. Further enhancing its underwater credentials is a helium relief valve, a specialized feature typically found on professional diving watches, which allows trapped helium atoms to escape from the watch case during decompression, preventing the crystal from being dislodged.
The dial, a focal point of the Ventana Skeleton, is a multilayered construction featuring a semi-transparent plate. This design allows the wearer to see parts of the Japanese automatic movement whirring beneath, adding a dynamic and technical visual element. The applied indices are treated with Japan Super Luminous material, ensuring readability in low-light conditions, a crucial aspect for any watch intended for exploration, whether in the deep sea or simply in dim environments. Protecting the dial is a sapphire lens, renowned for its scratch resistance, which is further enhanced with an anti-reflective coating to improve legibility by reducing glare.
The unidirectional turning bezel is another essential component for a dive watch. It allows divers to track elapsed time underwater by aligning the bezel's marker with the minute hand. The unidirectional nature ensures that any accidental bumps will only cause the bezel to show more elapsed time, a critical safety feature. The bezel features an aluminum insert. The crown, used for setting the time and winding the watch, is a screw-down type, which contributes significantly to the watch's high water resistance by creating a secure seal against water ingress.
Courtesy of Nubeo
Powering the Ventana Skeleton is a Japanese automatic movement with three hands, indicating hours, minutes, and seconds. Japanese automatic movements are generally well-regarded for their reliability and robustness. The "automatic" designation means the watch is self-winding, powered by the motion of the wearer's wrist, eliminating the need for manual winding if worn regularly or for battery changes.
The watch is secured to the wrist by a 24mm silicone strap equipped with a traditional strap buckle. Silicone is a practical choice for a dive-oriented watch due to its water resistance, durability, and comfort against the skin, even in wet conditions. The watch has a notable weight of 173 grams, consistent with its large case size and stainless steel construction.
Visually, the watches present a bold and technical appearance. The large, often colorful cases, combined with the intricate, partially exposed dial, create a strong statement. The interplay of brushed and potentially polished finishes on the stainless steel case contribute to a sense of ruggedness and refinement. The prominent bezel with its clear markings, the large, easily grippable crown, and the substantial lugs all contribute to an aesthetic that speaks of capability and purpose. The semi-transparent dial offers a captivating view of the mechanical components, a feature that many watch enthusiasts appreciate for the sense of connection it provides to the intricate engineering within. The luminous hands and markers stand out against the dial, enhancing both functionality and visual appeal, especially in darker settings where the lume would glow. The varying color schemes allow for personal expression, from the more understated Wet Suit Black to the vibrant Merlot Red or Indigo.
Courtesy of Nubeo
The limited-edition nature of this collection is a significant aspect, with only 125 pieces being produced for each of the five color variants. This scarcity adds an element of exclusivity, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts who value unique and less common timepieces. Nubeo emphasizes that these designs are as rare as the discoveries made by the Ventana ROV, tying the exclusivity of the watch back to the core theme of exploration and discovery.
The design philosophy of blending organic forms with industrial aesthetics aims to produce watches that are visually distinctive. This approach can be seen in the often bold and unconventional shapes and material combinations used in their various collections. Performance and functionality are stated as key pillars, ensuring that the watches are capable of withstanding the demanding conditions implied by their exploratory themes.
The Ventana Skeleton Automatic Limited Edition, with its robust specifications and deep-sea inspiration, fits squarely within this brand ethos. It is presented as a timepiece engineered for explorers, a tool for those who are drawn to adventure, or at least appreciate the aesthetic and capability of such a watch. The combination of high water resistance, a helium relief valve, a durable sapphire crystal, and a reliable automatic movement makes it a technically proficient instrument.
Courtesy of Nubeo
The visual presentation of the Ventana Skeleton, particularly the colored versions, is quite striking. The Merlot Red version, for example, with its red case and green dial, is an unconventional choice that is likely to stand out. The Wet Suit Black offers a more classic, tactical look, while the Cedar Green, Cobalt Blue, and Indigo provide vibrant yet deep tones reminiscent of their underwater inspirations. The skeletonized aspect of the dial adds a layer of mechanical intrigue, allowing the wearer to appreciate the complexity of the movement within. The large applied indices with Super Luminous material promise excellent legibility, which is paramount in a dive-style watch. The hands, likely broad and also lumed, would further contribute to this clarity. The overall impression is one of a substantial, modern, and purpose-built watch.
The Nubeo Ventana Skeleton Automatic Limited Edition series is priced at $1,500. Given the specifications, including 100 ATM water resistance, a sapphire crystal, a helium relief valve, an automatic movement, and the limited-edition nature of the timepieces, this price point positions the collection in a competitive segment of the market for robust, dive-style watches with unique designs. Availability is limited to 125 units per colorway and interested buyers can purchase directly from Nubeo's website or authorized dealers.
Case: Stainless Steel with helium relief valve, 50.0 mm diameter, 16.5 mm thickness, 50.0 mm lug to lug. Sapphire Lens with anti-reflective coating. Screw Down crown. Unidirectional turning bezel with aluminum insert. Water Resistance: 100 ATM.
Movement: Japanese Automatic With 3 Hands.
Dial: Multilayered dial with a semi-transparent plate. Applied Index With Japan Super Luminous.
Strap: 24mm Silicone Strap With Strap Buckle.
Price: $1,500.
Reference Number: Wet Suit Black (NB-6113-05), Cedar Green (NB-6113-02), Merlot Red (NB-6113-03), Cobalt Blue (NB-6113-01), Indigo (NB-6113-04).
Notes: Limited Edition of 125 pieces per color variant. Inspired by the Ventana ROV’s deep-sea exploration. The watch weighs 173g and comes with a 2 Years International Warranty.