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2 months ago | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
Aquastar’s Benthos 500 holds an important spot in dive watch history. First unveiled in 1970, it stood out from the crowd with its unique chronograph-like functionality and slow-moving 60-minute elapsed-time counter. It was bold, unconventional, and ahead of its time—until the Quartz Crisis swept the industry off course. But what if quartz hadn’t disrupted the market so quickly?
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Jan 8, 2025 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
Let’s face it: when you think of Formula One, your first thought probably isn’t, “Gee, I hope IWC drops a new Mark XX today.” But here we are, and IWC is back in the F1 game for 2025 with yet another AMG Petronas tie-in. This time, we’re looking at a no-nonsense titanium Mark XX, a clean time-and-date piece decked out in enough Petronas green to make your Speedmaster a little jealous. Just kidding, I’ll take my Speedmaster over this any day.
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Jan 6, 2025 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
Let me set the stage for you: somewhere in Switzerland, a Longines executive is sitting in a leather chair, sipping espresso, and staring out over the Alps. “What if,” they muse, “we take a perfectly good dive watch, strip it of its most basic functionality, make it out of fancy plastic, and charge five grand for it?” Cue applause from the boardroom, a slow clap from a guy in a turtleneck, and voilà—the Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon is born.
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Jan 5, 2025 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
Every watch has a story, but some watches come with adventures baked right into their DNA. If you’ve listened back to our older podcast episodes, you’ll know that my Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00777 is one of those pieces. It wasn’t just the culmination of years of quiet admiration for the brand; it was the memento of a whirlwind day in Florence that, for a moment, felt like a nightmare.
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Dec 30, 2024 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
It’s been almost ten years since we’ve started the Two Broke Watch Snobs podcast and when I sit back to think about that, I can’t help but realize how much this hobby has monopolized my time and headspace. It’s not really a bad thing, well not all the time. But this year I really tried to be mindful about how much this deep interest impacted my day-to-day life, especially all the time that it takes up between family and work obligations.
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Nov 21, 2024 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
The Seamaster Diver 300M has been a cornerstone of Omega’s dive watch legacy since its introduction in 1993. This year, the Swiss watchmaker refreshes the beloved collection with a duo of vintage-inspired models, blending classic aesthetics with modern performance. Fans got their first glimpse of the new Seamaster Diver 300M when Daniel Craig, an Omega ambassador and Bond icon, sported a sleek stainless steel version at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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Nov 13, 2024 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
Recently, Timex joined forces with The James Brand to release what many consider a game-changer in the world of affordable GMTs: a titanium-cased automatic GMT that married the utility-focused aesthetic of The James Brand with Timex’s watchmaking expertise. The result? A stylish yet rugged timepiece that flew off the shelves at $750, thanks to its “true” GMT Miyota 9075 movement and sleek design.
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Oct 30, 2024 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
It finally happened! A GMT is now part of the Pelagos family. Tudor’s new Pelagos FXD GMT expands the brand’s Pelagos line with an impressive nod to both past military collaborations and serious modern-day utility. Following in the path of Tudor’s Commando Hubert collab with France’s elite Naval Special Forces, this watch pulls together high-spec features into a GMT model ready for rugged conditions. The 42mm case is crafted in Grade 2 titanium with fixed lug bars for an extra level of robustness.
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Oct 26, 2024 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
Seiko has an enduring lineup of “greatest hits” dive watches—from the rugged Turtle and Tuna to the angular Samurai. Yet with the release of these new Seiko Prospex models (SPB481, SPB483, and SPB485), Seiko introduces an eye-catching design that’s distinctly different from anything we’ve seen in its catalog, while still staying true to its tool-watch roots. I’m still not sure how I feel about these but I like that Seiko took a significant design leap with these new divers.
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Oct 17, 2024 | 
twobrokewatchsnobs.com | Michael Peñate
Timex is making waves again, this time with the release of its Deepwater Reef 200 Titanium Automatic. Known as a quintessential American brand with a strong reputation for budget-friendly timepieces, Timex has been on a tear lately, releasing more enthusiast-oriented watches that blend high-quality materials with surprisingly attractive designs.
