By employing various innovations to protect the movement from external shocks, the result is a watch where distinctive design elements come together, embodying an aesthetic of 'protection.' The thick, rugged case, the separately constructed bezel with packing sandwiched in, screws, and end pieces all evoke images of fortresses, shields, and armor—symbols of defense. The watch gives a tough impression, suggesting it can withstand even the harshest environments.
What is interesting here is that the word 'ruggedness' can be reinterpreted from the user's perspective as a 'sense of security in being protected.' Because it is so well protected, users feel reassured that it can handle rough treatment, allowing them to use it freely and closely rather than keeping it at a distance. The design greatly contributes to this psychological benefit.
This model makes you realize the gap between its rugged, heavy appearance and the soft advantages it offers users, such as reliability and peace of mind.
The case, with its armor-like, massive form, is truly impressive. Due to the small dial opening, it feels more compact than its actual size. Combined with the lightness of titanium, it is perfectly suitable for everyday use.
The dial opening is just 23 mm, giving it an even smaller appearance than its actual dimensions. This can be seen as a result of enlarging the exterior to protect the movement.
The hour hand is triangular, the minute hand is rectangular, and the tip of the second hand features a prominent round luminescence. By varying the shapes, legibility is improved.
The extension buckle with a ratchet allows the watch to be worn even over mountaineering clothing.
The case back is recessed on the wrist side, with no protrusions. A rubber cover is attached to fill this gap, providing a comfortable fit.
The use of many minus screws and multiple components gives a sense of its complex construction. While intricate integrated shapes created by machining are symbols of 'precision,' this separate structure also conveys a different kind of 'precision.' The structure labeled 'shock-resistant bezel' allows the packing to absorb shocks. The vertical rise, as if towering, adds to its powerful presence.
The screw-lock structure prevents shocks from the side surface of the crown from being transmitted directly to the movement. It is also designed to minimize protrusions.
ENGINEER'S EYE
Super Tough
This is a Super Tough model that increased impact resistance to three times the then-current JIS standard for diver's watches.
In addition to surrounding the movement area with NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) as a shock-absorbing material, the case structure employs a separated design consisting of an inner main case and an outer perimeter case, allowing the main case—including the movement—to move and absorb impacts.
To absorb impacts from the bezel side (top surface), a structure is adopted that places packing between the bezel and the main case. To prevent shocks received by the screw-lock crown from being transmitted directly to the setting stem, the crown body is housed inside the case.
To prevent solar cell damage due to impact, the dial uses a two-layer structure with a honeycomb-patterned stainless steel overlay to increase strength. The surface treatment of the case and band is titanium nitride coating with excellent wear resistance, resulting in a tough watch with enhanced impact resistance down to the details.