ZIXEN Nitrox II Sneak Peek

[DEMO111]

ZIXEN Nitrox II
Last Thursday FedEx delivered two prototypes of the new upcoming Zixen Nitrox II. Joe sent me these two watches for evaluation and photography. I was lucky enough to see and handle these two watches being one-off prototypes.






The New Nitrox II continues in the vintage inspired heritage of previous Zinex/Zixen watches. The dimensions of these new watches hit all the right numbers IMO, 44mm diameter (excluding crown), 15mm thick, 54mm lug to lug. The lugs have a downward angle so they fit nicely on the wrist.

There is a new presentation package Zixen introduces with this new Nitrox II model. There is a new matt black outer box with a nicely embossed ZIXEN logo. The inner presentation box is a heavy, beautifully wood grained box with black velvet lining. Included are two screwdrivers, essential for sizing the mesh bracelet, and the Zixen manuals and warranty card.






The dial is a classic design and has raised hour markers to give it a nice dimesional appearance. The dial graphic picks up the "crosshairs" element seen on the previous Trimix models which tie the product line together. I am really liking the choice of hand design on these new Nitrox. The long minute hand with it's color accent and the "arrow" hour hand make for very legible quick time reference. The hour hand has a nicely brushed metal finish on the black dial version and a gloss black finish on the silver dial version. The silver dial has a radially brushed finish similar to what is seen on the Doxa Searambler.

The finish on the new Nitrox II watches is a little different than previous models. The brushing is a very refined finish, very classy and similar to the finishes on swiss watches. All surfaces have the brushed finish on these watches.

The Nitrox II will be supplied on the Zixen mesh bracelet as shown in the photos. Joe was originally thinking that the watches would come on the link bracelet but after much consideration decided on the mesh. This is a decision IMO I'm glad he went with. The vintage characteristics of this watch work so well on the quality Zixen mesh, the two just go together visually. Plus the mesh has the fold-over diver's clasp with micro adjustments.




What really surprised me and put a big grin on my face is when I flipped the watch over to view the caseback. In true characteristic of this watch there is a vintage dive helmet logo. It is nicely done in 3D relief, not etched and adds to the overall character of the watch.



Zixen has really been on a roll of incredible new releases lately. These new Nitrox II models have really impressed me and fit perfectly in the Zixen line up.

Nitrox II Specs:
Case: Antimagnetic; double O-ring, brushed stainless steel, 44mm width (excluding crown), 15mm in height.
Movement: Swiss made ETA 2824, self-winding, hacking second function, 42 hr power reserve.
Crystal: Anti-reflective coating (interior), 4.5 mm domed sapphire.
Bezel: Unidirectional, Sapphire insert, with luminous markers.
Bracelet: 24mm wide Stainless Steel Mesh or natural rubber professional grade diving strap.









Typical amazing Zixen lume


For reference I have a 7 1/4' wrist

[TheWalrus]

I like the shark!

Any word on price?

[sunster]

Great pic Dave as always and great watch Joe as always. Love that caseback and the new packaging is very very nice. Is this new for the whole zixen range or just the nitrox?

[DEMO111]

Walrus, Joe has started taking preorders now. You can click on the ZIXEN banner at the top of the page to go to the web site for pricing and preorders.

Thanks Sunster. I believe that the Nitrox II will only have this packaging, the other Zixen models will keep their existing packaging.

[siddhartha]

Pretty clear to me that Joe/Zixen really, really knows what people want, and makes them. Simply incredible!

These watches are like upscale versions of the vintage divers we know and love, taking the best design elements from those watches, and combining them with more modern updates to make excellent watches.

I am really impressed with Zixen.

[travis]

this really completes the Zixen amazing line up. I am a huge fan of the brand.
Congrats to all involved with the nitrox II. thanks for photos.

[Bloom]

Checking in to WUS today from the Oregon Coast, and am greeted with Dave's amazing photos of the new Nitrox II. Wow. Very refined and classy with beautiful retro elements. Joe is completely knocking it out of the park with his new creations. The silver one is calling my name...

[manitoujoe]

Zixen's quality is amazing. My DSR500 still hasn't left my wrist. This one looks amazing, too!

It's the detail work that makes these stand out. Like the "500m" on the Silver one. The hands selected. Love the stuff, Joe!!!

[Eric L.]

Another superb offering from Joe, with everything that is great about Zixen - no compromise on the quality, features, or presentation. I love how he doesn't use any cheap parts on it - the lume is always fantastic, the crystals are always free of distortion, the bracelets are always available, and always an ETA movement. His service is also second to none.

Will be looking forward to release information on this one.

[exc-hulk]

Great work Joe !

The silver dial looks very impressive.

You're a genius.....

[HR F1]

Looks awesome! Wish I could swing the 54mm lug to lug though.

[amnesia]

SUPERB photography (as usual)... awesome watch too.

Can you please show your studio setup in a separate thread ?

Cheers,
Daniel.

[Goalie]

I was so looking forward to this. I hate to be the first somewhat negative post, but never was a fan of mesh and just don't think the gap at the lugs looks good on a watch with a metal bracelet. If there was a option for a regular link bracelet, I would order now.

[Joe.S]

Hi Tom.....

We are investigating the integrated Bracelet, it depends on tooling cost and other factors.....we will know more next week.......:)

J...

ZIXEN WATCH INC

[Steve260]

Wow, those look fantastic!

Another winner Joe! Looks like I'll have to warm up the credit card for one of these beauties (or maybe I'll just take the plunge and get both black & silver dial versions - they are both so well done!)

Steve

[clonetrooper]

I was so looking forward to this. I hate to be the first somewhat negative post, but never was a fan of mesh and just don't think the gap at the lugs looks good on a watch with a metal bracelet. If there was a option for a regular link bracelet, I would order now.

My thoughts exactly...mesh is really not my cup of tea...what I'm not too fond of, are the silver hour/second hand...I would have prefered white...but other than that....the watch is great...I'm glad I have a Nitrox already

[Jeep99dad]

Great pics of a real cool watch! I am really liking the silver one! Wish I could see similar photos of the blue version.
I'm in for one I'm pretty sure but I'll pass on the mesh, rubber only I guess unless we can get a different link bracelet later.

[rlewisk]

i was so looking forward to this. I hate to be the first somewhat negative post, but never was a fan of mesh and just don't think the gap at the lugs looks good on a watch with a metal bracelet. If there was a option for a regular link bracelet, i would order now.

Hi Tom.....

We are investigating the integrated Bracelet, it depends on tooling cost and other factors.....we will know more next week.......:)

J..


Both, a very big +1

[mattm]

Any chance we'll get a sneak peak of the Blue one sometime soon?

[Joe.S]

All right guys, we have started to make the drawings for the integrated 7 row Bracelet with Diver clasp for the NITROX.....in addition, we will offer a Gray Sapphire bezel with C3 Tritec Lum on the limited number about 20 pieces of Silver dial, 20 Blue and rest will be Black Sapphire bezel, we will also offer the Stainless Steel bezel for all who want that model......:thanks


ZIXEN WATCH INC