Wolbrook Watches, a tool-watch brand deeply rooted in adventure and precision, proudly introduces the Skindiver Decompression Automatic MN90 to the American market. Released in July 2024 after one year of research and development, this Skindiver Automatic Watch marks a historic first in dive watch history by featuring the Marine Nationale 1990 (MN90) DecompressionTables directly on its dial.
While decompression-style diving watches have existed since the 1960s, this is the first time the French Navy MN90 Tables have been integrated onto a watch dial. More than a historical tribute, the Skindiver Decompression MN90 enhances functionality with its innovative four-color ring system, designed to provide divers with an instant depth reference—a crucial feature for safe ascent and decompression stops.
This new Wolbrook Skindiver model is visible on the official website.
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Form & Colors Follow Function: A Dial Designed For Depth
Staying true to Wolbrook’s mission of crafting robust, accessible tool-watches assembled in France, the Skindiver Decompression MN90 is as versatile as it is functional. Whether enjoying a casual Mai Tai by the beach or venturing into the ocean’s depths, this watch is built for serious business below the surface.
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The Science Behind the Four Colored Rings
One of the standout features of the Skindiver Decompression MN90 is its four colored rings on the dial—each meticulously chosen and arranged in a specific order to provide a visual indicator of depth. This is crucial for underwater navigation, especially during decompression stops.
How does it work?
As water absorbs light differently at various depths, colors disappear in the same order as they appear in the visible spectrum:
- Red, having the longest wavelength, is absorbed first.
- Orange follows as depth increases.
- Yellow disappears after orange.
- Green is the last of these colors to fade.
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The Depth-Indexed Color Rings, an innovation and protected design on the Skindiver Decompression MN90, are meticulously arranged to enhance depth perception underwater. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, they serve a crucial functional purpose, reinforcing Wolbrook’s commitment to precision and usability.
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A Groundbreaking Integration of MN90 Decompression Tables
Developed by the French Navy in1990, the MN90 Decompression Tables remain a fundamental part of professional and recreational dive training, guiding divers on the necessary decompression stops after spending specific durations at various depths. These tables are crucial for preventing decompression sickness by ensuring a safe ascent and allowing the body to expel inert gases like nitrogen.
The Skindiver Decompression MN90 provides an at-a-glance reference for stops at 9m, 6m, and 3m for dives lasting up to 55 minutes at depths between 25m and 40m. For instance, a 55-minute dive at 40m requires:
- 5 minutes at 9m
- 26 minutes at 6m
- 52 minutes at 3m
By incorporating these tables into its dial, Wolbrook blends historical significance with practical application, delivering an essential tool for divers and reinforcing its commitment to functional, adventure-ready timepieces.
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Performance Meets Restraint: A Tool-Watch For Divers
Wolbrook’s Skindiver tool-watches embrace the ‘less-is-more’ spirit of their 1960s and 1970s predecessors—refined with modern specifications. The Skindiver Decompression MN90 exemplifies this philosophy, offering precision, durability, and clarity in a streamlined design.
The Skindiver Decompression MN90 is a true diver’s watch—equipped with a big 6.7mm screw-down crown, no-date dial for maximum clarity, and a special dodecagon caseback engraved with “DECOMPRESSION TABLE MN90 – 9/6/3m”.
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Why 150m Water Resistance?
While some brands push for extreme 200m+ depth ratings, Wolbrook upholds its heritage-driven design philosophy—prioritizing comfort and practicality over excessive engineering. The 150m rating ensures a slim, comfortable case profile, while still offering ample coverage for recreational diving (most divers rarely exceed 30m).
According to ISO 6425 dive watch standards, 100m + a screw-down crown qualifies as a true diving watch—ensuring the Skindiver Decompression MN90 meets professional-grade expectations.
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HexapleX Shock Resistance: A Fathom Ahead
The HexapleX watch case architecture enhances shock resistance through strategically placed “3D” rubber shock absorbers, allowing the movement to remain in a floating configuration. This shields it from large and micro impacts, ensuring long-term accuracy and durability.
Each watch featuring HexapleX bears a distinct laser engraving on the top right lug and caseback, signifying it as the most impact-resistant Skindiver ever produced.
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Special Skindiver & MN90 Caseback
The Skindiver Decompression Automatic – MN90 features a distinctive dodecagon screw-down caseback displaying the SKINDIVER logo alongside the marking “DECOMPRESSION TABLE MN90 – 9/6/3m”. This detail anchors the model within the Wolbrook tool-watch collection, emphasizing its specialized functionality.
In 2019, Wolbrook was revived alongside the Skindiver WT, and subsequently, the Skindiver brand name used on Wolbrook dials since the 1950s was acquired and secured with a trademark. This means that only Wolbrook watches can bear the Skindiver model name in historical markets like Europe and the USA.
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Strap & Bracelet Options: Heritage Meets Modern Utility
The Skindiver Decompression MN90 is available with:
- tropic straps in black, sky blue, or yellow, made from NBR vulcanized rubber—a hypoallergenic, oil-resistant material developed in the 1940s. These rubber straps are inspired the legendary rubber strap of the 1960s.
- beads-of-rice stainless steel bracelet, a modern re-interpretation of a 1960s classic, featuring solid links, end-pieces, and a double-lock deployant clasp for security and scratch resistance.
Additionally, the watch is compatible with all Wolbrook straps and bracelets introduced since 2019.
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Availability
The Skindiver Decompression Automatic MN90 is now available on the official website.
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