The latest watch from Paula Reis looks like a winner for one reason; where else can you get a 300m dive watch for under £90? But wait, there is a catch here.

Would you really dive 980 feet with a 90 quid watch on your wrist? Your NWC writer says no thanks, as he owns two Paula Reis watches and although they do a nice job there are some sharp edges, a clasp that needed some tweaking to close properly etc.

Final thought, as Jerry Springer might say; the Ocean has a hardlex crystal and Paula Reis worked out 300m as being 660 feet. It is actually 984 feet.

Yeah, let’s leave that bold dive watch claim aside and just consider how nicely the Chinese brand has incorporated elements of the Breitling Superocean, TAG’s F1 and the Omega Planet Ocean into one, fairly understated, yet attractive watch. Attractive on dry land that is.

In blue, white or black, leather strap or mesh bracelet, this one has all the classic design features of modern Swiss watches. Plain hour markers, a modest bezel and spear or arrow shaped hands. A date window and six and some basic script shows that the Chinese are learning that less is more sometimes.

Inside there’s an auto movement, probably based on the DG unit that’s in many Chinese watches. The DG is a homage to the Miyota 8215 and it’s generally reliable.

My own fave is the blue dial with Milanese mesh bracelet, which I reckon makes a decent dress watch for under 100 notes.

More here.