Campy one-liners? Giant CGI shark? Big action set pieces? It must be a Hollywood big-budget monster movie. There is nothing wrong with that as such ‘popcorn’ movies can be pretty enjoyable. The Meg is an over-the-top action/horror movie starring Jason Statham as a deep-sea mining engineer. Along with a team of other engineers and scientists, he comes across a still living and ravenous Megalodon shark.
If you are a timepiece fan, you most likely noticed several fancy-looking watches worn by the actors throughout this movie. It also doesn’t take a detective to figure out that all of the timepieces here are dive watches.
Before we check out the outstanding watches featured in this big-budget monster flick, let us first run through some nifty little trivia about the film itself.
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The Movie is Based on a Novel
The 2018 monster movie, The Meg, is loosely based on the 1997 book Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror, written by Steve Alten. Reading the book, though, I wished they stuck a bit more to the source material as the novel opened up with a Tyrannosaurus Rex fighting a Megalodon shark. The book also had an even more over-the-top climax than the movie that I won’t spoil here.
That’s One Big Shark
The Megalodon we see in the film measures 75-feet long, which’s about four times larger than the Great White Shark. The fin is about 8-feet tall, and it can generate speeds of up to 80 knots or more in the movie. The Meg in the film is entirely CGI, which makes me wish they built a practical animatronic so that we have an actual physical reference to the sheer size of this prehistoric beast.
Watches Worn in The Meg
Jason Statham as Jonas Taylor – IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition La Cumbre Volcano
Since the launch, in 1980, of the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 (Ref. 37000), IWC has been known for making some of the top Chronograph watches – and this example is no exception.
Jason Statham wears a limited-edition IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition La Cumbre Volcano in the movie. Due to the La Cumbre Volcano watch having only 500 pieces made, it is tough to find, and if you do find one, it is pretty expensive.
The closest alternative we found in the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galapagos. The La Cumbre Volcano is a fantastic dive watch that incorporates a 44 steel case covered with silicone for added shock resistance and comfort underwater.
The brushed gray dial adds a level of rugged appeal to the watch, while the two concentric patterns used on both sub-dials adds a layer of sophistication to the detail. There is also a date display located beside the 3 o’clock marker.
The IWC Aquatimer La Cumbre Volcano took its name after the La Cumbre volcano found in the Fernandina island of the Galapagos, which erupted back in 2009. Now, you have more appreciation for this timepiece’s black and ashen aesthetic, along with a dark red accent that is the visual representation of smoldering lava.
Inside the IWC Aquatimer La Cumbre is a caliber 89365 movement with a solid 68-hour power reserve. The La Cumbre timepiece also has excellent 300-meter water resistance, making it an ideal dive watch when fighting off prehistoric sea monsters.
Li Bingbing as Suyin – Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec
The gorgeous Li Bingbing wears an equally striking timepiece, the Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec. This choice of watch is not exactly surprising, considering that the actress is a brand ambassador of the watch since 2016. So, it is pretty much in her contract to wear this timepiece, which is not a disadvantage, as this is a fantastic high-end brand.
This specific Carl F. Bucherer watch model features an elegant black, blue, and gold aesthetic. The relatively large 44.6mm stainless-steel case incorporates a black with gold accent bezel with blue inlays, which adds a decent level of flourish to the watch’s style.
The Patravi ScubaTec also utilizes a black rubber strap with blue lines for added visual pronunciation. As you would expect from a genuinely eye-catching timepiece like this from a high-end brand, the Patravi ScubaTec comes with a rather exorbitant price tag.
That cost is pretty reasonable, though, considering that this timepiece provides up to 500-meter of water resistance. Along with a top-tier Carl F. Bucherer caliber CFB 1950.1 automatic movement, and you have yourself a luxury dive watch that matches its outstanding design with top-notch performance and capabilities.
This type of high-end dive watch is undoubtedly what you would expect a brilliant, beautiful, and rich oceanographer would wear. Something that commands everyone’s attention but is also superbly competent and confident.
Ruby Rose as Jaxx Herd – Seiko Prospex Solar Chronograph Compass SSC295
Ruby Rose, who plays marine scientist Jaxx Herd, wears a more practical (compared to her co-stars) dive watch from the Seiko Prospex collection.
To be precise, she is wearing a Seiko Prospex Solar Chronograph Compass SSC295. Which considering her character, fits perfectly with her overall look and personality.
This Seiko Prospex watch incorporates a black 42mm stainless-steel case and dial. This Seiko dive watch also features three sub-dials and a date display found at the 3 o’clock position. The Seiko Prospex SSC295 generally features a green canvas strap, but the one that Ruby Rose wears in the movie features a black silicone band instead.
In terms of price, the Seiko Prospex Solar SSC295 is significantly more affordable than the watches worn by Statham and Li Bingbing. That said, this is as efficient as other high-end dive watches out there.
The Seiko Prospex SSC295 features solar-powered technology, which makes it a highly suitable timepiece for outdoor use. The watch is also multi-functional as it comes with an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and digital compass.
Underneath the rugged exterior lies a Japanese quartz movement which is as reliable as they come. The overall build of the case provides it with water resistance for up to 200-meters. Plus, once fully charged, the Seiko Prospex SSC295 can easily last for up to six months without sunlight.
If you are looking for a dependable and highly functional dive watch without breaking the bank, the Seiko Prospex SSC295 is an excellent and well-rounded choice.
