Thrilled to finally have this piece on my wrist. First started work in April 2020 or so with plenty of trial and error with destroyed machining tools

roadwarrior

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Elshan

Thrilled to finally have this piece on my wrist. First started work on this back in April 2020 or so with plenty of trial and error with destroyed machining tools.

This unique version of the Swordfish 40mm is made entirely from Tantalum, a rare and expensive metal with a blueish grey color. Its very dense and corrosion resistant with a similar feel to 18k gold. Its finished with a brushed bezel insert and fully sandblasted case. Just for reference, the same SF40 watch head in 316L SS weighs 78g, while this weighs 125g for the exact same dimensions.

I'll have a tiny handful of these available with the upcoming SF40 launch (price TBC but similar to timascus) but will also be producing more models in this material for 2021.

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ET:


There won't be a full tantalum bracelet, it would be far too expensive, and heavy

Yes much heavier than the bronze for sure. Should have the new SF40s in a week I hope!

Hammerhead tantalum bing planned

Similar to Timascus, which launched for $1,499 to $1,599. (depending on dial option)

Innards NH35

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Shark Diver 45 Tantalum

Specifications:


--Case: brushed Tantalum - diameter 45mm - height 18mm - lug distance 24mm - lug to lug 54mm
--Weight: 245g with rubber strap
--Titanium Screwed crown with side protection
--Case Back: Titanium
--Automatic Helium escape valve
--Sapphire crystal: 4mm thick - inside A/R coated
--Bezel: Tantalum
--Dial: Tantalum
--Water reistance: 2000M/6,600Ft
--Antimagnetic up to 70,000 A/m
--Dial, hands and bezel coated with Swiss SuperLuminova
--Strap: 24mm natural rubber strap
--Movement: Swiss ETA 2824-2 Automatic

$6 000.00

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Tantalum


Tantalum (Ta) is a refractory, acid resistant, ductile and easily fabricated metal with a high melting temperature (2,996° Celsius). It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Tantalum combines readily with other refractory metals, such as tungsten, to form alloys with high-temperature strength and stability.
Tantalum


The major use of metallic tantalum is in the manufacture of electronic components, mainly tantalum capacitors. Because of their long shelf life and reliability, these capacitors are used in computers, communication systems, and controls and instruments for aircraft, missiles, ships, and weapon systems. Tantalum is combined with cobalt, iron, and nickel in super-alloys for aerospace structures and jet engine parts. Tantalum is also combined with carbon as tantalum carbide and with other metals to use as metal-cutting tools, wear-resistant parts, and for boring tools.

Tantalum and niobium are chemically similar and are often present in similar geologic environments. Niobium may be 10 to 20 times more abundant than tantalum. The principal ore minerals are ferrotantalite (Fe2+ Ta2O6) and microlite-pyrochlore ((Ca,Na)2Ta2O6(O,OH,F)-(Ca,Na)2Nb2O6(OH,F)). Struverite ((Ti,Ta,Fe3+)3O6), which is recovered from tin-mining wastes, is another source.

There is potential for tantalum resources in Arkansas because niobium is present in the Cretaceous igneous rocks. Although no evaluation or mining of tantalum in Arkansas has occurred, the recovery of this metal, along with niobium, would probably be as a byproduct of the mining of titanium-bearing minerals.
 
Wow! That look is amazing, and I'm still beaming over that dial since seeing it on @buzzmartian 's watch in today's OTWT. With the higher weight and associated higher density, I can see where it might be a bit difficult to work with, as the various broken tools would attest. But still, that amazing look, fit and finish have got to be worth far more than any of the production difficulties along the way. And I would most certainly love to add one to the 'ol collezioni, but my heart's set on a Rolex Sea Dweller, as is my Sea Dweller savings account! As always, Mike, thanks for the heads-up (and the associated education vis-a'-vis metallurgy, as well! :wink:).
 
Wow! That look is amazing, and I'm still beaming over that dial since seeing it on @buzzmartian 's watch in today's OTWT. With the higher weight and associated higher density, I can see where it might be a bit difficult to work with, as the various broken tools would attest. But still, that amazing look, fit and finish have got to be worth far more than any of the production difficulties along the way. And I would most certainly love to add one to the 'ol collezioni, but my heart's set on a Rolex Sea Dweller, as is my Sea Dweller savings account! As always, Mike, thanks for the heads-up (and the associated education vis-a'-vis metallurgy, as well! :wink:).
The Sea Dweller is one of my fantasy pieces, Don. I'm rooting for you and the savings account to get the job done!
 
The Sea Dweller is one of my fantasy pieces, Don. I'm rooting for you and the savings account to get the job done!
Thanks, Gary! I'm doing my best, but that savings account is sure a 'slow-goer' at times... All kidding aside, it'll almost certainly be a "previously owned" and reconditioned model, but if all of that stuff gets done right, the only ones who'll know it's not new will be my watchmaker, jeweler, my wife, and everybody at WIT...oh, wait...DAMN. :sick:

(Maybe I oughtta reconfigure that plan a bit...)
 
Thanks, Gary! I'm doing my best, but that savings account is sure a 'slow-goer' at times... All kidding aside, it'll almost certainly be a "previously owned" and reconditioned model, but if all of that stuff gets done right, the only ones who'll know it's not new will be my watchmaker, jeweler, my wife, and everybody at WIT...oh, wait...DAMN. :sick:

(Maybe I oughtta reconfigure that plan a bit...)
Great way to go, Don. I have several pre-owned pieces in my modest collection. The only people who know they're not new are the people who sold them to me, and everybody at . . . . oh, double damn! :rolleyes:
 
lighter


Reminds me of the fume grey sand textured dial 40mm SF Zelos sold last year for $269.00 on a bracelet.

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Huge thanks to everyone for the amazing support! We have sold out of the entire batch of Swordfish 40s in less than 8 hours which was totally unexpected.​


lighter


I think I'll be adding a green HH 3 (300m) to go with the one above.

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I liked the desert grey Swordfish quite a bit. I was disappointed that the grey blacktip (with blue accents I believe) shown in the early renders didn't make the cut.

I also might go green (Swordfish 40). Or maybe burgundy.
 
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