The SD1952 pays tribute to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, developed for the elite divers at the French Combat Diving School. It was one of the first modern diver watches and the first to have a rotating bezel. With a case size of 41mm - the same as the original - it’s a lot more wearable that the faintly ridiculous 45mm modern interpretations by Blancpain.
 
Those of us of “une certain age” remember the documentary television series “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau”. Cousteau, with his distinctive red hat, was a French naval officer who co-developed the Aqua-Lung and was a pioneer of marine conservation. Jacques Cousteau wore a Fifty Fathoms in “Silent World,” his most famous (and award winning) film.
Bill Murray as Steve Zissou, in the 2004 movie “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”, which didn’t at all poke fun at Cousteau and his team of conservationist divers, also wore a distinctive red hat. But he sported a Vostock Amphibia diver watch.
 
The Steeldive SD1952 is a design classic diver watch with a long military history that possesses what can only be described as “wrist charisma”. It’s a fabulously good looking watch. The bright, large markings are key to readability at depth. Or if you’ve mislaid your reading glasses.
 
Talking of specs:
 
Sapphire Crystal Glass
NH35 Automatic Movement
120 Click Rotational Ceramic Bezel
300m Water Resistance
Screwdown Crown
Screwback Case
316L Stainless Steel Case
Stainless Steel Strap 
Hacking Movement
C3 Luminova on the face
BGW9 on the bezel
Lug to lug - 54mm
Dial - 41mm
Lug Width - 20mm
Case Diameter - 41mm
Case Thickness - 15mm
Weight - 115g
Hard Presentation Box and warranty card
 
Overall the SD1952 is a superb watch for the money. It is reliable, hard-wearing and looks fantastic. It is a watch that constantly gets positive comments from owners and admirers and definitely makes the wearer stand out from the crowd.