Serica has quickly garnered a reputation among watch enthusiasts for creating compelling, vintage-inspired tool watches that are built with a singular focus on purpose and performance. Their diving chronometers, in particular, are celebrated for their blend of classic aesthetics and robust capability.

The Serica Reference 5303 PLD Dive Chronometer Watch represents a fascinating evolution of their emblematic diving platform, developed in a truly unique collaboration with the Amicale des plongeurs démineurs – the French Mine Clearance Divers – specifically to meet their distinct needs and habits in one of the most demanding underwater professions imaginable.

The design of the Reference 5303 PLD is firmly anchored in the core principles essential for mine clearance work: Readability, Accuracy, and Reliability. Like all Serica Diving Chronometers, it offers flawless readability under challenging conditions. The watch is built around a robust and practical 39 mm case crafted from 316L steel, offering a substantial 30 Bars (300m) of water resistance – a rating befitting a serious professional dive watch. The quality of the materials used in its manufacture, including ceramic, sapphire, and stainless steel, ensures it is a tool that remains just as relevant and capable on land as it is deep under the sea.

A standout feature, born directly from the habits of French Mine Clearance Divers, is the new ‘DT MAX’ graduated ceramic bezel. Presented in a striking new ‘ABYSSAL BLUE’ colour – a dark blue shaded with grey and green, described as the colour of France and showcasing multiple reflections in the ceramic material – this bezel features a double graduation (metres and minutes).

This allows for the instant reading of the Maximum Working Time at each depth, providing a critical tool for performing a constant ascent without the need for decompression stops. It’s a unique operational scale rarely seen on civilian watches, lending this piece a genuine sense of purpose.

Another crucial detail requested by the divers and included on the dial is the ‘NAMAGNETIC CHRONOMETER’ mention. This signifies increased security, acknowledging the critical concern for Mine Clearance Divers that the magnetic signature of typical watch components like batteries, magnets, or printed circuits can potentially trigger munitions. Diving with a mechanical watch is not trivial for them, and this mention provides an added assurance of reduced magnetic interference.

Furthermore, at the specific request of the divers for increased readability of the running indicator, the Reference 5303 PLD features, for the first time, a large “Fat Lollipop” seconds hand with an enlarged luminescent indicator – a functional detail directly improving its utility in low-light or murky conditions.

Powering this instrument of mine determination is the Swiss automatic SoProd M100 calibre. Serica has chosen this movement in its most elegant execution and finest adjustment, securing COSC Chronometer Certification. This guarantees exceptional accuracy, a non-negotiable requirement for professional diving work where precise timing can be critical. The watch comes paired with new ‘SERICA PLD’ straps that take up the design, materials, and historical colour of straps handmade by French combat divers from the 70s, enriched with signed, redesigned buckles and jewellery, and polished-satin finishes – a historic French signature offering incomparable comfort.

The Serica Reference 5303 PLD Dive Chronometer Watch is a limited edition of 500 pieces total, with 150 Military pieces reserved for active Mine Clearance Divers and members of the Association. This leaves just 350 Civilian pieces available for enthusiasts to acquire online and in store. Orders for this highly specific, limited edition timepiece open very soon, on May 20, 2025, at 16:00 CET.

Available at a price of €1690, the Serica Reference 5303 PLD is a truly purpose-built dive watch with a compelling real-world pedigree, featuring elite operational tools, COSC Chronometer Certification, a robust build, and a striking design. It’s a highly collectable and genuinely capable instrument available for discerning collectors who value both history and performance.