Dietrich is a brand that thrives outside of the usual comfort zone of the easily recognizable, and the well trodden path. Watches like the Time Companion and in particular the OT-1 offer novel concepts that are all built around shapes that subvert the expected. The SD-2 seen here picks up that theme in a more subtle way, offering the brand?s first take on a utilitarian tool watch that?s being framed as an amphibious field watch. It?s called the Missions Maritimes (French for, well, Maritime Missions), and however you care to classify this one, it?s the most cohesive execution of the Dietrich design language to date. For better or worse. 

The name Skin Diver will likely prime you to look at this watch through the lens of a typical dive watch, and while it will satisfy some of the expectations that come along with that, there?s another side to this watch that?s less straightforward. The shape of the case and lug, the rotating bezel, and circular(ish) hour markers are all a familiar sight, but on closer inspection there?s intricate details to enjoy that lift the watch into that ?amphibious field watch? territory, whatever that might mean to you.
First off, this watch, like many we come across, will suffice just fine as a diver. The 38.5mm steel case gets a unidirectional bezel, a screw down crown, and 150m depth rating. It?s a little old school with a solid (bare) caseback and aluminum bezel insert, and with a total thickness of just over 12mm, it wears a bit old s...