In 2016, Delma Watches revived their venerable Shell Star diver. Originally launched in 1975, the watch was Delma’s first professional diver, boasting a then-impressive 200m water resistance. Delma has built upon the model’s legacy with the modern Shell Stars, updating its design, improving its performance, and exploring new materials. Today, I have the latest incarnation, the Delma Shell Star Titanium.
The Shell Star’s barrel-shaped case is 41mm wide and 13.6mm thick, yet it appears larger thanks to a 22mm lug box and crown guards that span its entire right side. The guards create an asymmetric appearance, increasing the overall width to 44.5mm and effectively slimming the case’s proportions, while its 48mm length keeps things compact. The result is a suitably beefy tool-watch presence that is still easy to wear, even on my smallish 6.75″ wrist.
One of the great benefits of titanium is its weight, or should I say, its lack of the same. Delma claims the Shell Star is only 136g, and I have no reason to doubt that. It feels wonderfully light for its size. Titanium cases are no longer the rarity they once were, but it is less common to find a full titanium bracelet like the Delma’s are rarer still for the clasp to be titanium as well.
While we are nosing around the bracelet, I should highlight the articulation of the rounded three-link design, the tightly fitted end links, and the engraved push-button clasp — all beautifully finished and quite comfortable.
At first glance, you might overlook the Shell Star’s material. Many titanium cases are matte-blasted to accentuate titanium’s characteristic gray color. This one is brushed except for brightly polished bevels on both the case and clasp. A second look reveals the metal’s tone is slightly warmer than the typically bluer stainless steel.
As the Shell Star is a professional diver, it has everything you would need for that purpose: an AR-coated sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown and case back, a 120-click bezel with excellent action, high visibility hands and markers, and a rock-solid Swiss Sellita SW200 automatic protected by enough gaskets and fittings to withstand a whopping 500m water resistance. The only thing lacking is a helium release valve, and considering that only about 0.0001% of the world’s scuba divers require one, and you could fit them all into a high school gymnasium, this is no great loss.
Flip the watch over for a look at the movement through a mineral glass display window. The 26-jewel, 28.8k bph workhorse features a gold Delma rotor.
If you plan to take your Shell Star to the briny depths or even to a poorly-lit room, you will need lume. Delam has supplied SuperLuminova aplenty: BGW9 on the bezel and C3 for the markers and hands. It glows like a torch.
I always say that online photos and reviews, even those as outstanding and insightful as my own (ahem), are poor substitutes for holding a real watch in your hands. The Shell Star looks handsome enough in pictures, but you must see it in person to appreciate its textured dial, tall markers, and detailed roulette index.
Delma offers the Shell Star in black and blue dials in addition to the vibrant orange shown here. You can also select a wild decompression timer. All are attractive, but I’m a sucker for orange divers. Delma’s color is intense, leaning more toward red than yellow. Bright white but modestly sized hands and a fine roulette index root the dial firmly in the early 1970s, as does the charming combination of serif, sans-serif, and italicized typeface. I also give kudos to the well-executed 3 o’clock date with its black disk and its framed and beveled opening.
The Shell Star Titanium was the first Delma to cross The Time Bum’s desk, and I am duly impressed. The materials and execution are top-notch, and the overall design, while not a 1:1 reissue of the original, is tastefully updated and brimming with period-correct details.
Delma has limited the series to 499 pieces. You can purchase it directly from delmawatches.com for $1,890 or from any of Delma’s authorized dealers worldwide.
