More than 1 million years ago, north of the Arctic Circle, the dial for this watch struck the Earth. The Muonionalusta meteorite was first discovered west of the border between Sweden and Finland in 1906 near the village of Kitkiöjärvi. It is believed to be more than 4.5 billion years old–one of the oldest known meteorites to have ever hit the planet. It has witnessed the rise and fall of four Ice Ages. Talk about history on your wrist.

We reviewed the Volcanic Obsidian Black reference of the ZENEA Ula Diver earlier this year. This Time and Space version is a special limited edition of 100 pieces.

The meteorite used for the dial is known as an octahedrite. The name refers to the crystal structure, which resembles an octahedron. This occurs during the prolonged cooling period. When polished, you can see the bands of the crystalline structures that make up the intricate lacings in the dial. No two patterns are the same, rendering each version of the Time and Space Ula Diver unique to its owner.

A meteor dial has an almost three-dimensional quality, most visible when tilting the watch toward the light. At different angles the dial changes colour and hue. Certain crystal bands will take on a reflective quality, while others will deaden into variations of pewter grey. ZENEA has done an excellent job complimenting this quality with the Time and Space handset, which is laser cut from stainless steel and tinted metallic blue. Like the meteorite crystals, the handset also changes with the light, forming a striking contrast with the dial beneath it. The applied indices–also lined in polished stainless steel–perform similarly, creating a lovely effect overall. Both the indices and hands are filled with BGW9.

With the exception of its dial, the Time and Space reference is identical to its Ula Diver brethren. It measures 41mm in diameter and 48mm lug to lug. For a diver, it is a relatively slim 12mm in thickness. The watch and bracelet are largely brushed with polished highlights and chamfering. The coin-edge bezel is 120-click and uni-directional. The blue insert is ceramic; the crystal is flat sapphire. The watch offers 300m of water resistance.

Highlights of the Ula include its beautifully embossed caseback and its wonderful milled clasp, which has a push-button diver’s extension/sliding microadjust. The watch is powered by the Swiss ETA 2824 and has a date complication at three.

---

Advertisement

---

SPECS

Case	316L Stainless Steel 41mm Diameter 48mm Lug to Lug 12mm Thick 20mm Lug Width 120-Click Dive Bezel Screwed-down Crown 300m Water Resistance Embossed Caseback
Movement	ETA 2824 28 800pbph 38-Hour Power Reserve
Crystal & Dial	Sapphire Crystal /w AR Polished Meteorite Dial Lumed Ceramic Bezel Insert BGW9 Super-LumiNova on Hands and Markers
Strap	Stainless Steel Bracelet /w Dive Extension & Microadjust Quick Release Leather Strap

ZENEA Ula Diver

---

Advertisement

---

Of Interest

All versions of the Ula Diver Series are designed in Canada and manufactured in Switzerland. Each bears the “Swiss Made” moniker at the base of the dial.

Quibbles

While the blue insert and handset certainly suit the meteorite dial, a black version would be an attractive option.

Final Thoughts

My initial assessment of the Ula Diver remains unchanged. Its finishing is far superior to its price. ZENEA makes no shortcuts. The bracelet and clasp would be at home on a Sea Dweller. This Time and Space version–retailing for $989USD ($200 more than other models in the series) is still a bargain for Swiss engineering. If you are looking for a unique piece of the Earth’s history to slap on your wrist, look no further.

For more information, please visit the brand website.

---

Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.

Please understand that using any links to products on this site might result in us making money.