In 2009 a completely revised Aquatimer collection was brought onto the market by IWC, where the diver’s watches featured a chunky external rotating bezel with an inset sapphire glass whose underside was treated with a thick coating of Super-LumiNova®*.
In 2014 the new Aquatimer collection has a more discreet look with more subdued colours than the previous generation. After all, IWC diver’s watches are no longer reserved exclusively for underwater use but are often found in expeditions on terra firma, at festive occasions or even in the office. The watches are also more functional and safer, and even more Aquatimer models are now fitted with IWC-manufactured movements.
The new Aquatimer generation represents another step in the further technical evolution of IWC diver’s watches. This process of continuous improvement and development is a prime example of what is probably Darwin’s best-known quotation: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
Aquatimer Chronograph and the new Aquatimer Automatic
The timepieces are available with black or silver-plated dials in four different versions, with a black rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet. The purist dial design and the quarter-hour scale on the internal rotating bezel reference the first Aquatimer released in 1967. The slim, chamfered shape of the external bezel with its gently rounded and recessed grips, on the other hand, was inspired by the legendary Porsche design of the Ocean 2000 of 1982.
In both watches, the increase in pressure-resistance from 12 bar to 30 bar provides a greater degree of safety when diving to great depths. Ticking away inside the 44-millimetrestainless-steel case of the Aquatimer Chronograph is the robust 79320-calibre chronograph movement with a 44-hour power reserve. It enables stop times and aggregate timing up to 12 hours and is a reliable companion even on long dives. Even in a redundant system, divers appreciate an on-going indication that everything is functioning normally. In the chronograph, this job is handled by the permanently rotating seconds hand in the subdial at “9 o’clock”.
With a case measuring 42 millimetres in diameter, the Aquatimer Automatic is the smallest member of the IWC diver’s watch family, and is powered by the 30120 calibre. In the models with the black dial, the displays relevant to the dive have a green luminescent coating. The three-handed watch with the silver-plated dial is particularly elegant.
Purist-inspired
The most conspicuous new development is the case design with the new external/internal rotating bezel. It combines the advantages of an internal rotating bezel with the ease of use of an external rotating bezel. The external rotating bezel with its SafeDive system can be moved simply and precisely in steps of one minute, even when wearing diving gloves or with cold fingers. For safety reasons it can only be turned anticlockwise. This ensures that even if a diver moves the bezel accidentally, zero hour – the time at which he can return safely to the surface without the need for decompression stops – is not exceeded.
The new rotating bezel concept also changes the appearance of the latest Aquatimer generation. Thanks to the narrower bezel with the chamfered inner surface, the watch appears less bulky, and this is even taking into account the new cover for the sliding clutch system at “9 o’clock”. The purist-inspired, discreetly coloured dial leans on the design of the first Aquatimer in 1967. The typically elaborate case finishing with alternating polished and brushed surfaces helps underscore the luxurious look and feel of the new collection. In future, all Aquatimers will feature the traditional fish symbol showing the permitted dive depth in bar on the back of the case.
With the new IWC bracelet quick-change system, swapping the stainless-steel bracelet for the rubber strap, and vice versa, is a snap.
The Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Galapagos Islands”
The budding British naturalist Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands in 1835 in the course of an expedition. He found a unique plant and animal ecosystem that differed from one island to the next. The observations he made here formed the essence of his lifework “The Origin of Species”, which was published in 1859. This year, in honour of the ingenious researcher and his Galapagos expedition, IWC is pleased to unveil a special edition, housed in a bronze case.
Aquatimer Deep Three
The third generation of the IWC diver’s watches with a mechanical depth gauge, the Aquatimer Deep Three in a titanium case, is a perfect example of watchmaking evolution: it is even safer, more functional and easier to use than ever before. Using three parameters – elapsed dive time, maximum depth reached during the dive and the seconds hand – the diver can plan any necessary decompression stops and remain at the necessary depth to conclude the dive safely and successfully.
About IWC Shaaffhausen
With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. IWC is one of the world’s leading brands in the luxury watch segment, which crafts masterpieces of Haute Horlogerie at their finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design. As an ecologically and socially responsible company, IWC is committed to sustainable production, supports institutions around the globe in their work with children and young people, and maintains partnerships with organizations dedicated to climate and environmental protection.
Example retailers:
Cortina Watch, Central Plaza Ladprao, Bangkok
Cortina Watch, Erawan Bangkok
Pendulum, Gaysorn Plaza, Bangkok
IWC Schaffhausen Boutique, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Cortina Watch, Suria KLCC Shopping Centre
IWC Schaffhausen Boutique, ION Orchard, Singapore
IWC Schaffhausen Boutique, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Cortina Watch, Paragon Shopping Centre, Singapore
Sincere Fine Watches, Vivo City, Singapore
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