2024-03-29

AQUASTAR Benthos 500 Founder's Edition CHRONOGRAPH [return of the mighty minute creeper]

Aquastar's present-day helmsman, Rick Marei lands his white whale. Aquastar's recent return to prominence has been a journey that has unfurled like the pages of an epic nautical tale. The acquisition of arguably one of maritime horology’s most important names came about after years of relentless pursuit and was the culmination of a quarter of a century's veneration for those lost but not yet forgotten diving greats of yesteryear. Among the notable names from the 60s and 70s resurrected by Rick Marei, that include; Aquadive, ISOfrane, Jenny, Synchron, and Tropic, the modern-day Doxa brand largely owes its success to him after he plucked them obscurity, known only by those “in the know”, and into the consciousness of today's watch enthusiasts. However there was another name, one that was unique in the world of horology, famed for being one of if not the only Swiss watchmaker whose sole focus was on the production of timepieces, designed, engineered and destined for the world of diving and sailing. So focused were they in their chosen field of expertise that they were the only fine Swiss mark sold exclusively by diving and nautical supply shops. This venerable mark was none other than the illustrious Aquastar, pioneers and innovators in the field of diver’s and regatta watches. After decades of absence, their inaugural diving chronograph, the DEEPSTAR with its classic skin diver silhouette, big-eye chrono-counter, lozenge-style movement indicator, offset dial text and patented bezel for calculating decompression stops and more, heralded Aquastar's rapturous return in 2020. However a legend lingered in the brand's historic archives, a model that for more than half a century remained a paragon of form and function, a rarity in watchmaking both for its unique design and functionality as well as its physical scarcity as surviving examples remain rare and highly collectable. The Benthos 500 Chronograph has been notably absent from the modern brand's growing catalog but not without good reason. There existed no suitable engine to propel Aquastar's Benthos 500 progeny through the depths. This exalted diver's chronograph that once stood at the forefront of diving instrumentation innovation, boasted a centrally-mounted, mono-pusher-actuated, flyback-chronograph with its prominent orange arrow-head chronograph (dive-time) indicator that once set would make its 60min. journey around the dial, allowing a diver to safely, accurately and unambiguously measure elapsed immersion time. This unusual (by today's standards) chronograph function, nicknamed the “minute creeper” and accompanied by a traditional diver’s bezel offered the diver the flexibility to even time a second event along with said bezel if so desired. However, the historic Benthos 500 was powered by the A.Schild caliber 2162, which is not only defunct but without any modern-day counterpart. Naturally this presented a problem for anyone wishing to reproduce a faithful recreation of the Benthos 500 Chronograph particularly in terms of its unparalleled functionality. Early this year Aquastar released the Benthos 500’s spiritual successor, the BENTHOS H1 which was well received by fans of its 1970s namesake. However, purists, among them the esteemed creator of the H1 were left wanting more. Today we now know that the H1 was merely a preface to the Benthos 500’s enduring tale as its grand saga marches on, entering into modern times. For 2024 that A.S cal. 2162 has made way for a brand-new La Joux-Perret monopusher chronograph movement, developed exclusively for Aquastar which faithfully reproduces the vintage Benthos’ unique centrally-mounted 60 minute totalizer display. Introducing the NEW Benthos 500 Founder's Edition, a seamless blend of homage and innovation, crafted with a sleek 316L Stainless steel case echoing the iconic silhouette of its 1970 predecessor, this timepiece boasts a bespoke La Joux-Perret monopusher chronograph movement, meticulously designed to mirror the vintage Benthos' distinctive 60-minute totalizer display. Reforming comfort, the Founder's Edition enhances ergonomics in three pivotal ways. Slimming the case to a mere 15.4mm thickness, refining the lug contours for a lower center of gravity, and relocating the chronograph pusher to 2:00, optimizing accessibility even when donning neoprene diving gloves. True to Aquastar's legacy of functionality, the chrono-pusher remains operational even when underwater, a hallmark feature of modern diver's chronographs. Limited to just 300 pieces, secure your piece of horological history with a special PRE-ORDER price of $2,790 USD exclusively at www.aquastar.ch. Thoughts? Just as Ahab's pursuit of the elusive white whale ended in defeat, and Santiago's heroic battle with the great marlin ended in loss, so too Rick Marei faced his own challenges in realizing his horological ambitions. Yet, amidst the crashing waves of adversity, a beacon of hope emerged when he finally took the helm of Aquastar in 2020. Like Santiago hauling his prized catch ashore, he has prevailed, bringing to fruition his own "white whale" his prized catch —a timepiece as significant in the sphere of diver's and nautical watches as it is in the world of horology as a whole. Where it will surely be devoured as Santiago's “great fish” was, not by sharks but the voracious appetites of collectors and aficionados who will surely appreciate the significance of such a watch.

BENTHOS 500 CHRONOGRAPH SPECIFICATIONS: 

 - Case: 42mm 316L Stainless steel (47mm lug-to-lug, 15.4mm thick), chronograph pusher at 2H, crown at 4H 

- Movement: Swiss-made Calibre 1MPS Mono-pusher 60-minute center-mounted Chronograph, Top Grade (Aquastar exclusive, produced in collaboration with La Joux-Perret) 

 - Power Reserve: 60 hours without chronograph operation - Time Display: Central hours, minutes and seconds, central 60-minute timer (actuation from 2H) 

- Water resistance: 200 meters, 660 feet - Crystal: Flat, triple-coated AR sapphire 

- Dial: Semi-gloss Black, applied hour markers with highdensity SuperLuminova (ecru color) - Bezel: Luminous, unidirectional rotating elapsed time ceramic bezel, fully graduated with 60 minute markings 

- Straps: Includes genuine 22mm ISOfrane Rubber 

 - Retail price: $2,790 (PRE-ORDER Price: $3,790) - Limited Edition: 300 pieces worldwide - Delivery: May 2024

 

2024-03-22

H2O KALMAR 2 RACING EDITION [2nd RUN]

Gentlemen, start your engines again for a second run nos. 51 - 100!



H2O Watch might just have created the perfect crossover model, a new diver’s watch for drivers.



The dial of the new Kalmar 2 Racing gets the same iconic powder blue and orange stripes once seen on Le Mans legends such as the Porsche 917 or Ford GT40.



In addition to the racing livery, the blue and orange stripes are flanked by swirls of perlage reminiscent of that found on the aluminum dashboards of vintage racing cars such as the Bentley.



One further racing feature is the color-matched blue and orange cross-stitching on the Kalmar 2 Racing’s custom handmade Italian calf leather band.



If you aren’t proponent of leather, fear not as the Kalmar 2 Racing also comes with a set of racing-harness / seat-belt inspired NATO straps in matching race colors.



Otherwise, it’s business as usual for this rather unusual 3000 meter-water-resistant automatic diver’s watch. All you need now is the car!



Okay actually that’s not quite true (about the business as usual that is) because in addition to a dive-time bezel, a sterile bezel, H2O has a new Heart Rate Count bezel!



Follow the link below or the one HERE for more details including pricing plus a full list of technical specifications for the new Kalmar 2 Racing.



Thoughts? Something quite unexpected from H2O Watch but then again, they are the master s of surprise. If this proves popular – what’s next for the Kalmar 2 Racing?



My money’s on a black DLC variant inspired by the iconic John Player Special's black and gold livery – I’d eat that one right up!

2024-03-16

AQUASTAR Model 60 GREENWICH [verdant vibes]

AQUASTAR showers its 2023 MODEL 60 in radiant sun-burst green! 

This verdant visage known as Aquastar’s GREENWICH dial, gives this their most diminutive diver, measuring just 37mm in diameter a dazzling new personality fit for any occasion.

Paying homage to the brand’s inaugural diver of 1957 the new Model 60 Greenwich changes up its otherwise sober aesthetic with a blast of giddy green that can be amped with either a matching green TROPIC or NATO strap. Likewise this new GREENWICH dial variant is also able to benefit from a full stainless-steel BOR (beads of rice) bracelet for an even more premium feel or indeed can be complemented by a small steel diver’s compass when on its NATO for full on adventure mode.

Adhering to more traditional design codes with its use of bold hour markers and lume-filled paddle hands, 60 minute rotating bezel, and centrally-mounted sweep seconds, the Model 60 is perhaps the brand’s most versatile form factors. 

Not only this the 37mm Model 60 provides enthusiasts with one of the purist forms of vintage dive watch ownership outside of actually going true vintage. 

And with its PRE-ORDER price coming in under 1’000USD it’s a true gateway drug to Aquastar’s intoxicating diver lineup.

Meanwhile in keeping with Aquastar’s modern traditions, the Model 60 maintains a robust 200 meters of water-resistance, and is powered by a Swiss made, Elabore-grade ETA 2824-2 automatic movement with 38 hours of power-reserve. 

The Aquastar Model 60 GREEN has a suggested retail price of 1,390USD but can be PRE-ORDERED during for the special price of 990USD.

2024-02-06

ZRC Grand Fonds MN64 PHÉNIX Limited EDITION [The Search for the PHOENIX]

ZRC is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, 2024. And much like the mythical bird, the brand has risen majestically from the ashes of history now with one of its most beautiful aesthetics. 

The Phoenix Q157 Expedition “La voix du souvenir” looks to write one of the most intriguing chapters of the brand’s fascinating story.

  

As the main partner of the Expedition Phoenix Q157 «La Voix Du Souvenir» ZRC has sent a support team of experienced divers who hope to find the lost wreck of a French Navy submarine that went missing on June 15th 1939.

  

For this expedition, a Limited Edition (numbered 200 pieces) of the Grands Fonds 300 will be unveiled. 

This model has the technical characteristics inherent to the collection (patented ECS system and Crown Protection System). 

It is nevertheless distinguished by its machined 316L stainless steel case waterproof up to 300 meters depth.

  

A luminescent SLN Old radium X1 paint adorns the hour and minute hands as well as the hour markers on the unidirectional bezel with a bright blue insert coordinated with the dial. 

Its case-back is also decorated with a specific engraving representing a mythical phoenix. 

 

The GF42168PH diving watch is powered by the Swiss made Sellita SW-300 caliber. This self-winding movement delivers 56 hours of power reserve. 

Highly efficient, this mechanism is also very precise with a 5-position adjustment.

  

The watch will come with an exceptional enhancement in an alcantara packaging featuring these stunning accessories: 

a Phoenix submarine replica, a miniature Phoenix souvenir mat, a tool for changing wristbands and a watchmaker’s loupe plus an additional bracelet in organic leather.

  

From ZRC: The story of the lost submarine begins in 1939; the start of WWII and the world is already at boiling point. France is surrounded by conflicts. 

Tensions between nations are escalating. A year earlier, Austria was annexed by Germany. Japan attacked China. 

 

The Spanish war ended with a fatal epilogue with the beginning of the Franco dictatorship. Mussolini approached Hitler, who signed a pact with Stalin. 

And fascism unfolds its sinister shadow. The dark hours put the armies in motion for the belligerents, in a state of alert for the States at peace.

 

The French navy was then one of the most modern. It consisted of multiple buildings, including 78 submersibles. One of them, on June 15, crosses off the Indochinese peninsula. 

With its 93.2 m long, 8.2 m wide, two diesel engines with a total power of 6,000 horsepower usable on surface, its electric thrusters developing 2,000 hp when diving, the submarine Le Phénix Q157 is one of the flagships of the fleet.

  

On this spring day, the weather conditions are ideal... An immersion exercise in the bay of Cam-Ranh where the funds exceed 150 meters of depth is programmed. 

The ship is not going up. The alert is given quickly. With the exception of an oil stain on the surface of the China Sea, there is no indication of the causes of the ongoing incident. 

 

The following day, the submarine was located northeast of Hon Chut Island. Refloating operations began on 22nd of June. 

On several occasions, attempts were made to pass a chain around the vessel to tow it to a depth at which divers could act.

 

A rescue ship arrived on 28th of June, but the excessive depth of the wreck, still floating between two waters around 95 meters, prevented any intervention. 

The search was halted. 71 crewmen disappeared during the sinking. It now lies at a depth of 105 meters.

  

The investigations conducted at the time and reported by the press gave nothing. Impossible at the time to locate precisely the wreck of the Phoenix whose secret will remain hidden in the archives of the National Navy. 

Eighty-four years have passed…

  

The memory of the tragedy remains. Tributes are regularly paid to the disappeared, highlighting the risk of being a sailor. On this shipwreck, different theories exist, none are corroborated.

  

In 2020, the law on documents classified as “secret defense” allows their declassification beyond a period of 50 to 75 years. 

The idea of an expedition using modern tools is emerging. Better yet, it was created by history-loving divers and the association “La Voix du Souvenir” in order to find the submarine and provide clear answers to families.

  

Thus, during the first phases scheduled for 2023‑24, a survey will be conducted to limit the search area. 

If the wreck is located, from the following month, dives will be carried out with the logistical support of the Maritime Institute of this expedition is mainly supported by ZRC.

 

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