2023-05-26

AQUASTAR Model 60 RE-ISSUE [the third crewman]

Meet the third crewman of the bathyscaphe, Trieste! 

A mechanical diver’s watch can be many things to many people. Perhaps it simply fulfills the requirement for a rugged timepiece, something to be worn as a daily beater; a watch then that could survive the rigors of an active life and more; a watch to be worn beneath the waves, for diving, even.

Perhaps your mechanical diver’s watch fulfills a more aesthetic function as something to be worn to dress up or dress down an outfit. 

But to so many of us, a mechanical diver’s watch fulfills a far more emotional function, providing that tangible link in time.

To a time when there was a different way of doing things; like how they did in the good ol’ days when a mechanical diver’s watch was still an integral part of a diver’s safety equipment. Or before the quartz watch revolution wrought havoc upon the Swiss watch industry.

One of the cool things about owning any half decent mechanical diver’s watch today is that it should be able to do the all of the above with the greatest of ease. 

However the great thing about owing an exceptional mechanical diver’s watch like an Aquastar is that it’ll do it all, brilliantly.

From its time honored design that makes use of classic, elegantly-styled silhouettes to its use of clean unambiguous dial layouts that recall that golden, pioneering era of ocean exploration, far-flung, yes, but never forgotten. An epoch when the Aquastar name, proudly displayed on the dial today, just as it was back then offered an assurance of reliability thus giving peace of mind to those that were required to operate in such uncompromising environments as found 130 feet below the water’s surface on a recreational dive.

Or indeed on a 36,000ft descent in a submersible to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. Like the one that US Navy Lieutenant, Don Walsh embarked on with his co-pilot Jacques Piccard on Jan. 3rd 1960. 

And who was famously accompanied by that legendary experimental, Rolex wristwatch, strapped to the hull of the bathyscaphe, Trieste.

But however was (perhaps not so famously) also accompanied by a third crew member, his trusted Aquastar Model 60 (not a Submariner) strapped to his wrist. 

This is the story of the Model 60, and this is its fully modernized, spiritual successor, the new Aquastar Model 60 Re-Issue.

Paying tribute to the brand’s inaugural 1957 diver’s watch, of the same name, that introduced a crucial safety measure for all diver’s watches of the era: a friction ring in the rotating bezel to facilitate against any accidental rotations. 

Devised and originally patented by Aquastar, this simple, but vital feature would later become a standard feature echoed by legions of diver’s watches in the years that followed.

The 2023 Model 60 continues Aquastar’s earliest traditions of capability, adventure and exploration, which began in earnest on January 23rd in 1960 when US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh – 

wearing an original Model 60, and co-pilot Jacques Piccard, made a pioneering journey to the bottom of the Challenger Deep, aboard the bathyscaphe, Trieste to a record-breaking depth of 10,916 meters (35,814 feet).

Walsh’s Model 60 is recognized as Aquastar’s inaugural tool watch, and would set an early precedent for the budding watchmaker, as Aquastar’s innovative and ultra-reliable watches would quickly earn a reputation as the foremost timekeepers of choice for sub-mariners, professional divers, and ocean conservationists alike.

But watches weren’t Aquastar’s only competency — in the brand’s early years under the watchful eye of founder and innovator Frederic Robert, it also produced a wide range of nautical instruments, 

like compasses and analog depth gauges, many of which could be worn in conjunction with an Aquastar watch to create a singular timekeeping and navigational instrument for the wrist.

The 2023 Model 60 pays tribute to this special era, with a new oil-filled compass which can be secured to the watch head using the tail end of a Tropic or NATO-style pass-through strap at 6:00.

 “With every Aquastar release, we try to look at the product cycles introduced by the brand’s original founder, Frederic Robert, and look ahead to what he might still be producing, had the brand never been paused during the quartz crisis,” says Rick Marei, Aquastar’s modern helmsman. 

“We are proud to be both historians and custodians of this rich brand, using the new Model 60 to pay tribute to Aquastar’s influence and innovations in the world of undersea exploration,” he continues.

Thoughtfully sized in a 37mm Stainless steel case the Model 60 is a somewhat unique reference in the deep Aquastar archive, as it follows a more traditional dive watch execution, using bold hour markers and lume-filled paddle hands, a 60 minute rotating bezel, and a center-mounted seconds hand – 

omitting those bold asymmetrical dial elements that would go on to characterize later Aquastar models, like the iconic Deepstar Chronograph.

In keeping with Aquastar’s modern traditions, the new Model 60 maintains a robust 200 meters of water-resistance, and is powered by a top-grade La Joux-Perret G100 automatic movement with 62 hours of power-reserve, made in Switzerland. 

And in keeping with the watch worn on Don Walsh’s pioneering dive to the bottom of the ocean, this modern Model 60 encapsulates the adventurous spirit, capability, and category-defining innovation defined by Aquastar in the 1960s, and presents it for an entirely new generation to enjoy.

The Aquastar 2023 Model 60 will be available with a black dial. It has a suggested retail price of 1,290USD but can be pre-ordered during its launch phase for the special price of 990USD. 

The marine compass will be included at no additional charge for the first 100 orders of the Model 60, after which it can be purchased separately for 70USD. Both are available exclusively from www.aquastar.ch

Thoughts? This unsung hero of the deep, the third forgotten crew member of that epic foray into the Marianas Trench mightn’t have been the timepiece that the World’s eyes were on back then. 

It has managed to sail largely undetected by the sonar of all but the most knowledgeable dive watch connoisseurs for more than six decades. 

Those few in the know like its modern day custodian, Rick Marei for whom its second life is credited. 

But in its former life, it had however caught the eye of one US Navy Lieutenant, Don Walsh whose confidence in it was such that he entrusted it with the crucial role of timekeeper on that potentially perilous dive into a deep sea trench.

2023-05-25

DEEP BLUE Mechanical SKELETON Divers [find your inner glow]

Here’s something unexpected with a glorious openwork dial and a mesmerizing inner glow! DEEP BLUE Watches once again epitomizes the sheer versatility of the modern mechanical diver’s watch with their latest and greatest release. Introducing the new and very stunning, mechanical Skeleton Diver collection from DEEP BLUE with its creative twist on the sober tool diver now with an open-work dial for that inner glow! Delivered in two case sizes; a manageable 40mm in diameter or a more beefy 44mm, the watches are water-resistant to an impressive 300m. These (watch cases) are equipped with embossed ceramic diver’s bezels and tough sapphire crystals (front and back) affording spectacular views of the watch’s mechanical inner workings. Of which three Seiko NH automatic mechanical movements are offered which are the NH 70, 71 and 72 calibers. However the coolest feature of this new collection is a beautiful CNC-machined open-work dial illuminated from above as it is beneath from brightly, blue glowing Swiss BGW9 Superluminova. In addition to classic brushed Stainless steel, black IP-finished as well as models with IP-gold treated bezel and crowns are also offered within the collection. Please follow the link HERE or the one embedded, below for more on the new Mechanical Skeleton Divers from DB Watches.

Thoughts? Always expect the unexpected when it comes to DEEP BLUE a brand that are always on the move innovating with fresh new looks and styles for the tool watches. 

 http://www.deepbluewatches.com/

2023-05-19

HELBERG CH11 [Seaworthy Aviator]

The new HELBERG CH11 takes flight! 

H2O Watch of Germany who are well-known for making wristwatches that perform exceptionally well beneath the waves make their maiden flight into the world of pilot watches.

Having both derived from military watches pilot or aviation watches and diver’s watches are in fact quite close cousins. So too for the CH11 and H2O’s flagship diver, the Kalmar 2 – as it boasts the exact same crown sealing system as the aforementioned tool diver with no less than four gaskets thus allowing for a water-resistance of 300 meters. This latest HELBERG family member has been made from Titanium Grade 5 or Mokume Gane and features a sandwich dial made in-house using H2O’s own laser ablation machine. Basic spec. includes a 42mm in diameter case with either an open or closed G5 Titanium case-back, a double domed sapphire crystal and sapphire display (open) case-back, 300m of WR. It can be optioned with either a vertically brushed black sandwich dial or one in a black DLC-coating. Both are with stunning chromed handsets with Super-LumiNova BGW9. Power comes from a reliable Japanese workhouse, the Miyota 9015 automatic caliber with a beat-rate of 28.800vph as well as a hacking seconds-hand. The watches are presented on handmade 3.80mm thick black calf leather straps with black contrast stitching and a HELBERG signed buckle.

Prices for the new HELBERG CH11 start from 490 Euro net. Follow the link to order for more on this and other models from H2OWatch. 

 

2023-05-17

AUDAZ Abyss Diver 1’000M [4X NEW LOOKS]

AUDAZ expands its popular diver’s watch series, the ABYSS Diver 1’000M to include four tempting new references. 

You can take your pick from seven Abyss variants which include; new Aqua Blue or Green textured dial variants, a white full lume dial model as well one in All-Black with an IP coating.

There are no prices for guessing where the inspiration for the model came from. It was inspired by one of the most iconic deep divers of the past one and half decades – 

one that continues allude so many of us working from more reasonable budgets. The Audaz Abyss Diver offers you all the looks of that icon but at a fraction of the price.

It remains the deepest diving model from Audaz boasting 1’000 meters or 3’300ft of water-resistance. And is the most technical diver that AUDAZ offer with features such as an automatic Helium Escape Valve which can be found at 9 o’clock on the side of its 44mm in diameter 316L Stainless case.

It is also equipped with a precise 120-click, unidirectional diver’s bezel with a ceramic inlay with luminous dive-time graduations that have been filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova. 

The Abyss Diver’s unidirectional diver’s bezel wraps around a 4.8mm-thick Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on it inside.

The Abyss Diver’s hands and markers have been generously appointed Swiss Super-Luminova so that you can see where it counts, in the murky depths of the ocean, your basement, your pool or wherever there is low light. Further diver’s features of the new Abyss Diver from Audaz include: a screw-down crown and case-back as well as full Stainless steel link bracelet with a diver’s clasp. If you were in any doubt of the watch’s diving prowess, the Abyss Diver’s case-back features a motif of an old school deep diver’s helmet. Power comes from a reliable Japanese, Miyota 9015 caliber, automatic mechanical caliber with 24 Jewels, running at 28800 bph and with an approx. 42hrs of power-reserve as well as a date at 3 o’clock.

The four new Abyss Diver variants are priced 570USD and are available for ORDER NOW

Follow the links for more on this and other diver’s models from AUDAZ. Thoughts? That all-black edition is absolutely killer. This is Bamford, Hunter looks for a fraction of the price. Seriously hot! 

2023-05-12

DEEP BLUE Watches DayNight PATRIOT [color 'n' light where it counts, in the deep]

Here are Deep Blue watches with another hot new release for spring 2023 and another lambent offering that doesn’t hold back on lume color. Introducing the new DayNight Patriot from Deep Blue Watches, who are based NY in the USA which is offered with glorious seven-color Tritium Gas tube technology. The color pallet crosses the entire spectrum commencing with primary colors red, and yellow and then some more funky lavender and ice blue at the other; not to mention old favorites orange and green. Now take this skittles-like lume system and combine it with a solid Stainless steel case, the dimensions of which are 45mm in diameter, 52mm lug-to-lug and 15mm thick. Plus water-resistant to 300 meters along with tough Sapphire crystal and reliable NH 35 automatic from Seiko. the specs. of which include 24 jewels, a beat-rate of 21,600vph plus a date function, and you have yourself another great tool watch from DB that will be seen in dark where it counts. In addition to the above the watch is equipped with a unidirectional rotational diver’s bezel of the 120-click variety plus a black ceramic inlay with a green tube at the 12hr marker. Further diver’s features include a 22mm Stainless steel bracelet which includes: a tension pin and collar, push button diver’s deployant clasp plus 3x micro-adjustments for fitting over a wetsuit.

The NEW DayNight Patriot is AVAILABLE NOW from DEEP BLUE Watches. Follow the link for more on this and other models in DB’s extensive diver’s watch lineup.

 http://www.deepbluewatches.com/

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