EDOX Hydro Sub AUTO [reborn legend takes an icy plunge]

By TLex Holding the earth's last mysteries, the ocean covers some 71 percent of the planet, yet less than 10 percent of it has been fully explored; world champion free diver, Christian Redl along with Australian photographer, Markus Fillinger aim to unlock some of its secrets on a daring trek to the geographic North Pole this February.



The family owned Swiss watch­maker, Edox are providing one piece of essential equipment for the expedition - an updated version of its first dive watch, the Hydro Sub AKA the Mission North Pole.



Christian Redl is going plunge - without any scuba gear - through a hole in the ice into the frigid waters. It will be the world’s first freedive under the ice at the Pole and will come after a two-week long slog on foot through some of the world’s most inhospita­ble terrain!



Edox's Hydro Sub will be a vital tool for the mission as Christian must time the 15 meter-deep dive to the exact second or else the extreme cold could ren­der him senseless.



The new Hydro Sub Automatic Date was one of my top picks for 2014, its design, based on the original model introduced in 1965, is a rug­ged, ultra-accurate tool-watch that should be able to cope with the most challenging conditions. It doesn't quite have the heritage of Omega's Ploprof 1200M but it has about as much presence - the perfect blend of rugged modernity with classic vintage styling.



The 46mm Automatic Date is pow­ered by an automatic Edox Caliber 80 “engine” (based on an either ETA 2824 or SW200 movement) and is water resistant to respectable 500m - far in excess of Christian’s mission objective.



The crown is a vital component in any watch, even more so in a watch with a diving bezel; the Automatic Date has an ingenious 'Master Lock' that slides down and locks in place to pro­tect the screw-down crown, which has the added protection of a double o-ring seal. The Hydro Sub pays tes­tament to Edox’s expertise in superbly engineered and highly water-resistant timepieces, a heritage dating back to 1961 with the introduction of the revo­lutionary dive watch, the Delfin.



Edox is the Official Timekeeper of 'Iceman' Christian Redl for his World Record setting freedives under the ice at Austria’s frigid Lake Weissensee.



HYDRO SUB REF. 80301 3NOM NIN
Movement - Edox Caliber 80 (based on Sellita SW200)
Functions - Display of hours, minutes, seconds and date
Case - Stainless steel 316L, black steel bezel, orange Master Lock system
Diameter - 46mm
Dial- Black or blue with white indices
Water-resistance - 500 meters / 1500 feet / 50 ATM
Bracelet - Stainless steel 316L with folding clasp