Divers were presented with the first “Aquatimer” back in 1967, which was half a century ago, 50 years to be exact. And to celebrate the occasion IWC Schaffhausen is releasing a special limited edition with the extensive title of: “IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month ’50 Years Aquatimer’”.
The original IWC Aquatimer (Ref#: 812 AD) * Image courtesy of: Antiquorum.com
Over the years the “Aquatimer” collection in its various iterations has become one of IWC’s most popular models. But, even a winning piece can do with some innovation to breathe new life and attention towards it and reintroduce this model line to a new set of potential enthusiasts. So novelty is exactly what IWC has brought to this note worthy 50th anniversary.
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The 49mm case is made from the new “Ceratanium” material with a matte black finish, which consists of a combination of ceramic with titanium, as the name confirms if you break it down (cera + tanium). Material innovation has been a strategic way of horology brands trying to distinguish themselves from one another, or simply as a marketing novelty which has had varied successes.
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One example that comes to mind was “Officine Panerai” with the “carbo tech” or Hublot with their “Magic Gold” and also their “Berluti leather dial”; among other brands. Omega themselves have gone done this route before with a meticulously crafted ceramic and an unique one-of-a-kind meteorite dial, for their “Omega Grey Side of the Moon Meteorite”.
Panerai Lab-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3 Days (Ref#: PAM 616) * Image courtesy of: Officine Panerai
But, in any case lets focus more on this newly introduced “Ceratanium” where the combination of ceramic and titanium has produced a very light material with the: corrosion-resistance of titanium and the durability plus scratch-resistance of ceramic. Omega states it took their research and development team five years to finally get this new “Ceratanium” material up to their desired standards.
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After assimilating and comprehending the origins and benefits of this new material we still have the functions to take in to account. The case has a transparent case back that allows to view the inner workings of the mechanical movement. And comes equipped with two push-pieces on the right-side of the case in order to operate the chronograph functions, plus a screw-in crown placed in between them.
Image courtesy of: IWC
While mounted to the case is a mechanical external/internal rotating bezel with a SafeDive system. It was a clever idea by IWC to have the bezel rotate just like a regular dive watch would, but have it geared up to cause the internal bezel to rotate as well, along with it. Topped off by a convex sapphire crystal with an antireflective coating on both sides, which also assists in keeping this watch water-resistance up to 100 meters (330 feet).
Image courtesy of: IWC
Time is exhibited on a black dial with white hour index markers, accompanied by smaller minute index markers also circling the dial. There are two sub-dials: a sub-seconds counter at the 6 o’clock position and a 12-hour counter at the 12 o’clock position. Plus the central hands and hour index markers have all undergone a luminescent coating, for an enhanced legibility.
Image courtesy of: IWC
Also has two double windows on the upper portion of the dial: the windows to the right-side indicate the current month, while the windows to the left-side indicate the current day; providing a perpetual calendar to this dive watch. These windows are also part of two “camouflaged” sub-dials, as we can see the awaiting numerals under the “gridded” sub-dials that permeate the middle portions of this predominantly black dial.
Image courtesy of: IWC
IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month ’50 Years Aquatimer’
This “IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month ’50 Years Aquatimer’” (Ref#: IW379403) is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 89802 with 51 jewels and 28,800 vph. Power reserve on this timepiece can last up to 68 hours, when fully wound.
Image courtesy of: IWC
Mounted to the watch is an IWC black rubber strap, equipped with an IWC-patented quick-change system and secured to the wrist by a “Ceratanium” pin buckle. This is a limited edition timepiece with only 50 manufactured pieces. For more up to date information please visit their official IWC Schaffhausen website here.
MSRP: $46,800.00 USD
Image courtesy of: IWC
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IWC, IWC Schaffhausen, Aquatimer, Ceratanium, Perpetual Calendar, Luxury Watches
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