Home » The Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie » SIHH 2016 Preview – IWC Aquatimer Automatic Edition “Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau” Watch
With the new IWC Aquatimer Automatic Edition “Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau”, the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer continues its series of special edition timepieces that honor the famous French scuba-diving pioneer. The Swiss watchmaker has a special relationship with Cousteau and it has been a partner of the Cousteau Society since 2003. Among other things, IWC contributed to the restoration of Cousteau’s legendary research vessel, the Calypso.
The latest model that pays homage to the French diving pioneer and oceanographer features unmistakably puristic design. The watch is housed in a round, stainless steel case which measures 42mm in diameter and 14mm in thickness. The case is shielded with convex sapphire crystals with antireflective coating on both sides.
The new IWC Aquatimer boasts an exceptional level of water resistance – up to 300 meters (about 1,000 feet), which is made possible thanks to the screw-locked case-back and crown. The case also incorporates a mechanical external/internal rotating bezel with IWC’s SafeDive system.
The beating heart of the IWC Aquatimer Automatic Edition “Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau” is caliber 30120 automatic mechanical movement with the balance frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and a 42 – hour power reserve. The Swiss made mechanism is built on 21 jewels.
Underneath the front sapphire glass, lies a a stunning, deep blue dial with luminescent elements on hands and indexes. The same lume material has also been applied on its internal rotating bezel for the better visibility in deep underwater darkness.
From the rear, the engraving on the stainless steel case-back shows a portrait of the famous Frenchman, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, with his trademark beanie.
The latest model that honors the ever-popular marine researcher (ref. IW329005) is secured to the wearer’s wrist with a comfortable, black rubber strap, fitted with a stainless steel pin buckle. The new watch is tooled with IWC bracelet quick-change system.
IWC Schaffhausen and the Cousteau Society share the common vision. A pioneering spirit, perfection and ecological responsibility are the main forces that drive two partners who develop technical innovations for underwater exploration.
