Home » IWC Watches » IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Jacques-Yves Cousteau Watch
Last summer, on the 100th birthday of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, IWC launched this special edition timepiece to pay tribute to the ever-popular ocean explorer. IWC from Schaffhausen has been supporting the Cousteau Society for a long time, and now, it has created the fifth special edition dedicated to the legendary marine researcher.
This diver’s watch boasts a stainless-steel case with a chunky, external rotating bezel which can be turned even with gloves and clicks securely into the place. The bezel rotates in one direction – anticlockwise. Thanks to the six layers of luminescent Super-Luminova coatings applied on the 4 mm wide sapphire glass ring, the elapsed dive time can be read in all kinds of lighting conditions, including night dives. The black PVD coated bezel with a 60 minute tachymeter scale has differently white-colored arc for the first quarter-hour, which is one of the hallmarks of the Aquatimer models.
The round case measures 44 mm in diameter and it is 15 mm thick. The case construction incorporates a black coated screw-in crown and two chronograph push buttons which are also made of steel. This limited edition Aquatimer is protected on both sides with convex scratch-resistant sapphire crystals with antireflective coatings and it is water resistant to 120 meters (400 feet).
The case back is decorated with a portrait of the ever-popular Frenchman, surrounded by the words “A Tribute to J.Y. Cousteau 1910–2010”.
Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Jacques-Yves Cousteau is attached to a comfortable black rubber strap with a steel pin buckle. This model is also equipped with the Aquatimer bracelet quick-change system which provides a quick change of wristlet for a hook-and-loop strap without the need for special tools.
The Impeccable Movement and Luminescent Details on the Dial
This exceptional timepiece is powered by a self-winding Caliber 79320. The mechanical chronograph movement built on 25 jewels preserves a sufficient 44 hours of power reserve when fully charged and produces 28,800 vibrations per hour.
Its slate-colored dial comprises white luminescent hands and indices, the usual three sub-dials and a day/date window situated at the 3 o’clock position. Two blue, chronograph counters for measuring 12 hours and 30 minutes, are placed at the 6 and 12 o’clock positions, while a small 60 second counter is located at the 9 o’clock position. You can also notice Cousteau’s signature set near the 4 o’clock position.
IWC from Schaffhausen and the Cousteau Society
Jacques-Yves Cousteau (June 11, 1910 – June 25, 1997) was a French marine explorer, ecologist, filmmaker, scientist and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water. The 20th century has not seen anybody who has influenced and promoted ocean research like he did. This Frenchman inspired generations to take up the game of scuba diving and also to safeguard and value our underwater world. The Swiss manufacturer of luxury timepieces is a partner and a sponsor of the Cousteau Society since 2003.
This non-profit association, founded in 1973 by Cousteau, continues the unique explorations and observations of ecosystems through the world that have helped millions of people to understand the fragility of life on our Water Planet.
This professional diver’s watch, launched in the honor of Captain Cousteau, can be purchased for about $7,000.
What can I say about this watch except that it`s perfect, beautiful and overwhelming at first glance. Those things beside good features and a very reliable movement make this watch so quality. IWC is a well standing company and all their models are synonyms for pure quality and persistence. This fine watch is another proof that IWC has some of the greatest watches in the world.
I must admit that I have never seen a watch with this kind of design. The dial is splendid. The combination of one black and two blue sub dials with a signature of Jacques-Yves Cousteau looks amazing.
This is a very nice watch with a very stylish and fine rubber strap and an interesting back side of the case. I must admit that I know little about the life and achievements of mister Jacques-Yves Cousteau but there is no doubt that he had done a lot of great things. After all, this fine watch carries its name and that is the great privilege.