IWC's Aquatimer Rise Above the Waves

The Aquatimer started as it meant to go on, marrying the toughness and technological innovation demanded by the pros – it was pressure resistant down to a then-extraordinary 20 bar – with the good looks that would appeal to a wider market.

Down the years, it has also held to the principles with which it started life in the swinging ‘60s. The Aquatimer Deep Two, for instance, not only looked great but came with a depth gauge that displayed current and maximum depths up to 50m.

As the years passed, IWC also kept close to the concerns of its target market, producing a Galapagos special edition, for instance, and donating to the Charles Darwin Foundation that helps protect wildlife on the Ecuadorean islands.

Small wonder, then, that when IWC decided to release a multi-watch Vintage Collection last year, featuring updated versions of iconic watches from the past starting with its 1936 pilot’s watch, the Aquatimer found a worthy place alongside the more venerable timepieces.

As per usual, the so-called Jubilee Edition Aquatimer has plenty to recommend it to the serious diver, pressure resistant up to 12 bar despite the sapphire glass back, its clean design and 44mm case making it more legible than ever. But this year’s upgrade – in white or pink gold – is likely to appeal more to the collector in all those water rats.