What We Know
Beneath the regular steering of Rick Marei, the Aquastar model has been rigorously revived over the previous 5 years with reissues of its Deepstar and Benthos references, capturing a robust group following. From its 1958 inception, first as a sub-brand of Jean Richard, Aquastar was shortly established as a go-to dive watch model, with the 1970 Benthos 500 licensed by the US Navy all through the Nineteen Seventies. This was the model for skilled divers wanting the appropriate software for the job. If you happen to want the backstory on all issues Aquastar, I like to recommend a rewind to 2020 with Jason Heaton on a dive with the Deepstar or listening to the adventures of the late Captain Don Walsh on The Grey Nato podcast.
Right this moment’s important redesign of the Benthos Heritage II was impressed by archival sketches of a twin crown Benthos as an interpretation of how the unique design may need developed. This would possibly sound like advertising, however trying on the slimmer proportions, highly effective lume, and curated particulars – it makes good sense, and the design works no matter inspiration.
Aquastar CEO Rick Marei says extra:” I’ve made re-editions with doxa and Aquadive for 20 years, and with Aquastar, I am attempting to depart for pure re-editions. I attempt to think about how the founders would have continued with these manufacturers and the way they might have developed if the quartz disaster hadn’t hit the Swiss watch business. Typically I really feel I used to be born within the improper decade, and I want I might have taken over any of these manufacturers within the Eighties and continued their work”.
Facet by facet with the brawny H1 from 2023, the H2 is svelte, with a marked enhance in wearability. There isn’t a denying the reassuring solidity of the 16mm thick Benthos H1 with its 42mm case and 500m depth score. Nevertheless, the Heritage II seems rather more wearable right this moment with its redesigned 40mm case (manufactured from 904L metal, no much less) and ergonomic 44mm lug-to-lug. Like most tonneau-cased dive watches, the broad bezel and detailed dial will make the brand new Aquastar put on smaller, and the 11.9mm thickness can be a giant bonus (and on the slimmer facet for a dive watch).
The one compromise on specs in comparison with the H1 is a decreased depth score of 300m. Rick Marei tells us that he listened to observe group requests in the course of the design course of, underlining the attraction of impartial manufacturers actively listening to their viewers, and, together with the brand new sizing, there are two new options within the H2. The primary is the matte ceramic bezel, which now options crisp engraved, lume-filled numerals in the identical shade of Previous Radium Tremendous-Luminova because the sq. indices. The second is the looks of two crowns, one for the Helium escape valve at 4 o’clock. This provides the H2 a compressor-style look and is my solely quibble, as I might have most well-liked an unobtrusive inset valve. Nevertheless, I’m a giant fan of the consolation an offset crown placement brings, and plenty of of you will see that consolation within the new symmetry of the H2.
Examples of classic Aquastar Benthos fashions, together with the Benthos I, the Benthos 500, and the Benthos II (left to proper).
The motion chosen for this redesigned Benthos is now the everyday-solid Sellita SW200-1, which retains respectable time for the value and is now a well-proven ETA different. However on the finish of the day, it’s all in regards to the smile-inducing inspiration {that a} bulletproof dive watch can deliver to mundane on a regular basis life.
Just like the earlier Aquastar releases, the Benthos Heritage II is obtainable by way of the model’s web site, with a decrease pre-order worth beginning at $1,190. The pre-order window is open till the tip of February, with supply anticipated in Could this 12 months. Full pricing particulars are included under.
What We Suppose
Aquastar delivers on our collective want for time capsule wristwear, however that is nothing new. Over a decade has handed since vintage-riffing instigators just like the Tudor Black Bay entered the ring swinging, and types are rediscovering modernity. Nevertheless, some value-driven small manufacturers make me bear in mind what re-ignited my ardour for watches 10-15 years in the past, and the Benthos H2 has what it takes with its modernized vibe.
My heartstrings are tugged by the curated particulars that take a skilled eye to identify, just like the well-executed radial brush of 904L metal and proportionate design. I am additionally having fun with the style of nostalgic mid-century time journey {that a} good classic design evokes. As an evolution of the Benthos H1, the appreciable dimension discount will tick consumers’ bins with out dropping the long-lasting vibe. This makes the Benthos H2 a studied different to the same 39mm Doxa Sub 200T and dive watches from the favored Seiko Prospex “20MAS” vary. If, then again, you take pleasure in a extra broad-shouldered look and the attract of a dive chronograph, Aquastar may need some left of the jaw-dropping Benthos 500 Founder’s Edition that James lined final 12 months.
I even have a smooth spot for the arrow-shaped seconds hand of the H1. Nonetheless, the up to date needle design is a pure match, and it seems to be significantly good when matched with an orange Isofrane strap. And identical to the model’s profitable Deepstar line, you may order the Benthos H2 with a well-fitted 5-row Beads of Rice bracelet in metal. With rounded flat facet hyperlinks in brushed metal and a extra dressed-up look, I might be tempted to go for this and the additional price of including an orange Isofrane for the summer season.
Additionally, you will battle to search out plenty of different watches utilizing the dearer 904L metal at this worth level. Regardless of a sure coroneted model’s promoting claims, it’s not a treasured steel, however its distinctive chemical make-up provides it distinctive corrosion resistance and a deep luster. The engraved, lume-filled ceramic bezel additionally affords a welcome fashionable improve, although with no upcoming saturation dives, I do not see the necessity for a Helium escape valve anytime quickly.
On paper, the Benthos Heritage II affords loads for beneath $1,500 and has developed right into a watch that appeals to me on many ranges, providing classic type, fashionable high quality, and an amazing design in a wearable do-it-all diver.
The Fundamentals
Model: Aquastar
Mannequin: Benthos Heritage II
Diameter: 40mm
Thickness: 11.9mm
Lug-to-lug: 44mm
Case Materials: 904L Metal
Dial Coloration: Black
Indexes: Utilized and printed
Lume: Tremendous-LumiNova “Previous Radium”
Water Resistance: 300 meters
Strap/Bracelet: A alternative of Isofrane or Tropic rubber or a “beads-of-rice” stainless-steel bracelet for an upcharge.
The Motion
Caliber: Sellita SW200-1
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds
Energy Reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Computerized
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Pricing & Availability
Worth: Pre-order for $1,190 on a strap (retail might be $1,490), pre-order for $1,290 on the bracelet (retail might be $1,590)
Availability: Pre-orders accepted from January twenty fourth till February twenty eighth, deliveries slated for Could 2025
Restricted Version: 500 items
For extra, click here.
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