IWC Aquatimer Automatic IW329002

TWO SYSTEMS – SAME SUCCESS

From a technical point of view, the newly developed external/ internal rotating bezel represents a remarkable leap forward  in the evolution of IWC diver’s watches. For almost half a century, Aquatimers from Schaffhausen were fitted with either an internal rotating bezel or an external rotating bezel.  And there were sound arguments in favour of both. One of the central functions of a diver’s watch is to allow you to see at a glance how long you have already been under-water, and to calculate simply how long your store of compressed air in the tank will last. To facilitate this, the triangle marking the start of the dive, the zero point, is synchronized with the minute hand. From now on, elapsed dive time can be read off precisely on the scale. On the internal rotating bezel found in earlier models, the zero point was set with the help of a second crown at “4 o’clock”: it was thus virtually impossible to move the bezel inadvertently. In addition, the luminescent coating beneath the front glass is perfectly protected against dirt and scratches. On the downside, a crown is not as easy to set as an external rotating bezel. IWC’s technicians therefore opted for an external bezel, which, for safety reasons, could only be rotated anticlockwise. This means that if a diver moves the bezel accidentally, he can only conclude that he has been underwater too long and should soon return to the surface: an annoyance, certainly, but harmless. The new external/internal rotating bezel with the IWC SafeDive system in  the 2014 Aquatimer collection combines ease of use with safety. The rotation of the external bezel is transmitted via a patent-registered sliding clutch system to the rotating bezel  with a triangular index and dive time scale on the inside of the case.

WATCHMAKING PRECISION TO  THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN

In both watches, the increase in pressure-resistance from 12 bar to 30 bar provides a greater degree of safety when diving to great depths. Ticking away inside the 44-millimetre  stainless-steel case of the Aquatimer Chronograph is the robust 79320-calibre chronograph movement with a 44-hour power reserve. It enables stop times and aggregate timing up to 12 hours and is a reliable companion even on long dives. Even in a redundant system, divers appreciate an ongoing indication that everything is functioning normally. In the chronograph, this job is handled by the permanently rotating seconds hand in the subdial at “9 o’clock”. Despite the three subdials and a day and date display, the dial is remarkably uncluttered. With a case measuring 42 millimetres in diameter, the Aquatimer Automatic is the smallest member of the IWC diver’s watch family, and is powered by the 30120 calibre. In the models with the black dial, the displays relevant to the dive have a green luminescent coating. The three-handed watch with the silver-plated dial is particularly elegant. By daylight,  the colour of the inset luminescent coating appears more discreet. In darkness and poor visibility conditions, the multiple coats of Super-LumiNova®* glow in two colours and guarantee excellent legibility. Another extremely safe and practical feature is the new, patented IWC bracelet quick-change system for the 2014 Aquatimer generation, with which both models are equipped. It takes the hard work out of swapping from a stainless-steel bracelet to a rubber strap and vice versa. All the new Aquatimer wristbands are compatible with each other.

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world’s leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design. As  an ecologically and socially responsible company, IWC is committed to sustainable production, supports institutions around the globe in their work with children and young people, and maintains partnerships with organizations dedicated to climate and environmental protection.