Introducing the IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “50 Years Aquatimer”

Speaking of famous dive watches that turn 50 in 2017, time now to turn our attention to the Aquatimer, IWC’s dive watch contribution to the world of utilitarian timepieces.

But the 1967 Aquatimer was unlike any of its peers in the sense that it was one of those pioneering dive watches that featured an internal rotating dive bezel.

The original IWC Aquatimer, ref. 812 AD (Image: antiquorum.com)
The original IWC Aquatimer, ref. 812 AD (Image: antiquorum.com)

Today, the commemorative Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “50 Years Aquatimer”, continues on that pioneering spirit with its Ceratanium® case.

Ceratanium®, as the name suggests, is IWC’s own blend of ceramic and titanium, which results in a case that is as light and strong as titanium and as hard and wear resistant as ceramic.

At 49mm, the new Aquatimer is a lot of watch to be had as a matter of its dimension and all of the functionalities packed into it.

Ceratanium Aquatimer
The IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “50 Years Aquatimer”
Ceratanium Aquatimer
Ceratanium Aquatimer
Ceratanium Aquatimer
Ceratanium Aquatimer

Starting off with the flyback chronograph paired with its hour and minute totalizer at 12 o’clock. Next you have the perpetual calendar, which displays date and month using digital windows at 9 and 3 o’clock respectively. Coupled with this, you also have a leap year indicator at 6 o’clock that sits within the running seconds sub dial.

Of course, owing to the fact that this is an Aquatimer, the watch is fitted with IWC’s proprietary SafeDive system. This requires the user to move the outer bezel in an anti-clockwise direction to set the inner bezel, which bears the minute graduations.

The internal/external dive bezel aside, all of the Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “50 Years Aquatimer”’s functionalities are made possible thanks to IWC’s caliber 89802, which has appeared in a previous version of the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month.

Ceratanium Aquatimer

Although, the movement specifically used in the new Aquatimer is different because some of its components have been selectively turned black to match the watch’s overall outlook.

Just 50 pieces of the Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “50 Years Aquatimer” will be created and made available exclusively through IWC’s boutiques from September 2017 onwards.

However, if an all-black watch isn’t your thing, there also happens to be an 18-carat red gold version with a blue dial. This too will be produced in a limited run of just 50 examples.

Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month - Red Gold
Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month - Red Gold

Technical Specifications: Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Edition “50 Years Aquatimer”

Movement

Self-winding IWC Caliber 89802; hour, minute and seconds; perpetual calendar with digital display; flyback chronograph; 68-hour power reserve

Case

49mm; Ceratanium® (or, red gold); external/internal rotating bezel with IWC SafeDive system; water-resistant to 100m

Strap

Black rubber strap with the IWC bracelet quick change system;

Limited run of 50 pieces; price: CHF50,000

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