My Read on the New Aquatimers

My opinion on the new Aquatimers:

I had a great opportunity at SIHH to examine and try on the new Aquatimers. My pictures don't tell the real story.
The basic Aquatimers looked ok. The new inside bezel system has been explained in other posts. I won't elaborate any further.
The Galapagos version is not much different than the older version. Nothing to get excited about. But...after the entry level there are some nice pieces.
Basically, despite its gigantic 49mm size, the AT2000 is a winner. It looked great on my wrist and the dial was terrific. I thought the large thickness would be a detriment but it was not. It wore well and the titanium weight was just right.
The blue dial Cousteau disappointed me as the blue was too muted for my taste. Others may and will disagree.
On the other hand the Deep 3 is another winner. Though it maintains the same mechanism included in the Deep 2, the depth of field between the dial and the glass makes this a very desirable watch. Again, pictures don't properly capture it.
The Darwin bronze watch is also an interesting piece. I didn't think I'd like it but it looked good on wrist. Not sure how this piece will age. People who have Panerai Bronzos have had varying results, especially if the watch is used in salt water.
The digital perpetual was way over the top for me. Not many will be produced but I am certain they will be sold without any problem.
I liked the quick change feature for straps and bracelets although it is different than that used on previous models.
Bottom line, you have to try them on. The pictures of the AT 2000 look ordinary. It is anything but ordinary.

Here are my pics...

Nice group of photos and it is always interesting to read others thoughts on the new range. You can never really tell from photos and I always reserve judgement until I get to see them live for myself.

I have to say though, going by photos alone, I love the look of the new Aquatimers. I can't wait to see them for myself. I think IWC have done a fantastic job of modernising the range.

Cheers,

Jarrod

Good to see your reflections Alan. It's interesting to read and see how opinions differ between individuals. I actually liked too, the entry level pieces. Having said that, it's clear that most opinions Are aligned when it comes to the AT 2000 and the Deep III !

Personally, I like the Bronzo! .... And can't wait to see how it develops patina in salt water.

Gotta agree. The bronze looks great!

Hello Alan

Very balanced view on the collection 2014, and to most points I agree with you. I think IWC has won a great collector in you, and I think you really had deserved to be invited to see the watches at SIHH.

My favorite was also the AT 2000, although I would still hope the variant they talked about would come later this year. Still, for a three-hands watch the price tag for buying it right from the AD is too high for me.

Thank you for this interesting post and pictures. My favorite from the pictures is the AT in bronze. Can't wait to try it on.

Chris

Thanks for the informative report, Alan. I was especially appreciative of the wrist shots. The Aquatimer 2000 was also my favorite of this year's novelties and I got a better sense of its size after viewing your photos.

Very nice report Alan, we have seen pictures galore but it is always nice to read others opinions as well.

Not haven seen any of them live I the 2000 and D3 were still my favorites. Seeing your pictures kind of makes me wish for the cool dial texture of the 2000 to also have been applied to the D3 - what do you think?

I like the dial on the D3 because there is great depth ( no pun intended) between the crystal and dial. Again, this does not show up in the pictures but is readily apparent on wrist. The textured dial would look fine on the D3 in my opinion.
One watch I did not describe is the white dial AT. that piece looked great in the pictures but was very disappointing on wrist. There the depth of field washes out the bright color. There was some conjecture that the white color may be adjusted before the pieces are released for sale.

Got it, thanks Alan!

Thank you Alan, for the report and pix. I saw the video of the whole collection being presented here on IWC pages and loved the SS Chono - I feel it harks back to GST Chrono, another great watch I love, though never owned.

The 2000, Deep Three are clearly the flagships of the new collection.

thanks Alan, I really appreciate your review!

Bob

Interesting comment, Allan, and very nice pictures, thank you!

The aging of the bronze: I guess it is part of the charm not quite knowing how it will age, yet knowing it will. Almost like with people. Knowing that, whatever happens to the bronze, the watch will keep performing at top level, is reassuring. It sounds like fun having this bronze watch.

About the white dial diver: of course everybody must choose for himself, but shouldn't a diver have a dark dial, preferably black? As with pilot's watches. I do not want to be too much in principle over this issue though, me liking an ardoise dial on my Spitfire Chrono.

Kind regards,
Paul

So here is a comparison to the present white dial AT which I believe was a Forum favorite a few years ago. Because I liked the previous white dial so much I was anxious to see the updated version. Like I said, it was disappointing. But only because the color seemed washed out.

Alan, I see what you mean. The white on the newer version seems faint. I do like the Aquatimer Automatic, but I'd go with black if I got one.

Thank you for the initial post as well. The pictures are really nice and it's good to see how all the watches rested on someone's wrist.

Cheers,

Todd

The new dial is not white, to me it looks a bit beige-metallic. A bit more of a fashion colour, not so outspoken: in line with the more subdued character of the total new Aquatimer line. Not bad at all to me, but of course the question is what you are looking for.

Kind regards,
Paul

Uaaah.... thank you Alan, this difference is striking!