The New Aquatimer Automatic 2000 and Deep Three: Wrist Shots and Some Data...

These are the two 46mm in diameter new models (the chronos are 44mm and that regular Automatics are 42mm).

First, the 2000:

It has a really nice dial, and again the appendage at 9 o'clock is not a helium release valve. These watches can withstand the pressures of great depth without such a valve. However, one deficit of this is that the watch is relatively high: if I recall, it's a fraction over 17mm. The case is titanium and comfortable as a result.

The Deep Three really looks nice:

It is also comfortable given its titanium case. It is water resistant to 10 bar (about 100 meters) which is deep enough for virtually all amateur diving. The Deep Three uses the same basic mechanism as the Deep Two, but with some technical improvements.

Michael,

Thank you for those shots: they give a better impression of the watches than pictures. Personally, I love the looks of the deep 3. Seems a fantastic piece.

Michael, thank you for wrist shots. Is there any bracelet option for AT 2000? Or probably any other IWC bracelet will be suitable for it?

Thanks Michael, I love that Aquatimer 2000 in Ti !

Regards,

Bob

Hi Roman,

As of right now, only a black rubber strap is specified for the AT2000. I believe that there currently are no plans for a titanium bracelet to be produced. I also believe the watch uses the new quick change system, and I'm not sure that the steel bracelets from other models would look good, even if they might fit.

Thanks Michael - those were the two I was most looking forward to seeing. So far I must say that the 2000 is my favorite of all the new ATs. I think it is a vast improvement of the previous one. In fact the whole range now looks better, more cohesive, less "flashy" and "fashionesque" - cleaner and sportier.

The D3 is an evolution of the D2, and as such maybe not different enough to entice current owners to upgrade.

All in all, a good job by IWC.

And I also like the fact that these still look like dive/sports/activity watches, not trying to be "boardroom" and sporty at the same time!

Thanks for your reply Michael! I'd prefer to see it on bracelet, but anyway I love it)))

I love the look of the 2000. Looks like an updated VC AT with those colours. D3 looks great as well.

46mm? Perfect.

Michael, any information regarding water resistance of regular AT 42 mm? I tried to search on the web, including the pictures but none is showing the caseback. although i like the AT2000, the size certainly not for me. On the other hand, 42 mm AT is what i'm waiting for.

and i suppose the caliber in 42 mm is ETA 2892-A2, right?

Thanks

See www.watch-insider.com for some,what I think to be very good photos of the new aquatimer range. Also,there is a short video with the new click-on click-off system for the strap change.I think these new models look great,they are going to be winners for certain.
regards.
kenneth.

The 42mm ATs have 30 Bar water resistance, which is about 300 meters. The base calibre for those models is indeed the ETA 2892, modified to IWC specifications.

So Sellita is now out of the game? I thought the "Grandjean" project was meant to replace ETA calibres, but apart from the portofino I don't know any of the watches using Sellita?

These are great looking watches with a clear linkage back to the Ocean models of the PD era. Even the rubber straps from front on look like the distinctive Ocean bracelets links.

The 42mm ATs have calibre 30120 which to my knowledge is ETA, while Sellita-based calibres all are 35xxx.

I asked about Sellita when I last visited Schaffhausen, and there is every intent on using them (as well as ETA) for the the time-being. I was told that actually Sellita movements were very good --technically at least equal to ETA-- but the game plan is not to migrate from one to the other. I think you'll learn more about the game plan in the future.

Better designs overall... Kudos to the design team - greater maturity and classic appeal, albeit still a bit 'kiddy'.

The sizes are also bit too large IMO...

I know it's part of the strategy, but does it really benefit IWC to have so many product variants/extensions within each category? Does it not affect gross margins? Just curious from a business standpoint...

Happy 2014!

I don't have inside information here but in my opinion (a) there aren't as many "real" variants as might appear and (b) the variants help sales and indirectly increase margins.

For example for the basic Aquatimer Automatic there are four variants, but there are only black or silver dial, rubber strap or bracelet. Admittedly, they're different but to me that's in essence one watch.

On the margins, if you're selling to a dealer, would you rather sell one AT Automatic or four? It seems to me that having four variants increases sales. And if the differences are dials/straps, that's not much cost to quadruple the sale --which in turn increases margins. I think it's an intelligent business model for the producer, and the choice benefits the consumer as well.

Thanks Michael, makes sense.

My thoughts were based on economies of scale (production) and product cannibalisation (sales).

Cheers.

Thank you Michael :)

judging from the pictures at www.watch-insider.com, the AT automatic 42 mm, is quite thick, perhaps as thick as previous generation of AT2000 (ref 3568), which has the same cal. 30110, but 2000 mtr WR (which justify the thickness).

So i wonder what makes the new AT 42 mm so thick especially if the WR only 300 mtr. My guess is the new mechanism of outer rotating bezel adn inner bezel combined, which requires more case thickness. While i admire IWC of maing innovations, i wonder if it worth the extra thiokness.

My Planet Ocean cal. 2500D (ETA 2892) with 600 mtr WR, is thinner than this new AT.
I will have to look at this and wear it myself before making decision though.

The 42mm models are beautiful... I really like the white one... very cool!

I find that the design balance is much better with the 42mm versions.

Why make the 2000m variant so large? Why not keep it at 42mm or 44mm at the very most? Is it movement related?

Best,

Leon.

The 7750-based chrono should come in 42 mm too. Like the 3719.

Just what is the appendage at 9 then? I have struggled to find an explanation for this addition anywhere so far.

Cheers,

Ben

Can I assume the titanium used for the new model is grade 5 judging from the finish?

Wahoo, really cool this inside/outside bezel! It is really a piece of engineering!!

The 42mm one looks really cool, especially on the bracelet! Curious as well about the "thing" at 9 o'clock...what's about?? Shame just 300m WR...with such a thickness...I would expect much more...is there a reason?

The in-house ones are just too big...immense...for humongous wrists...

Cheers
Matteo