Introducing: Aquastar Brings Back The Benthos Diver

December 01, 2023

Three years after re-introducing the Deepstar, Aquastar is bringing back its "other" dive watch, the Benthos. The new Aquastar Benthos H1 is a limited-edition reinterpretation of the original Benthos 500 from 1970. The updated version is heavy on heritage, maintaining the dimensions and visual cues of the original Benthos.? The stainless steel case of the Benthos H1 (short for "Heritage Chapter 1") measures 42mm x 16mm thick (47mm lug-to-lug). The chunky tonneau case has 500 meters of water resistance,?just like the original Benthos 500 C?good enough to be approved in the U.S. Navy diving manual through the '70s. It has a uni-directional diving bezel with a black ceramic insert. The dial is also a semi-glossy black and has blocky markers, hands, and a big orange seconds hand that all feel very '70s. The Benthos H1 is delivered on an era-appropriate ISOfrane rubber strap.? While the original Benthos had a chronograph, the updated H1 is a simple three-hander powered by the ETA ?2824-2. It's adjusted to ETA's elabore standard C the middle of the three non-chronometer certified grades for ETA calibers C with a maximum daily variation of +/- 20 seconds. It maintains the Benthos' distinct crown at 2 o'clock (the original Benthos had a chronograph pusher at 4 o'clock).The Aquastar Benthos Heritage One is a limited edition of 500 pieces, available for pre-order at $1,090, with a full MSRP of $1,390.? What We Think Aquastar isn't exactly a household name, though the reintroduction of the Deepstar in 2020 has helped introduce the manufacturer and its proud history of dive watches to more enthusiasts. The Aquastar name began under the Jean Richard brand, a Swiss mark dating to the 1600s. In 1958, Jean Richard introduced its first dive watch, the Aquastar 60, a simple time-only diver that became the model for what we now call the "skin diver." Vintage Aquastar catalog. Just a few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to handle the late Captain Don Walsh's Aquastar 60 (before it was auctioned for $62,500). When Walsh took the bathyscaphe Trieste to the bottom of the Marianas Trench, it was this Aquastar 60 on his wrist. Sure, a Rolex Deep Sea Special was strapped to the outside and it gets all the attention, but that was just (admittedly very impressive) marketing. The Aquastar was the simple tool chosen by guys like Walsh for getting a job done.?For a great in-depth story on the history of the Aquastar and the Deepstar, hop in the wayback machine to enjoy Jason Heaton diving with the Deepstar in Lake Superior. Additionally, you can hear Don Walsh talk about his experience on Trieste, his Aquastar 60, and the Rolex, on this recent episode of The Grey NATO Podcast (which is hosted by Jason Heaton and Hodinkee's own James Stacey).? The Benthos was Aquastar's next-most-popular diver after the Deepstar. Introduced in 1970, the design is like that of its contemporaries while also distinctly being Aquastar. It would've been cool to see Aquastar re-introduce the Benthos with its most distinctive quality, that center-mounted chronograph. But the way it's been released as "Heritage Chapter 1," perhaps a chronograph isn't too far away. The Basics Brand: AquastarModel: Benthos Heritage OneDiameter: 42mm (47mm lug-to-lug)Thickness: 16mmCase Material: 904L stainless steelDial Color: Semi-glossy blackIndexes: Applied hour markersLume: High-density SuperLuminNova (ecru color)Water Resistance: 500 metersCrystal: Flat, triple-coated AR sapphireStrap/Bracelet: ISOfrane rubber The Movement Caliber: ETA 2824-2Functions: Hour, minutes, secondsDiameter: 25.6mmThickness: 4.6mmPower Reserve: 42 hoursWinding: Automatic Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)Jewels: 25Additional Details: Elabore grade, adjusted in 3 positions, accuracy of +/- 12 to +/- 20 seconds/day Pricing & Availability Price: $1,390, with a pre-order price $1,090Availability: Watch may be ordered exclusively on aquastar.chLimited Edition: Yes, 500 pieces worldwide; the first batch of 250 will be delivered in December, and the second bath in March of 2024.?For more, visit aquastar.ch. Shop this story ADD DISCLOSURE INFORMATION HERE