Isotope Unveils The Hydrium NASA Watch

Scorching on the heels of releasing probably the most purpose-built dive watch that the model has put ahead to date, Isotope has taken the Hydrium assortment in the exact opposite course for its follow-up launch of 2023 to create a brand new space-themed model of the model’s fan-favorite diver. Often known as the Isotope Hydrium NASA, the brand new limited-edition timepiece has acquired NASA’s official approval to make use of the well-known house company’s emblem, and whereas I’m not all the time the most important fan of NASA-branded watches, I believe this one appears to be like significantly promising. I’ve already inquired about the potential for having a pattern despatched for a full hands-on evaluate, however right here is an preliminary first have a look at the brand new Isotope Hydrium NASA watch.

Crafted from stainless-steel and measuring 40mm in diameter by 48mm lug-to-lug, the underlying case design of the brand new Isotope Hydrium NASA is similar as what will be discovered throughout the remainder of the better Hydrium assortment of watches. If you would like my full ideas on this case, you may try my hands-on evaluate of the Isotope HydriumX “The Choose” (tldr: I’m a giant fan of its enjoyable and nearly cartoon-like method to the traditional diver idea). That stated, reasonably than that includes a micro-blasted end like the remainder of the fashions from the Hydrium lineup, the case of the brand new Isotope Hydrium NASA incorporates a Cerakote coating that each will increase its hardness and gives it with a distressed look that’s impressed by the partially-burnt warmth shields of spacecraft, that are subjected to huge temperatures as they re-enter Earth’s environment.

Equally, similar to earlier iterations of the Hydrium and HydriumX, a domed sapphire crystal sits above the dial, a screw-down show caseback is fitted to the reverse aspect of the watch, and a signed winding crown is positioned on the 3 o’clock location, which screws down to assist assure the Hydrium NASA’s beneficiant 300-meter depth score. Regardless of this explicit mannequin’s house exploration associations, the Hydrium collection itself continues to be based mostly upon the core blueprint of a dive watch, and the highest of the brand new Isotope Hydrium NASA’s case is accomplished by a 120-click unidirectional rotating timing bezel that’s fitted with a fully-demarcated luminous sapphire insert.

The dial fitted to the Isotope Hydrium NASA incorporates a white fully-luminous floor with refined darkish blue accents for each its minute observe and the define of the lacrima (teardrop) form that occupies the middle. The NASA emblem seems in its signature crimson coloration contained in the lacrima on the decrease half of the dial, and these identical colours are mirrored on the palms, with the hour and minute hand completed darkish blue, whereas the seconds hand is vivid crimson to match the NASA signature on the dial. Between its full-lume dial floor, luminous handset, and matching luminous bezel insert, practically the complete face of the Isotope Hydrium NASA glows in the dead of night. This solely additional provides to what’s already a really enjoyable and compelling general package deal.

Identical to a lot of the different three-handed Isotope watches, the brand new Hydrium NASA is powered by a Swiss Landeron computerized motion, which is predicated upon the core structure of the acquainted ETA 2824 and runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 40 hours. Much like numerous different Hydrium and HydriumX fashions, the 22mm lugs are fitted with a grey tropic-style FKM rubber strap; nevertheless, the brand new Isotope Hydrium NASA additionally comes with a further white material Hook Strap that prominently options the crimson NASA emblem, and which was made completely for Isotope by Nick Mankey Designs.

The Isotope Hydrium NASA can be produced as a restricted version of 200 items, and it is going to be accompanied by an official retail value of £825 GBP (or roughly $1,000 USD on the time of writing), which locations it proper according to the remainder of the model’s catalog. Whereas this does make it negligibly dearer than among the different current-production Hydrium and HydriumX fashions, that is doubtless on account of the truth that it comes with each a typical rubber strap and the matching NASA-branded material strap from Nick Mankey Designs. Whereas the Hydrium itself is a diver, Isotope’s enjoyable and futuristic aesthetic lends itself significantly properly to a space-themed watch. Moreover, Cerakote is on the market in many various colours and appearances; nevertheless, the Hydrium itself is already a confirmed formulation, and based mostly upon the press photographs alone, the brand new Isotope Hydrium NASA appears to be like like it is going to be tons of enjoyable on the wrist. For extra info on the Isotope Hydrium NASA watch, please go to the model’s web site.