The Circula AquaSport II is a cool seventies-style dive watch

Circula Watches is staging a really admirable comeback within the arms of Cornelius Huber, grandson of the model’s founder. What began in 1955 is now again on observe with very interesting vintage-inspired dive watch collections. We’ve seen the AquaSport, the SuperSport, and now it’s the brand new Circula AquaSport II’s flip. This second-gen AquaSport comes with a number of updates and funky Nineteen Seventies color mixtures.

The Circula AquaSport II is an up to date model of the unique AquaSport, which was impressed by a classic Circula dive watch from the Nineteen Seventies. The signature barrel-shaped case is taken straight from the period of funk when these watches have been all the fashion. Even in the present day, many manufacturers look again at this era of watchmaking for inspiration. Circula does the identical, however with credibility because it as soon as truly manufactured such watches.

Adjustments between the primary technology and the second technology of the Circula AquaSport are delicate at first, however wanting shut reveals attention-grabbing updates and particulars. In fact, carrying on the theme of a selected watch right into a second-gen mannequin is sensible; in any other case, it could be finest to current it as totally new.

Measurement-wise the AquaSport II has grown barely in diameter however retains the identical top. The brand new 40mm diameter permits for a barely bigger dial opening of 31.5mm, which improves legibility. The margins are slim, however each little bit helps. The ending of the case is principally brushed with polished bevels. The comparatively slim screw-down crown grips nicely and has an orange ring for a little bit of distinction, with a luminous brand on high. The closed caseback has a aid picture of a diver taking the plunge and a bit fish welcoming him (see additional down for a picture of the caseback).

With a top of 13.4mm, together with the domed sapphire crystal, this isn’t precisely a slim watch. However, it doesn’t really feel overly enormous on the wrist and because of the case’s profile and development, it stays very snug. The 120-clicks unidirectional bezel feels very strong when rotating, with little or no vertical and horizontal play. The insert is available in a cool two-tone petrol blue and turquoise, with an orange and white 60-minutes scale and orange triangle pointer.

The dial for the Circula AquaSport II matches the aquamarine blue tone of the bezel insert. The wave-like sample and superb sunray brushing vividly improve the dial. Relying on the sunshine, it shifts from deep blue to aquamarine or green-blue. The outer minute observe is white with a black scale. The utilized hour indices lengthen over the center part of the dial and create a heightened sense of depth. The indices themselves are outlined in orange and stuffed with a beneficiant quantity of Tremendous-LumiNova. The big hour and minute arms are brushed and now have luminous inserts. The brilliant orange seconds hand has a luminous triangular tip, tying in with the color scheme of the remainder of the watch.

The mechanics of the Circula AquaSport II fall according to the SuperSport assortment. Choosing Sellita SW 200-1 is a wise factor to do, because the motion provides nice reliability and is well serviced. Circula additionally provides the selection of a top-grade spec motion with a Glucydur steadiness wheel. The automated motion runs at 28,800vph (4Hz) and gives 38 hours of autonomy. It signifies central hours, minutes and hacking seconds to make sure exact setting of the time.

As a substitute for this petrol-and-orange combo, Circula additionally provides a grey-and-orange model and a meteorite dial with a black bezel insert and minute observe. The latter is restricted to 99 items and is priced a bit greater because of the materials for the dial. This additionally comes with out a date show, while the opposite two have a date disc colour-matched to the dial at 6 o’clock.

To be trustworthy, I actually fell for the funky appeal of the petrol blue model of the Circula AquaSport II. It wears very nicely, is as strong as could be and simply appears to be like darn cool. The mixture of contemporary mechanics and supplies, paired with that distinct retro-vibe and funky colors, merely clicked for me in an enormous manner.

Add into that the choice of correct dive specs, top-grade motion choice, and the selection between a petroleum blue Tropic-style rubber strap or a beads-of-rice metal bracelet, and it turns into a really aggressive bundle. And the worth? The Circula AquaSport II begins at a really cheap EUR 599 on rubber, with acceptable premiums for the motion (EUR +100) and bracelet choices (EUR +100). The restricted version Circula AquaSport II with a meteorite dial is priced at EUR 899.

For extra info, please go to Circulawatches.com