IWC Aquatimer Deep Two diving instrument

The Swiss watchmaking brand will soon start selling its new flagship: the 2009 model year IWC Aquatimer Deep Two diving watch. Being a direct descendant of the now discontinued GST Deep One instrument, the new watch also features a built-in depth meter.

Capable of measuring depths down to 50 meters, the device features two indicators: one (blue) for the actual depth and one (red) for the maximum depth reached by a diver.

The measurement device is built around a special membrane located inside an additional crown on the left side of the watch’s oversized 46 mm stainless steel case.

The deeper the watch is submerged, the stronger membrane is forced inside the case, actuating both red and blue levers. The red lever always shows the maximum depth, but it can be released with the smaller button, which is ergonomically placed at 4 o’clock, just below the depth gauge “sensor.”

Well, while you still can’t call this a professional diver’s watch, because its water resistance is limited at 120 meters (for example, Favre-Leuba Bathy V.2 and Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Pro Geographic Navy SEALs feature water resistance of up to 300m) it is still a nice watch to have if you are not into professional scuba diving.

Just like the rest of the new Aquatimer family, the Deep Two features an external PVD coated rotating bezel with a 60 minute scale and really simple and highly legible dial with prominent markings and huge hour and minute hands.

The new watch is powered by the IWC caliber 30110 automatic movement that we have already seen in a number of other watches of the brand, including the tiny IWC Ingenieur Midsize 34 mm and some Portofino models.

Based on the well-known ETA 2892-A2, it features some critical components removed and replaced with those made to higher IWC standards.

The IWC Aquatimer Deep Two will be sold with either stainless steel bracelet (Ref. IW354701) or on a rubber strap (Ref. IW354702.)

Photos: IWC

IWC Aquatimer Deep Two watch’s specification :

Price range: $16,100
Movement: IWC caliber 30110, automatic with central second hand
Complications: Date, depth meter
Power reserve: 40 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Case diameter: 46 mm
Case height: 15.5 mm
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 12 BAR (120 meters)
Strap: Rubber
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective, 1.9mm thick