The automatic JeanRichard Kind Surf Aquascope Edition (60400-11l706-FK7A) was created together with an NGO founded last year by Almudena Fernandez, a Spanish top model, in order to support kids from “socially disadvantaged environments”. It looks like by buying one of these limited-edition timekeepers, you will support a good cause.
Members of the JeanRichard Aquascope collection traditionally sport mildly oversized bodies. Measuring 44 millimeters in width, the cases predictably take a lot of space on a normal wrist. The effect is further exaggerated by the timekeeper’s signature “cushion” shape: compared to a normal circular-shaped model, watches of this design simply cover more square millimeters of your skin and thus look more massive than circular-shaped ones.
Being just over 13 millimeters thick, the Aquascope is physically slim. However, the signature notched bezel is relatively thick compared to the case itself (I have got an impression that it is at least two-thirds, if not three-fourths, as thick as the case) and gives the device an even more rugged, tool-like appearance.
Although I have an impression that the watch wasn’t designed as such, you can actually use it as a tool.
Rated for three hundred meters of water resistance, it features hands that are wide and covered with a fair amount of luminous substance, while the bezel is easy to be operated even with gloved hands. Although I wouldn’t advise you to use it as your primary source of time measurement (the Sellita SW200-based Caliber JR60 is reliable and also robust, but when your oxygen runs out because the self-winding mechanism still didn’t have enough juice when you first put it on, you would probably feel a bit stupid while dying of asphyxia), it can actually be used with an electronic diving computer as a backup.
This new Kind Surf model features the same technical specs but features a less common color scheme. It looks like on these promo photos colors are screwed up, since the bezel, hour and minute hands, as well as luminous strips on the faceted hour markers, are supposed to match in hue the grey-blue color of the NGO’s logo (which is, too, green on these photos, I have already contacted JR and currently waiting for fixed photos).
UPDATE (21 Nov 2013): We have just received a reply from JeanRichard PR representative and it looks like there was something wrong with the color profile of the original photos. As you can see on a couple of photos below, the aluminum bezel and Superluminova on the dials are indeed grey-blue, not greenish as they appeared earlier.
I have also an update on the limited edition model’s price. Initially, they plan to offer the watch at just €2500 (VAT not included), but the price will certainly go North after all the timepieces will be sold out.
See also: JeanRichard Terrascope SIAR Jaguar & Golden Eagle Editions
Photos: JeanRichard
WWR verdict
Originality 4.5/5
Build quality: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Legibility: 5/5
Value for money: 4/5
JeanRichard Kind Surf Aquascope (Ref. 60400-11l706-FK7A) specification
Price: €2500
Movement: Automatic, Caliber JR60, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 26
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 38 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case and Crown: Stainless steel
Bezel: Eloxed aluminum
Shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 13.05 mm
Dial: White, waves motif
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Natural white rubber strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Engraved