Aquastar Center Chrono Benthos 500Le

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Aquastar unveils its most prestigious dive watch to date, built around a newly developed center-mounted 60-minute chronograph calibre exclusive to Aquastar
For over fifty years, the Aquastar Benthos chronograph has remained the paragon of capability and dive watch collectability - a rarity in watchmaking both for its unique design and functionality, and its actual rarity as surviving examples remain scarce and highly collectable. However, since the brand’s triumphant re-launch in 2020, the modern Aquastar catalog has been without this revered, and sought-after vintage icon, but it’s not without good reason: there have been no modern center-mounted chronograph movements commercially available for watchmakers to utilize. So in collaboration with La Joux-Perret, Aquastar rebuilt this key functionality, exclusively for its debut in the Benthos 500 Founder’s Edition.

[@Kpiotr]

There's something about the 70s watch design I can't put my finger on but I love. It's like a time watch companies reinvented themselves, despite or due to the quartz crisis. And, whatever Rick Marei touches, is just pure gold.

[@ClickSpringReview]

It will be interesting to see if he can work his magic like he did with Doxa

[@WatchWitt]

I love this watch even more after seeing the side profile…love it! Really dig the mono pusher minute timer, too.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Trust me its very cool 😎

[@jlg395]

This is gorgeous. I’m definitely going to pick one up before the last of them sell out. Thanks for the review!

[@ClickSpringReview]

You are so welcome Sir if you get one let me know what you think of it

[@gforegerry]

I have had this on the wrist for 1 month and I have not worn any of my other watches, which tells me something. Usually I am very sceptical of the micro/boutique brands, this has really surprised me. It came with the ISO, NATO, but the bracelet was separate. In my mind, it is not a bracelet watch. I agree, it looks fantastic with the orange ISO. I think it really punches above its weight. Size is fine on my 7.5" wrist. I find the chrono function incredibly useful and can see the relevance in a diving scenario (many years ago in a previous life I was a commercial diver....now only the occasional scuba dunk). It is incredibly comfortable, which given the measurements would seem surprising. The curved shape of the lugs makes all the difference. I do like these cushion case type watches, like the Seiko Turtle 6306 and 6309 the wearability and visual impact belie the statistics. I feel my Tudor FXD & GMT are larger watches, when on paper the figures would suggest otherwise. It is a very readable dial, which for someone who now needs reading glasses is a blessing. The lack of fuss is pleasing. Value wise, it easily matches the Tudor FXD, GMT, BB Pro and BB 58 I have (plus a whole lot more...far too many watches). It is made of 914L SS not 316L. If I had two niggles....minor ones they would be: The gloss finish on the bezel. Matt in my opinion would have suited the watch better. Packaging; whilst we all like a little Tiffany blue, I would prefer a plain cotton watch role with Aquastar logo and room for a couple of spare straps and spring bar tool. The likelihood is I will travel with this watch, wear a GMT for the journey, but this for the diving, I will the Benthos. Packaging and the watch industry fascinates me...why spend so much on it. I buy the watch and then put the packaging away...some of them are so large (Omega)........! All in all one month on and I am very happy.

[@ClickSpringReview]

I completely agree about silly over the top boxes as you say with some Omega models Im sure you could take a grand of the price if it just came in a cardboard box like a Rolex does, I to think the ISO strap suits it best 👍🏻

[@robertlock6041]

Hi Barry, I wouldn't be surprised if you're suffering from shock after your injury. Please be careful: you won't be firing on all 8 for a while, just go with it and take good care of yourself. There's a lot to like about this watch, but its chubbiness isn't one of them! LJP are well renowned movement makers so there's nothing to worry about there. All in all I feel that it has a lot to offer, but it needs to lose about 1.5 - 2mm in thickness. Even just a millimetre would help, while still giving the movement enough space to operate. Thanks Barry and get well soon... LG Bob 🍻🍻🍻

[@ClickSpringReview]

I do have a video Ive recorded but not edited yet regarding the thickness of Chronographs were I show an uncased 7750 and a 2892 fitted with a DD module Bob

[@robertlock6041]

@@ClickSpringReview I'm looking forward to seeing that... 👍

[@robertlock6041]

@@ClickSpringReview Would this be the calibre fitted to the Conquest Chronograph you featured recently? Tobias at Armbanduhren has just posted a review of it. 🙂

[@nikc1313]

Very cool watch. There's a couple on eBay and I'm very tempted. Adding the orange isofrane would be a must

[@ClickSpringReview]

Yeah the orange just makes the dial pop 👍🏻

[@swanney75]

That’s a winner- love the selection of straps they give you and the 70’s stuff is the best looking of all the watch decades! Not looking forward to the 90’s watches making a comeback 😂

[@ClickSpringReview]

This ones a cracker as for 90s cool watches don't forget the IWC Porsche Design Ocean 2000 and Sinn EZM1 plus the Seiko SKX007 😎

[@zillsburyy1]

stange...YES!

[@ClickSpringReview]

And very funky 😎

[@flemmingsorensen5470]

All the best with the finger 👍

[@ClickSpringReview]

Cheers sir it’s a lot better now should be fully healed within the week 👍🏻

[@TheBimmer74]

Very cool watch. At first, I thought it was a GMT.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Yep me too :)

[@stanleynadulek4195]

Hey Barry I have this watch it's a beauty I had to buy the beads of rice separately it did not come with my watch

[@ClickSpringReview]

Firstly what a cool model well done 👍 shame you had to buy the bracelet when you get it for free over here

[@Hectorsdad]

1970’s!!! 😮 Great review though. I hope it does well for them.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Yeah Finger crossed for them I really like the chrono on this one

[@boisdog]

First impression, it looks good. But then a closer look reveals hands that are too short and too similar to allow reading the time efficiently. I dont mind the size, but the hands make it a no go for me.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Thats a fair comment but I don't mind them myself

[@jlg395]

That’s a thing you adjust to in about fifteen minutes and then never think about again.

[@spx1416]

nice looking watch but the chrono is pretty much useless and the price i think is bonkers. don't see that is anything close to £3500

[@ClickSpringReview]

The chrono is designed as a divers minute chrono counter turns out and so prefer for that, I'm sure you could get a discount if you haggled and to me there is nothing like this around and so for 3k ish its not a bad price at all and not forgetting you also get a bracelet (£220) and a true ISO strap (£135). Longines Chronos start at around 3k

[@zillsburyy1]

bulky AF. they picked up some bad habits from seiko

[@ClickSpringReview]

Any chrono is going to be about this size under a 6k price point as a 7750 movement is already over 10mm thick

[@jlg395]

Man up, son. My mom is bulky AF and you don’t hear her whining about it.