After the previews published a few weeks ago in the pages of our Blog, we return to talk about the new Aquatimers made by IWC for Sihh 2014. We do so with the Chronograph Edition "50 Years Science for Galapagos" and the Chronograph Edition "Expedition JacquesYves Cousteau". With the former, in a limited edition of 500 pieces, the House pays tribute to the 50th birthday of the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific institution of the Charles Darwin Foundation on the Galapagos Islands (let us recall, in this regard, that since 2009, the Swiss watchmaker has been supporting and promoting the Charles Darwin Foundation, making an essential contribution to the continuation of its various research activities). For the first time, this special edition is equipped with the IWC-manufactured 89365 calibre. Another distinctive feature of this model is the black rubber lining of the steel case, applied by means of a laborious vulcanisation process. Also made of rubber is the strap equipped with IWC's practical replacement system. On the dial, the hands and indices are treated with a series of layers of SuperLuminova and in the darkness they glow in two colours, enabling the diver to distinguish the time indications from the dive time immediately. The new rotating bezel makes it easier to use with diving gloves or cold fingers. With its second watch, IWC pays tribute to the famous pioneer of marine exploration, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and the extraordinary expedition voyage that took him, together with his ship Calypso, to the Galapagos archipelago. The sea-blue dial with its inner rotating bezel and the small coral-red seconds hand inside the counter at 9 o'clock recall the passion for coral reefs that accompanied Cousteau throughout his life. The chronograph function allows the measurement of time intervals and additional times up to 12 hours, naturally also under water. These features make this timepiece a valuable backup system when diving, for example for measuring decompression times. The SuperLuminova luminescent treatment guarantees great legibility even when underwater in dark areas or low light conditions. To eliminate any risk of confusion, the luminosity of the hands and indices is in various colours: green for dive-relevant indications, blue for displaying the hours, and coral red for the small seconds hand, which allows constant functional monitoring even in the absence of light. A day of the week and date display is also included with this chronograph. The engraving on the case back depicts the portrait of the Commander, as Jacques-Yves Cousteau was familiarly known, with his head covered by his characteristic woollen cap. The watch is supplied with a black rubber strap and features IWC's new bracelet quick-change system, which enables the wearer to switch from the strap to the stainless-steel bracelet, which is available on request, conveniently and independently.
