What If a 1970s Dive Watch Evolved?

When it comes to vintage watch reissues, we’re all familiar with the formula. A brand, often one that’s been resurrected after decades of dormancy, faithfully recreates one of its watches from the mid-twentieth century, swapping in modern materials and movements but otherwise keeping the original design intact. There’s nothing wrong with this strategy, and it has proven quite popular as it provides contemporary buyers with watches that look and feel vintage but offer far greater reliability and durability.

Aquastar, one of those aforementioned reborn brands, has utilized this blueprint many times since resurfacing in 2020, and to great success. But for its latest reimagining of one of its mid-century dive watches, the brand has taken a slightly different approach.

A New Direction for the Benthos

Aquastar has already produced a couple of pretty straightforward reissues of its iconic Benthos 500 chronograph diver from the 1970s with the Benthos 500 II chronograph and the time-only Benthos Heritage I. But for its latest take on the Benthos, Aquastar’s designers asked themselves a simple question: What would’ve happened if the brand hadn’t gone extinct during the Quartz Crisis?

The result is the Benthos Heritage II, a watch that imagines what might have been if Aquastar had continued to evolve its designs in the 1970s and 1980s. The watch retains the classic Benthos aesthetic, but with a few key updates that give it a fresh, modern feel.

• The Benthos Heritage II features a 40mm stainless steel case, slightly larger than the original Benthos 500 but still compact enough to fit under a shirt cuff.
• The watch is powered by a modern automatic movement, which provides a 38-hour power reserve and a smooth, accurate sweep.
• The dial is a stunning recreation of the original Benthos design, with a subtle gradient effect that gives it a sense of depth and dimension.
• The watch also features a unidirectional rotating bezel, complete with a distinctive “pip” at the 12 o’clock position.

The Benthos Heritage II is a fascinating thought experiment, a watch that asks us to consider what might have been if Aquastar had continued to innovate and evolve its designs over the years. It’s a reminder that even the most iconic watch designs can be updated and reimagined for the modern era, while still retaining their timeless charm and appeal.