gioarmani Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 I know I've had this piece for a week or more, but I've finally gotten around to a short review. This is the 2006 IWC Aquatimer "Cousteau Diver" from Eurotimez, the third review in my biggest Xmas shipment. A big and warm thank you to US Customs @ JFK in NY, for letting every single order I've ever made slide through unnoticed (even large orders of multiple full-size suitcases. God bless us, every one! ) Forever and day I've been torn between the '06 & '07, and the '06 finally won out enough for me to order. I really like the '07 dial's orange, but I feared it might just be a bit too much on me. The wood back on the '06 was probably the deciding factor, to be honest. To me, this seems to wear about the same as my DSSD, but maybe smaller on the wrist than the AP ROO Rubens Barrichello. And yes; I plan to have Zig relume this one--I also plan on replacing the wood sticker on the case-back with genuine veneer, per the tutorial on that (sorry--the member's name escapes me). Like the Tag & the AP, this too is my first IWC (and frankly, the only IWC I like). Theinner bezel-ring turns & lines up properly and fortunately none of the dial markers seem to be too far off kilter. This is also the first watch I've purchased with AR, and it really is lovely. It really makes all the colors on the dial pop; the white of the lume, the gloss blue, the oranges, and even the silver of the hour-markers. The day & date also line up perfectly, so unless someone knows if this is the incorrect font compared to the gen, I don't see a reason to replace the wheels. Anyway, on to the pics. I'm quite pleased by how the shape & flow of the band's curvature follows that of the case. Very nice. Even the buckle is nicely detailed. Just like the AP ROO I reviewed, this is on of only two watches I've ever owned without steel bands, and they really do fit & wear more than comfortable. Even though the case-back's wood is merely a digitally printed sticker on the reps, it still looks good enough to the naked eye. Sharp engravings, as well. The lume is applied nice and even, but I really like the chunkier look of the relumes I see posted elsewhere, in other member's reviews. And all the dial print is sharp as a tack--even on the ribbed surface of the matte sub-dials (which next to the gloss on the dial makes for a beautiful contrast). The crown is also sharp and nicely engraved. All in all, I really like this piece more than I thought I would. This will certainly be getting most of my wrist time for the next few weeks. Hope you enjoyed looking and a good 2020 to all! Auf Wiedersehen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniz21 Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 beautyful watch, great pics, and nice writing thank you very much for this wear it well best regards denz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted January 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Thank you very much! Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Great write up and photos. Judging by the photos the AR seems pretty good as well. ??? I am very curious about the AR and if this is a must send to Chief to get right/better. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Love it G...it's definitely one of my faves...in fact I'm wearing mine now. I didn't think much of the 2007 one initially...but when I ended up buying one on a whim...fell in love with it when it arrived. Nice pics as always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Can't believe I forgot the lume shot on this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valerian Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I dont like IWC diver watches, I don't like IWC diver watches, I don't like IWC diver watches... Must... resist... from... buying... echchch!! Dang! I need to get one of those! Thanks for the great review. Val. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 So on an AR scale for the crystal. With Chief/Gen being a 10, where does this fall? Scale of 1 - 10? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) I'd say 8.5-9? Edited January 2, 2010 by gioarmani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamul Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 I must admit it is a beauty, my Ingy is my favourite at the moment.maybe i get one of these in the future.thx for the pictures and the review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 I dont like IWC diver watches, I don't like IWC diver watches, I don't like IWC diver watches... ... Thanks for the great review. Do it...definitely one of the best of the whole AT line. Fantastic watch...still wearing my Ziggified one as I type...and comfy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) UPDATE: After waterproofing, this piece just tested solid to 9.381 ATM!!! Quite happy. Also, a few quick shots of the inside while greasing the gaskets & rings: Also, does anyone know how to get the straps off one of these? Thanks in advance. Edited January 3, 2010 by gioarmani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Here's the link for this piece: http://www.eurotimez88.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_54&products_id=2636&osCsid=621bddf431f2c352148ae0b01a6b9446 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docdoc Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 (edited) modding the back with real wood (wengé or red cedar for example) is easy and astonished ! nothing to compare with the cheap sticker Edited January 31, 2010 by docdoc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 Congrats gio.. great Piece, the 2006.. none of the CD's lived up tot he 2006 Thanks for the time ..and the Review.. AC/Lani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cotavallecas Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) This is mine ad214/cota123/DSCF1473-1.jpg Edited February 1, 2010 by cotavallecas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altralazer Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Congrats, great looking watch!! The lumes look great already; how long did you expose the picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimoza Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Great watch! wear it well. Any hand alignment issues when reseting chrono? Any extra work done on chrono pushers for waterproofing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkBachs Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 modding the back with real wood (wengé or red cedar for example) is easy and astonished ! nothing to compare with the cheap sticker Link to how it's been done... http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/102043-real-wood-for-the-iwc-cousteau-2006-mode/?hl=cousteau#entry707677 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camarão® Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Lovely watch, Im about to order one. Is the strap dark blue or black? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camarão® Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Looking for a leather strap for this beauty, anyone have found some? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.