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Test: IWC Aquatimer Cousteau Divers Chronograph

Seadweller4000

By Seadweller4000
in Other Watch Reviews

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Seadweller4000 Newbie

Seadweller4000

Posted
Posted (edited)

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Into the deep Blue Sea

Hommage to the spirit of Jaques-Yves Cousteau, the man in the red woollen cap, who opened the eyes of mankind not only to the magic of our oceans, but also to the threat faced by them.

The proximity to the ideas of the most famous Frenchman of modern times finds expression in a quite unusual way in the Aquatimer Special Edition: Every watch incorporates a small piece of the legendary Calypso, the first vessel from which Cousteau and his crew dived on the world

Edited by Seadweller4000
Stephane Apprentice

Stephane

Posted
Posted

Wow, that is one of the best review I saw and read.

I know how much time and efforts it took you to achieve it.

Thank you very much for this.

I was still wondering if I would get one.

Your review might help me to decide.

Cheers

Stephane

chrgod Newbie

chrgod

Posted
Posted

Really nice review. I can understand that many people prefer this version before the regular Aquatimer. :) I like the score-system!

2005SUBMARINER Newbie

2005SUBMARINER

Posted
Posted

great review man !! i am not a IWC fan but im likeing this CD ! :thumbsupsmileyanim:

how would you rate the water proofness of this watch ? everytime i see a chrono diver rep makes me a lil worried about the chrono pushers , water might get into those ..

mezzanine Newbie

mezzanine

Posted
Posted

First of all, thanks for the awesome review!!

I have a question:

You mentioned you took it to a watchmaker to get it checked out, etc...

And I noticed that you said that it arrived clean and oiled. Was this something you had confirmed? I ask, because if the rep factories are doing a better job of sending the watches out with oiled/clean movements, I might wait a while before sending 'er off to The Zigmeister for a service.

The Zigmeister had mentioned that most of the asian 7750's he gets in are not clean or oiled very well....and since we've been hearing less complaints about the A7750's, I wondered if maybe they're doing a better job of getting it right from the beginning...

Seadweller4000 Newbie

Seadweller4000

Posted
  • Author
Posted

First of all, thank you all for your kind words!

The waterproofness was tested by a Bergeon pressuretester, it only tests if the watch can stand 30 seconds in a pressure of 50m. It did not fail, so I feel pretty safe taking it into the water - I would not snorkel with it however.

This does not mean every CD replica is waterproof. Please make a test with your own watch before swimming...

First of all, thanks for the awesome review!!

I have a question:

You mentioned you took it to a watchmaker to get it checked out, etc...

And I noticed that you said that it arrived clean and oiled. Was this something you had confirmed? I ask, because if the rep factories are doing a better job of sending the watches out with oiled/clean movements, I might wait a while before sending 'er off to The Zigmeister for a service.

The Zigmeister had mentioned that most of the asian 7750's he gets in are not clean or oiled very well....and since we've been hearing less complaints about the A7750's, I wondered if maybe they're doing a better job of getting it right from the beginning...

Again, I can only make a statement for the watch I received. We wondered about the good condition of the movement, it was really good. Again, I do not know if I just got lucky or if the quality standart of all asian movements has gotten better...

By-Tor Newbie

By-Tor

Posted
Posted (edited)

This was absolutely brilliant review, once again. Thanks man.

PS: I saved this until I had enough time to relax with it (and a cup of coffee). It didn't disappoint. :) Keep doing these... much appreciated.

Edited by By-Tor
dluddy Apprentice

dluddy

Posted
Posted

Just got around to reading this review. Fantastic work. I've been on the fence about this one but now feel more educated about it.

Thanks for taking the time to write this up and share :thumbsupsmileyanim:

mezzanine Newbie

mezzanine

Posted
Posted

Just received the watch.....

Very impressed with it. The 'super-reps' are truly a step above. I've had most of the good reps that pre-dated the super-reps, and they're not in the same league. The folks that have mentioned the SFSO as the best reps ever...I have to wonder whether they've had this watch and the HBB. I'm going to be getting the Steelfish soon, so I'll be able to say for myself, but it's hard to imagine it eclipsing this watch.

If I had to buy one watch, or *keep* only one watch, this one would probably be it. I'm excited to get the Steelfish only because it has got to be killer if it's regarded as being in the same league as the Cousteau.

It makes me wonder what type of margin the factory gets on these. I'm sure they get an incredible profit, but I have no problems imagining that the cost going into development as well as the production costs themselves would be significantly higher than with other reps.

Seadweller4000 Newbie

Seadweller4000

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you all for your kind replys!

This game wouldn't be half the fun without the boards and the reviews! ^_^

@ By-Tor: I'm really looking forward for your TAG Aquaracer review... right? ;)

@mezzanie: Yes, Steelfish and Cousteau are really a nice couple:

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mezzanine Newbie

mezzanine

Posted
Posted (edited)

seadweller, you're right about the combo- hopefully in the next week I'll have both watches.

Something I've noticed about the Cousteau, is that it looks way better in real life than it does in pictures. I think it might be my favourite rep. Hard to say, because I just got it and the novelty is fresh, but it seems to me to the best of a few different worlds. The HBB is dramatic and my 'style' of watch...but it's comfort level isn't the best. It is less conventional as well, which is both good and bad.

The dial of the Cousteau seems to get washed out in pictures...but it's a really crisp blue with a lot of natural shine- but then when you add the really spectacular AR, the combination of the light hitting the shiny blue surface while the AR prevents the reflection from causing glare on the crystal is really something else considering the sheer size of the crystal. Really cool....

The story behind the Cousteau is great, which I think adds to it's allure. The watch is large and round (obviously), but with the way the rubber strap tapers into the case, it streamlines the watch as it sits on the wrist- and smaller wristed folk like myself can pull it off. It's an interesting blend of classic styling and modern touches that combine to make it a really understated, but solid presence on the wrist.

Edited by mezzanine
Seadweller4000 Newbie

Seadweller4000

Posted
  • Author
Posted
seadweller, you're right about the combo- hopefully in the next week I'll have both watches.

Something I've noticed about the Cousteau, is that it looks way better in real life than it does in pictures. I think it might be my favourite rep. Hard to say, because I just got it and the novelty is fresh, but it seems to me to the best of a few different worlds. The HBB is dramatic and my 'style' of watch...but it's comfort level isn't the best. It is less conventional as well, which is both good and bad.

The dial of the Cousteau seems to get washed out in pictures...but it's a really crisp blue with a lot of natural shine- but then when you add the really spectacular AR, the combination of the light hitting the shiny blue surface while the AR prevents the reflection from causing glare on the crystal is really something else considering the sheer size of the crystal. Really cool....

The story behind the Cousteau is great, which I think adds to it's allure. The watch is large and round (obviously), but with the way the rubber strap tapers into the case, it streamlines the watch as it sits on the wrist- and smaller wristed folk like myself can pull it off. It's an interesting blend of classic styling and modern touches that combine to make it a really understated, but solid presence on the wrist.

I have heard several times about the "uncomfortable" HBB's clasp, that's why I never bought it. Even though I like the design of the black magic a lot.

The rest of your observation is quite correct, very nice said. I still hope my pictures can give an idea of how the watch appears in person. It took me indeed some tries... :lol:

lanikai Newbie

lanikai

Posted
Posted

ditto .. thank you...... I was going to order the Ingenuier... but now ... and i inquired about the 2007 cousteau ... should be out in september, they have the gen to copy from... price surprisingly I am told will be the same as the current model.. they are just makng sure the orange colour and the bezel inlay is dead on...

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