Introducing: The Aquastar Benthos Professional

What We Know

Aquastar has announced the Benthos Professional, a contemporary take on the brand’s most famous dive watch, the Benthos 500, first introduced in 1970. As part of the re-launched brand’s continued efforts to create a range of vintage-inspired dive watches fit for today, the new Benthos Professional offers a slimmer take on the model that also includes the use of a familiar Swiss movement and a stealthy black case treatment. 

In its latest evolution of the Benthos, Aqustar’s new Benthos Professional largely sticks to the script while attempting to offer something that will wear differently from the past versions of the Benthos. Coming in at 42mm wide with a 904L steel case, the Benthos Professional has been slimmed down to a thickness of 13.9mm. Compare that against previous outings like the Benthos H1, which was 16mm thick. Water resistance is 300 meters, the crystal is a flat sapphire with AR, and the Benthos Pro uses X1 Super Luminova, including on the ceramic dive bezel. 

Timekeeping is managed by an old friend, the ETA 2824-2 in elabore grade offering time (but no date, and no phantom crown position) along with a rate of 4 Hz and a power reserve of 38 hours. This is the same movement used by hundreds of brands over the past couple of decades, and it has been used in past models by Aquastar. It’s simple, reliable, easily serviced, and capable of considerable accuracy. 

Offered on an Isofane VS 1969 rubber strap in black, the Benthos Professional has a pre-order price of $1,290, which will rise to $1,590 when the pre-order ends. The pre-order runs until October 31, and shipping starts in November. Full specs and info below. 

What We Think

In a case of evolution over revolution, I think the focus on ergonomics serves Aquastar well with this new release. 42 x 13.9 is still a proper piece of steel for a dive watch, but don’t forget that the lug-to-lug on this case is just 47mm. I’ve had time with several of the brand’s past releases, and the thickness was always something that added to the experience (the ’70s of it all) while not offering the ideal day-to-day wearability. With a couple of millimeters shaved off the profile, I’m definitely curious to see how the new Benthos Pro wears. 

Add to that a case that looks great with a DLC treatment, and you get a surprisingly modern and appealing spin on the original design language of the Benthos. The pricing, too, feels in line with past offerings despite the addition of the DLC, starting at $100 less than the 40mm Benthos Heritage II if you take advantage of the pre-order pricing. 

The Basics

Brand: Aquastar
Model: Benthos Professional

Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 13.9mm
Case Material: 904L Steel, with black DLC treatment
Dial Color: Black
Indexes: Painted, luminous
Lume: X1 Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 300 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Isofane VS 1969 rubber strap with matching buckle

The Movement

Caliber: ETA 2824-2
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Diameter: 25.6mm
Thickness: 4.6mm
Power Reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Jewels: 25

Pricing & Availability

Price: $1,290 on pre-order, $1,590 after.
Availability:
Limited Edition:

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