Aquastar Airstar Chronograph SS, 60th Anniversary Re-Edition

Celebrating the 60th anniversary

celebrating the 60th anniversary of the

Maritime pioneers, global navies, and intrepid explorers like Jacques Mayol and Philippe Cousteau have long relied upon the Aquastar spirit of timekeeping innovation and utility, which began in 1962. These traditions persist today with the relaunch of the Swiss maker’s famous Airstar Chronograph.

“Among many of the innovations pioneered by Aquastar founder Frederic Robert, the Airstar Chronograph from 1964 was a departure from the traditional tool dive watch” says Rick Marei, Aquastar’s modern helmsman. “The Airstar features a depth rating of 200 meters, a screw down crown and many attributes essential for serious water resistance, yet combined with aviation grade capabilities”.

60th anniversary airstar

While the 316L stainless steel case of the new Airstar retains the signature Skin diver case shape of the original from 1964. The new Airstar is built around the traditional Swiss Chronograph calibre from Valjoux, the 7753, this calibre offers outstanding reliability and great after-market serviceability.

Crafted with Legacy, Engineered for Today.

“With every Aquastar release, we try to look at the product cycles introduced by the brand’s original founder, Frederic Robert, and look ahead to what he might still be producing, had the brand never been paused during the quartz crisis,” says Marei. “We are proud to be both historians and custodians of this rich brand, using the new AIRSTAR to pay tribute to Aquastar’s influence and innovations in the Swiss Watch world.

Heritage Movement, Modern Precision.

Like its predecessor, the new new Airstar Re-edition is powered by a Valjoux calibre, unlike the 1964 Airstar that used a manual wind Valjoux 72, the new Airstar is powered by a Top grade automatic Valjoux 7753 calibre

What is the Aquastar Airstar? +

The Airstar is a chronograph dive watch first introduced in 1964 that was designed to serve both aquatic and aviation purposes, a rare dual-purpose professional tool. While it features all the hallmarks of a serious dive watch (screw-down crown, 200m water resistance, rotating bezel), it also features a tachymeter scale on the bezel for speed calculation, an aviation-grade capability. The modern 60th Anniversary Airstar revives this design in a DLC-coated version.

What is DLC coating on the Airstar? +

The DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating gives the Airstar its stealthy black appearance and dramatically increases the case's resistance to scratches. Unlike PVD coatings, DLC is an actual carbon-based hard film applied at the molecular level, offering superior durability, appropriate for a watch designed for dual professional use.

What movement does the Airstar use? +

The Airstar is powered by the Valjoux 7753, a top-grade automatic chronograph movement from ETA's Valjoux division. The 7753 is a tried-and-true caliber with 27 jewels, 48-hour power reserve, 28,800 vibrations per hour, and Incabloc shock protection. Its use in the Airstar is a direct nod to the original 1964 model, which used a manual Valjoux 72, both are Valjoux family members.

What is the tachymeter and how is it used? +

A tachymeter is a scale on the bezel used to calculate speed based on elapsed time over a known distance (typically one mile or kilometer). To use it: start the chronograph when you pass a reference point, stop it one mile/kilometer later, and read your speed directly from the tachymeter scale. This was a key aviation tool in the 1960s for pilots timing speed runs.

How does the Airstar's heritage connect to famous divers? +

Maritime pioneers and legendary explorers including Jacques Mayol and Philippe Cousteau relied on Aquastar timepieces. The Airstar was part of this tradition, a watch that could function both beneath the waves and in aircraft cockpits, reflecting the adventurous spirit of the era.

What are the chronograph functions? +

The Airstar provides: a central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute counter sub-dial, small running seconds, and the 60-minute bidirectional elapsed-time rotating bezel. Together these allow timing of multiple events across short and medium durations.

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Aquastar Airstar Chronograph SS, 60th Anniversary Re-Edition

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