Benthos

Aquastar Benthos Heritage II

The Aquastar Benthos Heritage II is a Swiss automatic dive watch with 300 m water resistance, sapphire crystal and signed crown.

Technical SPECIFICATIONS:

Case: Aesthetics of the original Benthos 500 from 1970 in a smaller form factor of 40mm, 904L Stainless steel case (44mm lug-to-lug), crown at 2:00, Manual Helium Release Valve at 4:00
Movement: Swiss-made Swiss Selitta SW200-1, hours, minutes, seconds
Water Resistance: 300 meters, 1000 feet
Crystal: Flat, triple-coated AR sapphire
Dial: Semi-gloss Black, applied hour markers with high density SuperLuminova filling
Bezel: Unidirectional 120 click rotating elapsed time ceramic bezel
Straps: Black Genuine ISOfrane® strap
Limited Edition: 500 pieces

BOR bracelet option available to order; please choose (strap/bracelet option)

Delivery: First batch sold out, second batch available, ships with 2 business days

Swiss made · Engraved serial · Free worldwide shipping. See live pricing and availability on aquastar.ch.

In stock. Ships within 24 hours from Bienne.

Order at aquastar.ch → Ask a watchmaker

✓ Swiss made ✓ Lifetime servicing in Bienne ✓ Free worldwide shipping ✓ Engraved serial number

RE-INVENTING THE ICONIC BENTHOS 500

Ahistoric diver in a contemporary size

Inspired by the legendary Aquastar Benthos from the 1970s, the Benthos Heritage II is not merely a re-edition but a visionary interpretation of how the original creators might’ve evolved this horological icon.

Drawing inspiration from recently discovered sketches in the Aquastar archives, this new model seamlessly blends vintage character with modern stature.

“The Benthos Heritage II represents a perfect fusion of the rich heritage of the Benthos and contemporary proportions of 40mm and 12mm height,”. “It’s a testament to our commitment to carry the torch of our founders into a bright future for Aquastar.”

Aquastar Benthos Heritage II, photographed in ambient light

Heart of the Benthos Heritage II

At the heart of the Benthos Heritage II is a series of core characteristics that were requested by the Aquastar community over the past 5 years. “We listened carefully to the feedback and requests of our supportive community on our official forum and on social media, and incorporated these features into the Benthos Heritage II”

BENTHOS iconic Design

Echoing the archival sketches, the watch boasts two signature crowns positioned at 2 and 4 o’clock, offering both functionality and distinctive aesthetics.

“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,”. “We are proud to be both historians and custodians of this rich brand, using the new Benthos Heritage II to pay tribute to Aquastar’s influence and innovations in the Dive Watch world.

40mm diameter and 12mm height

With its water-resistance accordingly readjusted from 500m to a still very respectable 300m, owing to the small form factor but also, to help more clearly distinguish it from its bigger brothers, bearing the Benthos 500 name.

Technical specifications

Aquastar Benthos Heritage II: every measurement, grade, and line.

Case

Aesthetics of the original Benthos 500 from 1970 in a smaller form factor of 40mm, 904L Stainless steel case (44mm lug-to-lug), crown at 2:00, Manual Helium Release Valve at 4:00

Movement

Swiss-made Swiss Selitta SW200-1, hours, minutes, seconds

Water Resistance

300 meters, 1000 feet

Crystal

Flat, triple-coated AR sapphire

Dial

Semi-gloss Black, applied hour markers with high density SuperLuminova filling

Bezel

Unidirectional 120 click rotating elapsed time ceramic bezel

Straps

Black Genuine ISOfrane® strap

Limited Edition

500 pieces

In the field

Aquastar Benthos Heritage II

In the field

The Aquastar Benthos Heritage II, photographed by the divers who wear it.

Read the story & see more →

Gallery

Aquastar Benthos Heritage II, in photographs.

27 photographs from the Aquastar archive. Click any image to enlarge.

Owner reviews

What owners say.

All reviews are from verified owners.

★★★★★

The Benthos H2 is a perfect desk diver. Great proportions, and the thin profile helps it slide under a cuff. The beads of rice bracelet is well constructed and eye catching. Off of the bracelet and on a tropic strap, the H2 could also stand up to any activity thrown its way. The lumed bezel pops at all the right times to remind you how capable of a watch it is. I love the symmetric styling of the dual crowns even though I'll probably never need a He escape valve.

Brent M.

★★★★★

Excellent watch with an impressive balance between history and vintage style and great build construction, with a workhorse caliber, a case of 904L steel with proportioned dimensions and a ceramic bezel.

Pablo O.

★★★★★

I’ve had my Benthos H2 for over a year now. The 40mm size and how it sits on my wrist absolutely fantastic! The 904l steel also adds a nice touch and the ceramic bezel is beautifully done. Most importantly, the movement has been rock solid. I’ve mostly worn it on the ISOfrane strap and it adds look and substance to make it a true tool watch. My only wishes would be 1) To utilize the classic orange arrow second hand on the H2 (like the H1 and Professional) instead of the plain orange second hand. 2) I get that it’s 120 clicks, but the bezel movement could be smoother. All-in- all a great value and a no brainer purchase. Not sure if you can get more watch with the beautiful 70s styling for the price.

Ben R.

★★★★★

Awesome watch overall...great value based on a lot of other divers out there. I've been enjoying it on the bracelet and it gets lots of comments! The ISO strap didn't fit me well, but I had a Tropic and that looks so good on it and gives it more of the vintage vibe. Definitely an "in the know" watch. You won't be disappointed!

Ben

★★★★★

I am wearing the Benthos right now on a Lldder bracelet, which is a great look complementing the dual crown 70s feel. An overlooked detail is the alternating five-minute chunks in white and black as well as the angular typography on the bezel. All very well put together. Solid like a rock, too.

kosmar

★★★★★

I love the aesthetics of the original Benthos 500 from 1970 in a smaller form factor case of 40mm. The curved case shape makes it hug the wrist, and the height of less than 12mm makes it not feel bulky. But even though it is slim, the build quality has not been compromised, as it feels solidly built. Here you get a modern diver wrapped in Aquastar's heritage.

Tor S.

★★★★★

This watch is basically the perfect smallish cushion case diver. I can't believe shipped it's currently discounted to 1266 if you get a coupon. Insane value. Ended my itch for anymore cushion case seikos (baby turle in particular) and any desire for another DOXA (i've sold all my doxas, the finish quality just isn't there for the price.) Yeah, you should buy this watch. I say that as a microbrand owner. It's become my "less expensive to damage" automatic diver of choice these days. Yes it's pricey, but for the finish, ergonomics of the case, dial print quality, the raised hour markers, bezel action, and in my opinion crown action that's only second to Rolex/Tudor, I don't know why you wouldn't get one as your next watch.

Stephen F.

Questions

Before you order.

How does the Benthos H2 differ from the H1?

The Heritage II is built on a smaller 40mm case (44mm lug-to-lug) made from premium 904L stainless steel, the same high-grade steel used in luxury watches, rather than the standard 316L found in the other Benthos models. It also adds a Manual Helium Release Valve at 4:00, a feature required for saturation diving where watches are used in hyperbaric chambers.

What is a Helium Escape Valve and why does it matter?

During saturation diving, divers live in pressurized environments for days or weeks. Tiny helium molecules penetrate the watch seals and, during decompression, can build up enough pressure to pop the crystal off. The Helium Escape Valve (HEV) allows the gas to safely escape. Its presence signals that this watch is designed for professional-grade deep sea use.

What is 904L stainless steel?

904L is a superalloy stainless steel with higher resistance to corrosion, particularly from saltwater and chlorine, compared to standard 316L. It is harder to machine but results in a more durable and lustrous finish, a significant materials upgrade.

Is this a limited edition?

Yes, limited to 500 pieces. Each model is individually numbered and engraved on the case back.

What dial options are available?

The Benthos H2 comes in two dial colors: black and blue.

How often does the Benthos Heritage II need servicing, and what does it cost?

A full service every 5 to 10 years is plenty, depending on how often you wear and dive it. There is no annual service requirement. It runs a Swiss automatic movement built for reliability and easy long-term maintenance. For a current service quote, reach us through the Aquastar service page.

How water resistant is the Benthos Heritage II?

It is rated to 300 metres on the case the Benthos was built around, comfortably beyond recreational scuba limits and ready for serious diving as well as daily wear.

How does the Benthos dive bezel work?

The Benthos uses a case with an internal rotating dive bezel, turned by a second crown rather than an external ring. You set your dive time on the protected inner bezel, a 1960s design that keeps the timing scale safe behind the crystal and works easily with gloves.

How does the Benthos Heritage II wear?

It is built on a 40mm case with a compact 44mm lug-to-lug span, making it the most wrist-friendly Benthos. The 904L stainless steel and slim 12mm height keep it comfortable for daily wear despite its 300 metre dive credentials.

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