Aquastar Model 60 Steel Blue MKII complete strap/bracelet package

Aquastar Model 60 Blue

Heritage of Depth, Spirit of Adventure

From 1957 Depths to Modern Seas

2023 marked the opening of the latest chapter in the last great story in dive watches, as venerable Swiss dive instrument maker Aquastar returns with a new Model 60, a fully modernized tribute to the brand’s inaugural 1957 dive watch of the same name, which introduced a crucial safety measure for dive watches of that era: a friction ring in the rotating bezel to prevent accidental rotations. Devised and originally patented by Aquastar, this simple, but critical feature would later become a standard feature echoed by legions of dive watches in the years that followed.

The new Model 60 Model l.continues Aquastar’s earliest traditions of capability, adventure and exploration, which began in earnest on January 23rd in 1960 when US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh, wearing an original Model 60, and co-pilot Jacques Piccard, made a pioneering journey to the bottom of the Challenger Deep, aboard the bathyscaphe Trieste to a record-breaking depth of 10,916 meters (35,814 feet). Walsh’s Model 60 is recognized as Aquastar’s inaugural tool watch, and would set an early precedent for the then-nascent maker, as Aquastar’s innovative and ultra-reliable watches would quickly earn a reputation as the foremost timekeeping choice for mariners, professional divers, and ocean conservationists alike.

The evolution of the model 60

With applied markers, the luminosity of the indices has been improved dramatically and adding a Sellita SW200-1 in Élaboré grade to power the Model 60 makes it a great choice for movement aficionados. Still thoughtfully sized in a 37mm stainless steel case the Model 60 is a somewhat unique reference in the Aquastar archive. In keeping with Aquastar’s modern traditions, the new Model 60 maintains a robust 200 meters of water resistance, and is powered by the Sellita SW200-1 Caliber. The Aquastar model 60 comes on a choice of straps and bracelets. A seatbelt NATO, a genuine or a beads of rice stainless steel bracelet.

The inaugural aquastar dive watch from 1957

“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 Rick Marei, Aquastar’s modern helmsman. “We are proud to be both historians and custodians of this rich brand, using the new Model 60 to pay tribute to Aquastar’s influence and innovations in the world of undersea exploration,” he continues.

The power house Sellita SW200-1

The new Aquastar Model 60 Blue is powered by the Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1.

The Sellita SW200-1 powering the Model 60 Blue comes in Élaboré grade.

What is the Model 60 Blue? +

The Model 60 Blue is a dial color variant of the Model 60 MKII, featuring a deep blue dial in place of the standard black. It maintains all the same specifications and heritage of the MKII while adding a more expressive, ocean-inspired aesthetic. Blue dial dive watches are a beloved collector tradition, representing the sea itself.

What are the specifications of the Model 60 MKII Blue? +

The Model 60 MKII Blue shares the same 37mm 316L stainless steel case, Sellita SW200-1 Soigné movement, 200m water resistance, and 20mm lug width as the standard MKII. The only difference is the blue dial, which typically features the same high-density SuperLuminova applied markers.

How often does the Model 60 Blue 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 Model 60 Blue? +

It is rated to 200 metres (20 ATM) with a screw-down crown, so it is a genuine dive watch, not a desk diver. Ample for recreational scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming and everyday wear.

Does the Model 60 have a dive bezel? +

Yes. The current Model 60 MKII adds a unidirectional rotating dive bezel on a ceramic ball-bearing mechanism, under a triple-coated sapphire crystal. It clicks firmly in one safe direction and grips well with gloves, while keeping the clean cushion-case look of the 1962 original.

Is the Model 60 Blue comfortable on a smaller wrist? +

Very. At 37mm it is one of the most wearable watches in the Aquastar lineup, sitting neatly on slimmer wrists while keeping its vintage dive-watch character. A genuinely versatile, unisex size.

Ready to order?

Aquastar Model 60 Steel Blue MKII complete strap/bracelet package

Reserve and check out securely on aquastar.ch. Every piece built, tested, and engraved with its serial number in our Bienne workshop.

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