Circula Aquasport II
Circula will not be a model you already know of, however they hint their roots all the way in which again to 1955. This Circula Aquasport II evokes the model’s personal fashions from the 70s and similar to the originals are nonetheless made in Germany. The Aquasport II is available in just a few dial variations like most watches do, however the one I’ve right here is the Aventurine quartz dial, restricted to 99 items and presumably one of many craziest and most unusual dials I’ve ever seen. With Swiss Actions and strong building, the AquaSport II is sort of an imaginative possibility within the Microbrand house.
Specs:
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40mm Stainless Metal Case
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20mm Lug Width
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12.6mm Thick
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46mm Lug to lug
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98.6 grams
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Domed Sapphire Crystal
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Sellita SW200-1 Motion (Commonplace or Elabore)
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200m Water Resistant
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Screw Down Crown
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X1 and BGW9 Tremendous Luminova
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Tropic Rubber or BOR Bracelet
Value as shown-$643
https://circulawatches.com/en/diverswatches/
Now whereas it is true the model’s heritage dates again to 1955, they succumbed to the quartz disaster similar to so many different manufacturers. In 2019, Corneilus Huber determined to resurrect the model, nonetheless making the watches in Germany, and a few of the designs, like this Circula Aquasport II impressed by a classic Circula mannequin, with the very talked-about barrel-shaped case, however this watch is something however classic. No that is very fashionable, with all chrome steel building, sapphire bezel inserts, screw-down crowns, and dials akin to this Aventurine and Meteorite as effectively, and some different placing choices.
The 40mm barrel-shaped chrome steel case could be very properly completed, with effective satin brush ending and excessive polished chamfers, a blue ring on the screw down crown, clean edges throughout with a 120 click on bezel with a lumed sapphire insert and a screw down stamped caseback. At 40mm by 46mm, this shall be an amazing measurement for a lot of, and on my 7 1/2 inch wrist, I discover this mannequin to be extraordinarily snug and discover it wears barely bigger than one would count on, which for me is a plus. The one factor lacking from the case? Drilled lugs, however I’ll discuss that extra shortly.
Now we have now seen many equally styled watches to this Circula Aquasport II over time, however on this specific occasion, this Aventurine dial actually units it aside from others. There are just a few different dials and colours obtainable, like the grey dial that comes with an orange chapter ring and a black bezel insert, however the Aventurine dial is proscribed to 99 items and is simply plain lovely. Now, apparently, Aventurine Quartz is inexperienced, and a commenter on Youtube identified that that is most probably Aventurine glass, not the precise mineral. Whichever it’s, this black and blue and sparkly night time sky-looking dial is so completely different and one thing I by no means thought I might see on a 200m dive watch, and one which I wasn’t precisely positive about at first, however in particular person, this dial is simply too cool.
Different highlights are it is a no-date dial (but it’s a date motion), white surrounds on the indices to make them pop in opposition to this glittery dial, and a light-weight blue second hand for one more pop of colour. The bezel is a really darkish blue as effectively.
The case again is adorned with a stunning stamped picture of a diver underwater, a pleasant change from the overabundance of see-through case backs, particularly with microbrands. The Circula Aquasport II comes with a Sellita SW200-1 motion, however you do get a selection, a normal motion or an Elabore motion, which this instance has. Many manufacturers don’t state which grade of motion they’re utilizing, and once they do not I assume it’s at all times normal, however not less than with Circula, you’re getting the choice, though both method, I’m glad we get a pleasant case again versus simply one other window displaying a reasonably mundane motion.
This Aquasport II is out there with both a blue tropic rubber strap with fast change pins or you have got the choice to improve to a classic type BOR bracelet, during which the tropic rubber is thrown in as effectively, so should you purchase the bracelet you get the straps as effectively. Sadly, I used to be not despatched the bracelet, so I cannot communicate concerning the high quality, however you’ll be able to test it out on the Circula web site. The tropic rubber is thick however pliable, however considerably quick at 120x75mm, and on my wrist, I’m simply barely capable of slide the tongue into the keepers.
For you lume incredible on the market, you’re in luck. With BGW9 on the bezel and C3 X1 SuperLuminova on the arms and indices, it is a torch at nighttime. The bezel will fade effectively earlier than the dial will, as it’s a skinny bezel insert and you may see that not a number of lume compound was capable of be utilized, however so far as the dial, this factor will glow virtually all rattling night time. Actually nice lumes.
Throughout, it is a actually nice piece from Circula. The 120-click bezel motion could be very crisp and safe, as is the crown, although once more, this has a phantom date wheel, one thing I’ve by no means been a fan of. Fast change pins aren’t my favourite both, however if you issue within the Elabore SW200-1 motion, the loopy and funky Aventurine dial, the massive and easy-to-read indices, and only a nice retro and cozy design, this Circula AquaSport II is one other nice microbrand diver. With this Aventurine dial it actually stands out much more, and with solely 99 of them obtainable, will probably be uncertain you’ll ever run into another person sporting one. This was my first time trying out a Circula watch and it’s apparent that I’m impressed, and searching ahead to seeing the SuperSport Compressor mannequin someday quickly.
