Thank you for the Excellent review Doc!

 

Enjoyed the review with good pics and comparison shots - don't see any issue with the case cut outs around the pusher and crown, in fact I like them; like the bracelet - really suits the watch and Aquastar's male end links slope down and around the wrist so they just aren't an issue; can't agree on the 500 designation - theres nothing wrong with it being 200 WR and the reason for it is eminently sensible so the 500 designation just seems superfluous and a bit silly (a small niggle granted) ... and finally ... why are LJP chronos so darn thick- it really impacts on what the designers can do with the watches .... is this new one 2mm thicker than movements designed to do the same job 50+ years ago? Am I missing something??
Anyway, I do like the watch and its good to see the Benthos back - looking forward to seeing wrist pics when they start arriving at their buyers!

 

Sadly, yes the LJP movements are thick. My question was exactly the same as yours.... why is this new one 2mm thicker than movements designed to do the same job 50+ years ago?

Unfortunately, they were pretty much the only game in town if Aquastar wanted to go Swiss. Remember this is also the middle of Covid time with development schedule in the years, not months, if you could even get someone to make a movement for you. Then there is the cost. Let's just call it eyewatering..... but there literally was no other option.

As for the 500 as opposed to 200. There is also a long game in play.......... Maybe a Benthos 200 will be made. Thinner bezel, thinner crystal, thinner chapter ring, although that is dictated by the height of the hand stack. Honestly don't know how much could be skimmed off to make it but I certainly have had that conversation.

I coined a phrase for the byline of my new book: Aquastar - it's just a matter of time. I think it is very apt

 

Great review, a nice pre-order discount too.

 

Another insightful review. thanks!

 

Thanks for writing this review. I really enjoyed the great photography and the detailed insights.

I greatly prefer written reviews over lazy Youtube videos with people rambling and parroting the usual tropes and catchphrases from all the other Youtube videos.

Good stuff Doc!

 

Thank you for the kind words. I enjoy writing them and taking pics which I hope people want to see.

 

 

And I am indeed wearing it 😀

 

@Flyingdoctor : thanks for the very informative review and the nice shots. Could you post some videomaterial of the watch online?

 

I could try. Let me see if I can make something that is useful

 

Chunky bracelet today

 

It's a modem burner

Benthos 500 – Founder’s Edition – A Dive Into Time

View attachment 18257834

Great review and thanks for the time you took to make it. I had absolutely no plans on getting another watch in the near future. But when this this Benthos 500 Chronograph Founders Edition was first announced I jumped at the chance. Really looking forward to it. Thanks again, Gary

 

It amazes me the watch has not sold out yet!

 

Surprises me too but trying to be objective and stand back and look at things, there are a number of things that may be a partial reason.

There is no doubt Rick Marei has been behind some darned good watches with DOXA, Aquastar, Synchron and Aquadive. Pretty much any limited edition he has put out in the sub $1000 range has sold out in days. Times have changed and money is tight for most people. It's easier to justify 990 bucks, not so easy with 2,800.

The size may put some people off, but I really am being honest when I say that the watch wears incredibly well even on my somewhat less than Popeye proportions 6.75 inch wrist. The changes to the case and use of the vintage style 18 star caseback and the 22mm lugs make it far better wearing than the vintage 500 or H1, even though it is heavier when wearing it on a bracelet.

The watch world has definitely moved in the smaller, lighter and thinner direction. I've beaten the drum about flat casebacks for years and even DOXA have finally started to get with the program

Not everyone wants the complication of the chrono function and are happy with the Benthos look and feel of the H1 at almost 1/3 of the price. And of course, there are alternatives out there that will vie for the money.

I don't doubt it will sell out and as soon as people start to get their watches, I think more people will start to see what a cool watch it is. As I said in the review, I believe the new 500 will be another of those...man, I wish I had bought one of those... watches.

Diving Duck, thinks it is pretty slick

 

Really great writeup. Thank you.

 

I love pretty much everything about it but the case height makes it an absolute non starter for me alas.

 

In the meanwhile. I'm in the middle of modifying the BOR Bracelet

 

Finished "flattening" the faux BOR endpieces on the bracelet. I definitely prefer the clean look.

 

finally, why is this not obvious?

 

It's a modem burner

Benthos 500 – Founder’s Edition – A Dive Into Time

View attachment 18257834

Thank you for the amazingly detailed review!
One question, what is the weight of just the watch head?

 

112 grams

 

Thank you!

 

AQUASTAR BENTHOS 500 II

 

Thanks for great review!
Love mine - tried it on multiple straps/bracelets and looks like steel mesh from WatchGecko would be main one!

 

Flyingdoctor,

Love your reviews and have read almost all the material I can find on the piece including purchasing the hardcover book incoming. Just got out of the pool with it.

I followed your advice and also flattened out the entire BOR bracelet to increase tooliness/limit scuffs and buffs I’ll get during preflights/ops. Falling in love.

Look forward to seeing future reviews and material.

-Rotormann

 

Thanks for the kind words. If it is the new Anatomy of a Design book you just bought then I'll spoil it a bit for you I discussed the design of the bracelet in it. Here's a couple of pages...

Although I think the faux BOR endpieces look nice, I just prefer the brushed look to match the case so I spent a while with a dremel and sandpaper and removed most of the ridges. Need to go back and do the final couple of lines. It just looks better flat and brushed in my opinion.

 

Time for a cigar, coffee, and a bit of light reading!