I discovered Germany’s Circula Watches last year when they let me try their excellent Heritage Hand-Wound. That watch was built around a trove of new original stock Pforzheimer Uhren-Rohwerke mechanical movements from the 70s. Of course, they usually make watches with modern parts but I was impressed by the way the Heritage’s design honored its vintage heart, so I was eager to see what else the brand could do. Well, I got my wish, because today I have a Circula SuperSport in for review, a handsome interpretation of the classic super compressor diver.
The watch measures 40mm wide, 47mm long, and 13.3mm thick from the case back to the crystal. Inside is a 26-jewel, 28.8k bph Sellita SW200-1 automatic, adjusted and regulated in Circula’s Pforzheim facility where the watches are assembled. Curiously, Circula took a collaborative approach to the SuperSport’s design, allowing its fans to vote on alternative dials, handsets, etc. It wasn’t exactly crowdsourced as the brand clearly had a vision for this watch, but it did steer the details, including the size.
I generally call 40mm cases mid-sized and I think that classification still fits the SuperSport, but as I say, there’s 40mm and there’s 40mm. The dimensions on paper really tell only half the story. A round case is always going to appear smaller than a square case of the same size and there is a whole range in between as the shape fills out. The SuperSport’s nearly barrel-shaped case and thick lugs place it on the bigger side of that equation. It wears large, particularly on my 6.75” wrist. It’s not by any means oversized, but I wouldn’t want it any bigger.
A brushed finish and flat sides accentuate the watch’s broad-shouldered appearance. The case looks and feels solid but it is not without its charming details. A slim polished edge on the fixed bezel catches just a glint of light, as do the polished edges of the crowns. I rather like the way the lugs are defined by deep grooves on either side, making them appear as if they were cut from the main body. The SuperSport looks every bit like a proper tool watch, and it’s not just posing. It is rated for 300m water resistance and the primary crown screws down. More impressive is the case back, not because it is pretty (which it most certainly is with that high-relief, stamped, polished image of an old copper hat diving suit) but because it incorporates a compression spring so as you descend through the ocean’s depths and the Neptune crushes you in his watery grip, the watch becomes more water-tight. I can’t imagine that many SuperSport owners will ever make use of this feature, but damn if it isn’t cool. There are plenty of super-compressor-styled watches out there, but only a handful of legitimate super-compressors. This Circula is one of them.
Turning our attention to the face, we find an engraved internal bezel that is lume-filled and accented in sky blue. I am generally suspicious of internal bezels that do not have screw-down crowns because they are so early knocked out of position, but there is no such issue with the Circula. Its 120-click bezel is unidirectional, moves with firm clicks, and is quite secure. Indeed, I found that the crown required a good pinch to get it moving. The crowns are nicely decorated. Both have coin edges and are bisected by a deep channel. The upper one has a crosshatch head while the lower one bears an engraved and lumed Circula logo and is banded with the dial’s accent color.
Circula offers the SuperSport in Black, Petrol Blue, or 99-piece Gray Limited Edition like the one I sampled. The dials are sandwiched, displaying a bright layer of greenish C3 X1 SuperLuminova through the cut-out bar markers. The hands are long, brushed, and lumed. Even the blue second hand has a generous application on its top third. You will also notice an inner index comprised of tiny perforations and marked with that same Sky Blue used elsewhere. It’s a curious feature, but while it adds depth and interest, it has no lume beneath it. Maybe the holes would have been too small for lume to be worthwhile, but I do wonder how cool that might have looked.
It is a clean, well-executed dial. While the cool, classic Gray is a fine complement to the businesslike case, I think the Petrol Blue will be the real stunner. My only gripe is the Circula brand name. It is perfectly pleasant, but cold when compared to the flowing, 1950s version found on their dressier watches.
The SuperSport will come standard with a tropic rubber strap that I did not sample. I’m sure it’s fine, but we have all seen them before. The real attraction is the 20mm steel H-link bracelet with its polished center links. It has integrated quick-release pins for easy replacement and a push-button, flip-lock clasp with polished chamfers, and six micro-adjustments. It will be a €100 option, but if you order before October 15 it will be free.
Speaking of price, the Circula SuperSport is available for order now for €587.39 ($680.59 US) directly from the company. That price is right on target for this watch and saving over a hundred bucks on the bracelet (better move fast) is a nice bonus. The SuperSport is a charming piece from a brand that truly appreciates its heritage. If you are looking for a quality diver I would heartily recommend you head over to CirculaWatches.com and have a look.
