Once more, we have a watch from Aquatico in for review. Oh, Aquatico. When they are on, they can turn out fun, inexpensive dive watches like the Sea Star that deliver tremendous bang for the buck, but when they are off, we get poorly finished disappointments like the Oyster and the Poseidon. Today, I have the new $459 Aquatico Super Marine, which I can attest, falls squarely on the brand’s better side.
If the Super Marine looks familiar, it is because you are thinking of the Omega Seamaster 1000 “Grande” Diver. As that legendary watch is beyond the reach of most budget-minded enthusiasts, it has been the inspiration for an homage or two, most notably, the now-discontinued Helson Sharkmaster.
That massive case is the Super Marine’s most arresting feature. Measuring 44mm wide, 55mm long, and a whopping 15.5mm thick, this helmet-style case is a commanding chunk of stainless steel, made even more so by its sheer sides, tall (4.5mm) bezel, and hidden lugs. I don’t have a scale equipped to weigh it with the necessary degree of accuracy, but I’d estimate it is somewhere between “desktop paperweight” and “manhole cover.” Actually, it feels remarkably close to my Citizen Ecozilla. If you like big dive watches, you can handle it.
And big it is, as my 6.75″ wrist can attest.
The case is brushed all around; short and vertical on the sides, radial on top. I have faulted Aquatico’s case finishing in the past but cases like this one, that do not have complex curves or transitions between different finishes, this kind they do best. It’s clean, the edges are crisp, and the sunburst grain on top just screams 70s chic.
When the Grande came out, a 1000m depth rating was unheard of. Now, it’s far more obtainable. The Aquatico shares that same rating thanks to its screw-down crown, caseback, and multiple Viton and Tefzel gaskets. While you are cruising the ocean floor, you will be secure in the knowledge that your Super Marine is also protected by a 3mm sapphire crystal. It also sports a helium release valve because why the hell not? Nothing exceeds like excess.
That mighty bezel exhibits good action through its 120-click, unidirectional rotation. It stays secure in its detents, although it does betray the occasional rattle when tapped. The insert looks very much like the Omega’s and has the added benefit of being ceramic, engraved, and lumed.
Similarly, the dial also possesses a layout like the Grande’s, but it is not a copy. It is a sandwich dial with a potent layer of lume under those cut-away hour markers and rather pleasant gradient effect; however, the handset is straight from the 70s with its ploprof minute and paddle second hands. It would have been nice to see some more attention paid to the date window frame, but that is about all I can fault.
Lume is excellent. Just … pow!
On the bottom, you’ll find a solid case back decorated with a fairly light engraving of a diving helmet. It’s fine, but neither the image nor the execution leave much of an impression. Inside, is a top-grade HKPC PT5000 automatic movement, which is Chinese-made ETA 2824 clone (25 jewels, 38hr power reserve, 28.8k bph). I haven’t much experience with these, but the 2824 is a solid design. If the blueprint was followed and proper quality control and assembly practices observed, it should be a robust, reliable unit. For an extra $200, you can opt for a Sellita SW200 instead.
Aquatico provides a 22mm rubber strap in an Isofrane-y ladder style with a signed buckle. It is perfectly suitable in both style and utility, but can you imagine this brute on a heavy shark mesh bracelet? That would be perfection. Aquatico does not offer this option but there are plenty of other sources out there.
The Aquatico Super Marine is available in black fade and full-lume dials in addition to the blue one featured here. You can also get it with a left hand crown. That $459/$659 price drops by 30% during the Aquatico Black Friday sale, which has already started.
If you are down for some 70s scuba heavy metal, check them out soon. There aren’t many left in stock.
