The ArtyA AquaSaphir is the primary aquatic watch with a case manufactured from sapphire crystal

Dániel Dobai

Sapphire is among the most unique supplies for a watch case today. Infamous for being extremely onerous to work with, the fabric has but to seem in additional inexpensive fashions; nevertheless, ArtyA is heading in the right direction with their new sporty summer season launch, the AquaSaphir.

ArtyA is a small impartial model from Switzerland, based not so way back. Kickstarting a model from scratch is a hell of a problem, however when an business veteran is on the helm, the trip will get smoother. Yvan Arpa has labored with manufacturers like Hublot, Jacob & Co., and Baume & Mercier, amongst others, which explains his ardour for particular supplies. Proper now, Hublot appears to be the chief on that entrance. Many occasions, nice designs come from professionals who’ve seen all of it from huge manufacturers and resolve to carve their very own path.

Aside from the clear case, what makes the ArtyA AquaSaphir particular is its water resistance. It’s not a diver per se; of their phrases, it’s the first “aquatic” watch with a case manufactured from sapphire crystal that’s rated to a depth of 60 metres. You wouldn’t need to go on the lookout for coral reefs sporting this watch, however you’ll be able to take it to the seaside, no downside. Sapphire is kind of a inflexible materials; actually, it’s the hardest mineral after diamond and moissanite, which makes for sensible scratch resistance. Alternatively, this firmness makes it tough to work with. It’s tougher so as to add the mandatory gaskets, which maintain the water out, to a case manufactured from sapphire. Even simply a few years in the past, 30 metres of water resistance was the norm for sapphire watches. Sixty metres of water resistance won’t appear that spectacular; nevertheless, within the context of this materials, it’s a main technical achievement.

You gained’t discover any steel within the 41mm case. It’s fully clear, with no screws in any respect; even the crown is carved out of sapphire. The general design is a well-recognized diver watch type, with lengthy lugs and stubby crown guards. Some compromises needed to be made with the bezel as it’s mounted in place. You possibly can both have it clear, just like the case, or with a watery cyan tint. For those who go for the cyan model, a meteorite dial might be chosen as a substitute of the enamel gradient one. On the dial, you will see a mix of rectangular and triangular shapes for the indices, all handled with SuperLumi-Nova. At three o’clock is a straightforward date window, whereas at twelve, the ArtyA brand completes the look.

Seen by the clear case again is the ArtyOn 3-hand automated motion. It’s an unique Swiss-made caliber that runs at 4 Hz and has 42 hours of energy reserve. It’s full with a rose gold rotor and NAC-coated Côte de Genève bridges.

The ArtyA AquaSaphir pricing and availability

Out there on each white and cyan rubber straps, the ArtyA AquaSaphir Cyan NanoSaphir™ bezel fashions with the meteorite or enamel dial retail for CHF39,900. The easier fashions with a clear bezel retail for CHF29,900.