The New 2012 JeanRichard Aquascope Collection – Time Keeping in the Ocean Depths for All

Written By: D Constant for The Watch Review Site

The Aquascope has a tradition of being a Divers Watch, this was first introduced to us in the 1960′s by JeanRicahard (then known as Daniel JeanRichard) and according to the watchmaker “water is their element, and the oceans their playground”.

As with previous JeanRichard Aquascope Dive Watch reincarnations, the new 2012 collection has been styled on and manufactured to give homage to first ever Aquascope manufactured by the company in the 1960’s, This 1960’s Aquascope established the defining characteristics of the model with its round rotating bezel superimposed upon a tonneau case.  We do see the continual use of two crowns as added in 2010 by JeanRichard on the Aquascope, with the second being at 9 o’clock and activates the bidirectional bezel.

The Aquascope has the classic rounded glass opening within its barrel shaped curves and the case created from a single piece of steel to provide rigidity and resistance capabilities necessary for a Diver’s Watch, This polished and satin finished case provides protection for the two symmetrical crowns with facets on each side to ensure the Aquascope’s maximum functionality and exceptional comfort for the user.

The key feature of  the JeanRichard Aquascope collection of watches is it’s bidirectional rotating bezel, which is designed to display the remaining diving time. I’m sure you agree, an important facet in a Diver’s Watch.

When looking at the Dial it is very clear and easily legible thanks to its large Arabic numerals, indicators and hands which have luminescent graduation, which gaurantees perfect legibility even in the deep blue sea, well upto 300m that is. We still haven’t told you about choice of dials, well the JeanRichard Aquascopes come in a choice of three dials two sunburst effect satin finished anti reflective dials in night blue or black or an opalin silvered surface dial.

It’s internals may also surprise a few as JeanRuchards have turned to the JR60 in house self winding movement and not the usual JR1000, the JR60 has 21 jewels and a power reserve of a minimum of 42 hours.

As I touched upon above the Aquascope can be relied upon to dive to 300m or 30bars and comes finished with a natural rubber strap in a selection of colours, these being black, night blue, red, green, orange or white.

The watch face, dial and strap even though are vividly different strike a fascinating and pleasant balance makeing the JeanRichards a lovely practical, diver’s watch steeped in JeanRichard’s tradition.

But thats not all The 2012 JeanRichards Aquasdcope Collection offers, yes we have more and this is for the Ladies out there, with very few exceptions, dive watches are geared towards and designed to appeal to the men of this world, with their strong, robust and rugged looks (that’s the Dive Watches, not the men that wear them). The JeanRichard Aquascope is one of these exceptions to the unwritten rule of watchmakers, Truth be said it is not only us guys how enjoy exploring the deep blue.

Yes, Yes, I know that the Ladies version of the JeanRichard Aquascope Divers Watch is in the same 44.5mm case and you are probably calling out its a man’s watch in drag, but you would be wrong…. JeanRichard have again made some distinct differentiation between the two pieces in styling and design, giving the Ladies Watch a very feminine feel. The key elements to the femininity of the Ladies Aquascope is the Glimmering Mother of Pearl dial (very feminine) along with the 8 diamond hour markers which add a je ne sais quoi to the timepiece.

The Ladies Dive Watch comes in three strap choices a white, grey or pink rubber strap, yes the rubber strap has been put on all the watches in the JeanRichard Aquascope collection, a good thing for divers as for the previous Aquascope’s to be fully functional as a proper dive watch as it was designed and used, it was preferred by divers to change the strap to a rubber one for longevity. 

Technical Details – JeanRichard Aquascope Dive Watch

Polished and satin-finished stainless steel case

Dimensions: 44.50 x 40 mm

Height: 11.85 mm

Anti reflective sapphire crystal

Case-back secured with 4 screws

Water-resistant to 300 m

2 screw-down crowns

Bidirectional rotating bezel – for dive timing

Movement JR60 Self-winding

Caliber: 11 ½’’’

Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/ hour (4 Hz)

Jewels: 21

Power reserve: min. 42 hours

Functions: hour, minute, second, date

Dial: Sunburst-effect satin finished in blue or black, or opalin silvered dial

Luminescent Arabic numerals and indexes, Luminescent hands

Strap: Black, white, red, green, orange or blue natural rubber strap

Stainless steel folding buckle

Technical Details – JeanRichard Aquascope Ladies Dive Watch (as above bar)

Dial: White mother-of-pearl dial

Arabic numerals and 8 diamond indexes, Luminescent hands

Strap: white, grey or pink natural rubber strap

Stainless steel folding buckle