The ocean has forever captivated my soul, making it intriguing that the IWC model tailored for aquatic adventures became my most recent acquisition.
It dawns on me that this delay might have been essential for discerning the perfect tool watch for my aquatic endeavours.
For more than three decades, I've been immersed in the world of bodyboarding — a realm of nature's raw beauty, boundless passion, and self-improvement. My journey is marked by unwavering dedication, not only to my own growth but also to the vast expanse of the ocean that holds my heart.
In this commitment lies a profound dedication — to myself, to the sea, to my loved ones, and above all, to the vast azure expanse that calls to me. The big blue is a place where I simultaneously lose and discover myself but also a place where the boundaries between dreams and nightmares can be shattered at any time.
It's within this timeless domain that I found myself drawn to the necessity of a timepiece. Amidst the ebb and flow of waves, where time seems to stand still, I realised the importance of keeping track — a symbol of grounding while floating on boundless expanse of the sea.
The sea awaits, it will always be there. The waves roll incessantly, the tides pulse in a perpetual sway, the currents bring back what they once took away and yet time will stop again every time I return to my liquid world.
Meanwhile, 'on land', time doesn't stop: life moves on, love consolidates, children grow, parents mature, friendships strengthen, projects move forward. Dreams made from the same foam as the waves sometimes come true, other times just fade away.
Despite the appeal of the ocean one must always come ashore.
To measure the duration of my surf sessions, I've used a wide variety of watches: Swatch, RipCurl Tidemaster (with analog indication of tides and moon phases), OmegaSeamaster and Planet Ocean, Rolex Submariner... regarding IWC, I've surfed with the Ingenieur and the GST Rattrapante! However, 'the' Aquatimer was missing – the IWC aquatic timer!
About 2 years ago, through a planetary alignment, I had the opportunity to acquire the GST Aquatimer 2000, ref. 3536, in titanium. This model was launched in 1998 as the diving version of the GST sports collection. It marked the return of the Aquatimer sign, used in the first IWC diving watches in the late sixties.
This specific model features a 42 mm titanium case, indicating hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The external diving scale has a pressure system to prevent unintentional displacement. The links of the integrated bracelet are based on a design reminiscent of Gerald Genta's Ingenieur. The rest of the specifications belong to the caliber with reference 37524, based on ETA 2892-A2, with automatic winding, a power reserve of 42 hours, and a frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour. The dial presents a high contrast between the black background and the white indexes in Superluminova, except for the 12 o'clock and the diving scale indicator, which are in Tritium.
My Aquatimer has a particularity that makes it unique connecting it in a very special way to the sea, the waves, and the depths: the dial shows a slight corrosion, manifested in numerous tiny points, evenly distributed, resembling the pigmentation of a Spotted Eagle Ray – Aetobatus Narinari. Another form of corrosion on the dial would disappoint me and make me want to get rid of the watch, but this condition, so curious, fascinates me!
Back to the sea, this tool watch feels like a fish in the water (pun intended): lightweight (thanks to the titanium), sturdy (due to its integrated bracelet), comfortable (due to the ergonomics of the 42mm diameter case), and its thickness doesn't compromise wearing it under a wetsuit. Like any respectable diving watch, the legibility is excellent, and the textured pyramid bezel edge provides perfect grip for handling in aquatic environments.
Moving into action, a surf watch is a partner in adventures, an extension of the body. Riding a wave is one of the moments of greatest harmony between man and nature, a combination of movement and strength, a dance between two elements, a fraction of pure energy. The fragility and finiteness of a human being facing the mighty sea.
Of all species, humans are the only ones who have the consciousness of the indescribable thrill of riding a wave! Surfing is like being carried in arms, gliding on liquid crystal, flying low to the taste of the sea breeze, being enveloped in blue, green and light... it's appreciating the sunset from the best seat in the house, watching seagulls glide over, diving and seeing the deep blue, streaked by bubbles... it's swimming close to schools of fish and dolphins... it's descending to rise and then to take flight!
The laws of Physics say that everything that goes up must come down, sunny and golden evenings are followed by rainy and grey mornings. The warmth of summer is succeeded by the icy cold of winter. And in the same way, a surf watch must be the yin and the yang, the beauty and the beast... an elegant Boesch and a sturdy navy vessel!
This is the essence of the Aquatimer spirit!... And wearing it out at sea is being connected to time on land and wearing it on land is carrying on the wrist all the emotions of the ocean...
I find myself walking towards the sea in introspective silence as the first rays of light paint the sky in soft shades of pastel.
The gentle passing wind lifts the waves and casts their foam in evanescent veils...
The mist slowly dissipates clearing the horizon as the wet, sand soaked in light, mirrors the sky...
My feet are touched by a blade of water, shivers runs through my body, my heart races!
With a leap I propel myself into the swell paddling fuelled by adrenaline.
Beyond the breaking zone, I sit on the board catching my breath, I roll up the neoprene sleeve and rotate the bezel of the Aquatimer, aligning the 12 o'clock marker with the hours hand. At the distance a brighter line advances towards me. I cover the watch again.
In my thoughts I kiss my wife and children, fill my chest with air as I feel the wave forming... I think to myself this is what I came here for, this is what I live for! And I start paddling with all my might!
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All pictures ©José Zenha
