Hanhart, the renowned watchmaker traditionally known for its pilot’s watches and motorsport chronographs, is stepping into new territory with the launch of the Aquasphere FreeFall Blue. This marks the brand’s first-ever foray into dive watches, and it’s clear that Hanhart intends to make a splash in this highly competitive market. Drawing inspiration from the Primus Diver while introducing cutting-edge technical features, the Aquasphere FreeFall Blue is set to establish Hanhart as a serious contender in the realm of professional dive watches.
A Dive into Functionality and Precision
At its core, the Aquasphere FreeFall Blue is a high-performance tool designed to meet the demands of professional divers. Its 42mm stainless steel case, combined with a fluted blue bezel featuring a ceramic inlay, gives it both ruggedness and visual appeal. The bezel can only be rotated anti-clockwise, a vital safety feature to prevent accidental adjustments that could miscalculate dive times. The 60-click mechanism ensures precise and reliable handling underwater.
With water resistance up to 30 bar (300 meters), the watch is more than capable of withstanding the pressures of deep-sea exploration. It also features a helium valve, a critical component for saturation divers who experience significant pressure changes during decompression phases. The screw-down crown and sapphire crystal, which is convex and internally anti-reflective, further reinforce the robustness of this dive-ready timepiece.
Performance-Tested by Freediving Champion Fabio Tunno
Hanhart entrusted the prototype of the Aquasphere FreeFall Blue to Fabio Tunno, Germany’s deepest freediver, to test the watch’s capabilities. Over several months, the watch accompanied Tunno through numerous dives, including those at Germany’s lakes, Egypt’s Blue Hole, and the Freediving World Championships in Corsica. Remarkably, the Aquasphere FreeFall Blue performed flawlessly, even during dives reaching a depth of 110 meters. According to Tunno, “The Aquasphere has supported me perfectly as a coach and athlete at competitions this year. Whether diving on picturesque reefs or in local lakes, I can simply read my dive times clearly.“
Design: A Tribute to Precision and Maritime Heritage
The watch’s design incorporates modern and functional elements inspired by Hanhart’s aviation and motorsport collections, notably the PRIMUS Diver. The iconic fluted bezel of the Primus has been technically refined for the Aquasphere, with softer radii and optimized click mechanisms for greater ease of use.
The back of the watch is adorned with a stylish embossing of an underwater world, reflecting its connection to the ocean. The screw-down case back features both matte and polished surfaces, further emphasizing its aesthetic link to maritime themes.
The watch also prioritizes clarity and ease of use underwater. The hands, numerals, and markers, as well as the triangle and numerals on the ceramic bezel, are coated with Super-LumiNova® C1, ensuring excellent legibility in low-light environments. The hour hand is further distinguished by a bar to avoid confusion with the minute hand, while the second hand’s red tip enhances legibility.
Straps and Versatility
Hanhart offers two strap options for the Aquasphere FreeFall Blue: the lightweight and adjustable Hook Strap textile strap, and a stainless steel bracelet equipped with a folding clasp, diving extension, and fine adjustment feature. The steel bracelet offers a more robust feel and easier maintenance, while the Hook Strap™ emphasizes comfort and flexibility.
Technical Specifications
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Height: 12.95 mm
- Lug to Lug: 49 mm
- Case Material: Brushed/polished stainless steel
- Bezel: Fluted, blue bezel with ceramic inlay, 60 clicks, anti-clockwise rotation
- Crown: Screw-down crown with modern Hanhart logo
- Water Resistance: Up to 30 bar (300 meters)
- Movement: Automatic, Sellita SW200-1 base
- Frequency: 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
- Power Reserve: Minimum 38 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Crystal: Convex sapphire with internal anti-reflective coating
- Lume: Super-LumiNova C1 on hands, numerals, markers, and bezel
- Straps: Hook Strap textile or stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp and diving extension
- Price: €1,390 (Hook Strap™), €1,590 (steel bracelet)
Conclusion
The Hanhart Aquasphere FreeFall Blue is not just a functional dive watch, but a testament to the brand’s commitment to precision, readability, and durability. Designed to withstand extreme conditions and tested by one of the world’s top freedivers, this timepiece is an exciting addition to Hanhart’s portfolio. Whether you’re a professional diver or an enthusiast, the Aquasphere FreeFall Blue brings both technical excellence and sleek design to your wrist.
For more information, visit Hanhart.com.
