One of the more unusual new dive watches presented at this year’s Baselworld was Edox’s re-interpreted Hydro Sub. It is unusual mostly because of its movable, orange crown protector, which brings a very distinctive look to an otherwise very close remake of an Edox watch from 1965, but also because it will be the official timekeeper of an expedition by free diver Christian Redl to the geographic North Pole in February 2015. Redl will attempt the first-ever free dive under the North Pole’s thick ice cap.
And yes, the minute hand could have been more distinctive for an instrument intended for diving, but it would be a shame to abandon that wonderful look of a watch that might very well have been designed 50 years ago. Also, it usually would have been sufficient to use only the “1640 ft/500 Meters” text, instead of adding “High Pressure Resistant,” on the blue dial. But that is somehow outweighed by the fact that the Hydro Sub is not only a dive watch that stands out from the crowd but also offers quite a bit of “wrist presence.” And we certainly would not have minded a chance to play a bit more with the smooth-sliding Master Lock. The most important facts: the 49-mm (46-mm without the cover) Edox Hydro Sub (Ref. 80201) is limited to only 350 pieces worldwide and powered by an ETA 2824 with COSC chronometer certification; the rotor and caseback are specially engraved to mark the upcoming North Pole mission. A second inner case should offer a certain level of protection against magnetic fields, and the folding clasp features a short, integrated extension for wetsuits.
The Hydro Sub comes on a beautiful stainless steel bracelet and an additional water-resistant, orange leather strap (including the required changing tool and a set of spare spring bars).
For more images of the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole limited edition, click here.
