Jan 2, 2015
Reading time 3 min.
Dive Watch Special: The Edox Hydro Sub "North Pole" Limited Edition
For fans of the dive watch, join us in taking a look at one of the more unusual new dive watches from Edox, the Edox Hydro Sub "North Pole" Limited Edition.
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.
Diveintowatches.com got an exclusive preview of one of the prototypes in Les Genevez, where the family-owned company is located and celebrating its 130th anniversary. What’s probably most fascinating about the Edox Hydro Sub is that, because it dares to be different, it immediately provokes a reaction to the classic ‘sink or swim’ question. Sure, the orange crown protector does solve a problem that probably did not need immediate solving (and might require an occasional rinse). But it does create a refreshingly different look and might even prove useful for the protection of the nicely executed asymmetrical case from occasional bumps. The watch's “Master Lock” is designed as an additional, rotating ring visible below the ratcheting bezel and adds some contrast to the matte blue inlay and dial. Neither the bezel marker nor the central seconds hand have luminous material applied. The watch is water-resistant to a depth of 500 meters, as it was its predecessor.
Edox Hydro Sub North Pole LE - front
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Edox Hydro Sub North Pole LE - Crown
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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.
Edox Hydro Sub North Pole LE - Dial
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Edox Hydro Sub North Pole LE - Back
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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.
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