Blink And You'll Miss It: Isotope Launches a New Hydrium X Limited Edition

While a relatively small group of brands dominate the headlines, watch connoisseurs know to dig deeper. It is there that a wealth of smaller brands can be found that make exciting watches. Among them are José and Joana Miranda, the duo originally from Portugal but now calling England their home, and It was there that they founded their brand Isotope. I still remember meeting José many years ago in a London BBQ place to see his very first watch, he hasn't sat still since and has subsequently built up Isotope as a notable boutique brand.

Isotope's collection has grown extensively and includes not only a very interesting GMT watch, but also quite a few diving watches; among them is the Hydrium X. Isotope launched this model as the Hydrium™ X "Will Return" limited edition. That original timepiece was inspired by the sign shopkeepers used to hang in their window when they had to go out. The latest limited edition in the Hydrium X collection has a different approach, as it combines two colors that are traditionally used to designate each sex; blue and pink. As a result, you get what Isotope likes to call 'Blink.'

Using both colors in a single watch is quite revolutionary, in particular for something that is a very serious diving watch with a water-resistance of 1000ft (or 300m). The Hydrium X comes with a 40mm micro-blasted 316L stainless steel case, a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, and a screw-down crown flanked by subtle shoulders. Its Swiss-made Landeron movement has a finish a watch connoisseur will appreciate with blued screws, many engine turned parts, and Geneva stripping on the oscillating weight. It can be admired through the screw-down exhibition caseback. The design of the Hydrium X is quite compact, and the well-designed lugs are relatively short, making it comfortable to wear regardless of the size of your wrist.

Based on its size, the Hydrium X becomes one of those diving watches that can easily be worn by anybody, further making its color combination all the more appropriate. The salmon pink dial has a slight metallic quality to it that makes the Arabic numerals look even bolder. Its shade shifts according to the light conditions, which makes the watch feel almost alive. The blue details on the dial match perfectly with the unidirectional sapphire bezel and the comfortable strap.

Isotope pays extraordinary care to details, and likes to play with them to elevate the overall look and wearing comfort of the watch. This becomes not only clear when you look at the Hydrium X Blink from its side but also in the dark. Only the outline of the uniquely shaped hands has a coating of Super-LumiNova. In low light conditions, this makes it easy to tell the time and offers something different than most watches. Great functionality with a pleasant twist has become a hallmark for Isotope, and they confirm this again with the Hydrium X Blink.

The Isotope Hydrium X is limited to 100 pieces, with each model priced at £740 (about $890 when converted to USD).

To learn more, visit Isotope, here