The concept of “limited edition” that is nowadays so widespread, was first applied to the world of watch-making and it is one of the reasons why some timepieces appear to be more attractive than others. The current IWC Aquatimer collection has been one of the most successful since its very release at the end of the 60s, it is also one of the most complete collections ever crafted. The amount of innovations, the choice of models and materials that were introduced with this series can’t be beaten in the whole history of the collection itself and neither can the number of limited series dedicated to projects that have been promoted by the brand – like, for instance, the exclusive collaboration with the Charles Darwin Foundation aimed at protecting sharks, who are part of the marine fauna of the Galapagos Islands.

The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Sharks” is a limited series of 500 pieces that takes inspiration from the work of Michael Muller (a professional photographer). The timepiece is sold in a box that includes a copy of the book with the same name released in a limited edition and distributed by the publishing house TASCHEN. The book contains the pictures taken by Michael at a very close distance from different species of shark and using no protection cage. The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Sharks” is inspired by the more refined version of the Aquatimer chronograph (the perpetual calendar excluded); the timepiece that sports two totalizers and the in-house built caliber 89365 with the Flyback function and up to 68 hours of power reserve. Moreover, this is the first chronographer that is entirely made of stainless-steel that is equipped with this type of caliber, as the other two versions belonging to the same collection sport a bronze–made case and a stainless-steel-made case coated with rubber respectively.

The dial is crafted using two different hues of the colour gray, while the case-back features a drawing portraying a swarm of swimming hammer sharks. The diameter of the case measures 44mm and its thickness is 17mm; the maximum depth that this watch can withstand equals a pressure up to 30bar. If you are still looking for your Christmas gift, you should try to browse one of the brand’s Italian boutiques; Venice, Milan or Rome. These are the only places, where you could find a “Sharks” box, and if before heading there, you are curious to see what the effect of beholding the dial and the case-back at the same time is, take a good look at the image that you can find on top of this article.

(Photo credit: courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen)

Gaetano C @Horbiter®

@Gaetano Cimmino