60 Years Of Aquastar Airstar: A New Limited Edition Reimagines A Classic
The Aquastar Airstar Chronograph, first launched in 1964, celebrates its 60th anniversary with an exciting new limited edition. Originally designed as a versatile tool watch for both divers and pilots, the new Aquastar Airstar brings a modern, stealth-inspired design while staying true to its rich heritage. This special edition embraces an all-black aesthetic, replacing the original Tri-Compax dial with a streamlined Bi-Compax layout, giving the watch a sleeker and more minimalist appearance without sacrificing its functionality.
The new Aquastar Airstar comes housed in a stainless steel case coated with durable black DLC, offering a contemporary and rugged look. Measuring 39mm in diameter, 14.80mm in thickness, and 49mm in length, the watch maintains a bold yet comfortable presence on the wrist. The case features a matte finish, providing a striking contrast to the polished bezel, crown, and pushers. A unidirectional bezel, complete with a 60-minute scale and lume pip at 12 o’clock, enhances its practical functionality, while the domed sapphire crystal adds both durability and vintage charm. With a screw-down crown positioned at 3 o’clock, flanked by two dedicated pushers for the chronograph, the watch is water-resistant up to 200 meters, making it a robust option for both diving and daily wear.
The dial of the 60th Anniversary Aquastar Airstar continues the blacked-out theme, showcasing two horizontal registers—a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a running seconds subdial at 9 o’clock. An inner tachymeter bezel runs along the edge of the dial, with crisp white markings providing excellent legibility. The printed hour markers and syringe-style hands are filled with aged Super-LumiNova for easy readability in low-light conditions. Vintage details such as the “Aquastar Suisse” inscriptions at noon and “Airstar Automatic” at 6 o’clock offer a nod to the brand’s heritage.
At the heart of the new Aquastar Airstar is the Valjoux 7753 movement, a modern descendant of the legendary Valjoux 7750. Operating at 28,800 Vph and offering a power reserve of up to 48 hours..
The watch comes with a black Tropic rubber strap featuring a black steel pin buckle, adding to its stealthy look, and also includes a matching NATO strap for those who prefer a more casual option.
Limited to only 300 numbered units per year, the new Aquastar Airstar is priced at €1,758 during the pre-launch phase, with the price rising to €2,595 post-launch.
More information here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Aquastar
Model: Airstar Chronograph 60th Anniversary
Dial: Black
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Case Material: Stainless steel with a black DLC coating
Case Dimensions: 39 mm Diameter, 14.80 mm thickness, 49 mm lug-to-lug
Crystal: Sapphire
Case Back: Stainless steel
Strap: Black Tropic rubber strap with a steel DLC pin buckle and an additional NATO-type strap
Calibre: Valjoux 7753
Dimensions: 30 mm Diameter, 7.90 mm thickness
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)
Jewels: 27
Power Reserve: 48 Hours
Price: € 1,757.70 (pre-order price) / € 2,594.70 (retailer price)
Limited Edition: Yes, 300 pieces per year numbered
