Tag: clerc

On The Wrist Review: Clerc Hydroscaph

| June 28, 2011 | 5 Replies

Clerc Hyrdoscaph

Last year a fascinating and at times feisty exchange took place on this site regarding the role and professionalism of bloggers. This subject has reappeared on other forums since then, suggesting that we don’t do our research before we write. So, to counter that we’ve decided today to take an educated look at the Clerc Hydroscaph.

The Facts In Brief
Founded in 1874 and still owned by the Clerc family, the main product lines are the Odyssey and Hydroscaph watches. Both are unashamedly large, these are eye-catching time pieces, but I am going to discuss the Steel version of the Hydroscaph and what it is like to live with.

The Hydroscaph
The Hydroscaph is big; as you can see from the picture probably a bit too big for my scrawny wrists but it still fits very nicely. While the lugs aren’t articulated they do reach around the wrist making  the fit snug and and it hugs the wrist. As befits a true diver’s watch the strap is rubber, but in the two weeks I have been wearing the watch it has never once been sweaty or uncomfortable even in a Geneva summer. It has a nice quality feel and is wide and thick enough that it doesn’t look like it is going to perish or crack.

If you prefer it is available with a hornback crocodile strap which is very nice at a small extra cost, but seriously only buy it if you aren’t going diving.

The multi-part case is rated to a depth of 1000m and is constructed using a number of gaskets with all fittings being of the screw-in variety to maintain the seal. The main body has a brushed finish, but the crown is a mixture of both polished and brushed surfaces and this gives it a very superior look and feel. The bezel also rotates and rather than moving freely is altered with a fold out clasp at the 1 o’clock position.

The dial is time, date and GMT and Power Reserve; the first two of which are controlled via the stem while the GMT display at 12 o’clock is set by using the screw-down pusher located between 10 and 11 o’clock. This version came with the lime green hands which I have to say I prefer and are very much on trend. It is not overly done – some other models literally plaster the color all over – but just enough to accentuate the right bits. The dial is split horizontally, textured black to the top and white at the bottom, and whilst some may argue that this could slightly compromise readability I have to say I don’t care as I really like this design very much.

There is an issue that must be addressed with any steel watch – the weight. For the Hydroscaph I would say it is weighty rather than heavy, and although there is a titanium version if you prefer, when I’m buying a diver’s watch I want it to be solid, it has a job to do after all. I don’t think at any point I felt that it was too heavy and my daily watch is considerably lighter. Go with the steel.

I really enjoyed wearing this watch, it’s easy to wear, feels like it would last a lifetime and will not look out-dated in 5 years time. I don’t dive so I might be tempted by that fancy hornback crocodile strap for that extra bit of class but I think that would be my only request.

The Final Word
I am  extremely lucky I get to try out watches on a fairly regular basis but not for some considerable time has a watch provoked so many positive comments from colleagues and friends. This is a quality product, makes a very bold statement while having the cache of being uncommon and reasonably priced, a difficult trick to pull off. This watch would certainly make my Christmas wishlist.

To see more from Clerc please visit their official website: www.clercwatches.com

Wow Watch Wednesday: The Odyssey Lady Skeleton From Clerc

| February 10, 2010 | 3 Replies

Clerc Odyssey Lady Skeleton

This is our first lady’s watch to feature on Weird Watch Wednesday and taking a look at it, it’s not hard to see why! Entitled the ‘Odyssey Lady Skeleton’, this new piece will be presented by its maker, Clerc, at Baselworld this year. Although the Swiss watchmaker is well known for their futuristic designs and chunky cases, we think they may have taken it one (or several) steps too far this time.

Breaking Boundaries
It’s well known that many luxury watch makers have struggled to make feminine pieces which incorporate high-end functionality with attractive aesthetics. Often, they simply reproduce men’s watches in a smaller size and cover them with precious stones.

The Odyssey Lady Skeleton is no exception.

According to the brand they have “created a precedent and opened a new era by combining futuristic aesthetics and case construction in an haute joaillerie timepiece.” Certainly some barriers have been broken, but we think they relate more to bad taste than high horology.

Quite simply put, there is nothing remotely feminine about this piece except for possibly the 37mm size, which is still quite large for a lady’s watch. Even the 1.344 cts of Top Wesselton VVS diamonds are more bling than lady-like and the skeleton dial only serves to afford the wearer a look at the very gaudily decorated movement.

The case is a combination of 18k red gold and black titanium and comes on either a black satin or black leather strap.

The Final Word
Why is that true watch makers struggle so much to make attractive, feminine ladies watches that incorporate both aesthetic and technical complexity? Traditional jewellery brands such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels have certainly been able to achieve success in this area, so it is obviously possible.

Yet, when one sees pieces like this new “creation” from Clerc it really is hard not to be discouraged.

Clerc Hydroscaph GMT Diver – Diving Just Got A Whole Lot More Extreme!

| August 27, 2009 | Reply

Basel

There are divers watches and then there are DIVERS watches! The new Hydroscaph GMT Diver 1000m from Clerc is the kind of watch you would wear if you could go base jumping underwater. To say it is extreme is an understatement, this watch is 100% in your face and to be honest…I love it! The unsual lines and curves coupled with the stunning dial all come together to present a truly excellent example of advanced watch design.

Having said that, however, one of the things that really impresses me about this watch is that despite the fact it has been designed to stand out, Clerc has not sacrificed functionality for form. Thanks to a helium valve (pictured on the reverse side of the watch), which is adjusted by a rotating bezel and unique in its genre, this sumptuous timepiece is water-resistant to 1000 metres. It also features a power-reserve indicator and a world-first system for adjusting it to the wrist.

The specifications on this extreme piece are equally as impressive and further re-enforce the notion that this is no show pony:

Movement – Manufactory-made automatic, 28 jewels, 28,800 vib/h, chamfered, Côtes de Genève bridges and blued screws, 45-hour power reserve

Functions – Hours, minutes, seconds, date or large date, GMT 24-hour second time zone, power reserve indicator

Case – Grade 5 brushed titanium or 18 K pink gold and titanium, 44.6 mm, exclusive crown activating the rotating bezel, sliding device for protecting the push-pieces and crown, water-resistant to 1000 m

Dial – GMT at 12 o’clock, Disc power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, Date window at 3 o’clock

Bracelet/Strap – Rubber or titanium

I have never dived before in my life and until I layed eyes on the new Hydroscaph GMT Diver 1000m from Clerc, I never had a reason too. All of a sudden swimming with the sharks doesn’t seem so scary anymore!