What attracts you to buy a watch? The brand name? The company’s history? Price? When I was fairly new to watch collecting, what I looked for in particular was a company with a long running history. I also only looked at certain brands as my viewpoint was very narrow. As I delved deeper within the watch industry and community I discovered that my narrow vantage point was causing me to miss out on some pretty fantastic pieces. Some up and coming watch brand owners, watch enthusiasts befriended me and began my education on smaller, passionate brands. There is so much passion in some of these smaller brands that it is quite infectious. The more immersed I got, the more enthusiastic I became. Igniting a re-energized flame inside of me making me become much more excited about watches and much more excited to experience watches. And I haven’t looked back since…………….

Today, I will be looking at a watch from a passionate watch maker. The watch is the Aquator Corps. I discovered this watch on Instagram as I was scrolling along. You know that feeling when a minute of scrolling becomes a few hours, in what seems like a matter of moments. In the pictures that I saw on Instagram, it was the clean dial that immediately caught my attention The large yellow hour markers where very hard to ignore. I really liked was how the Corps did a different spin on the cardinal numeral layout. This was accomplished by including only the even numerals. It creates a new and unique balance to the traditional watch dial layout that I have become accustomed to. The color of the numerals does change depending on the lighting, sometimes they appear to be yellow, while other times they take on a more orange appearance.

The Corps dial includes a nice, detailed seconds/minute track that is reminiscent of the old military field watches. This design choice adds to the overall “old school” tool watch feel that encompasses the Corps. The sword style hands definitely completes that “old school” feel. The attention to detail on these hands is what impressed me the most. I prefer when each hand touches the markers that they indicate. For example the length of the hour hand allows it to touch the hour markers, and the length of the minute hand reaches the minute markers. Finishing off that consistency is the long second hand actually reaches the second markers. This really assists you when you need percission timing in the field. Whether your field is the office, or if your field is out in nature, the Corps will assist you well in those timing needs. This dial has everything I need, no more, no less. This holds true with the text as well, where all you will find is ‘Aquator’ located under the 12H marker . Simple and balanced with a lovely vintage feel, sums up this dial.

The 45mm case is also simple, yet full of that vintage charm. A combination of brushed and polished finish, though I would have preferred an all brushed or even a blasted finish. The  Corps features a fixed bezel which allows the dial to be the full focal point and less parts to damage when you are out in the field acquiring that ASA. The main star of case on the Corps has to be the engraved case back.

The case back was a surprise to me when I received the watch. I had no idea what the solid, screw down case back was going to look like. It also revieled to me some specs on the Corps that I was equally surprised by. It was the shockprotected and the antimagnetic features that in my opinion are perfect additions to a tool/field watch. I don’t baby watches by any means and the Corps exceeded my expectations on how it handled itself while I was hiking, trudging through waste deep mud and water or even when banging it against a cliff side I was climbing. It never faulted once. I did scratch the mineral crystal though 🤷🏻‍♂️

The short, curved lugs allow the Corps allows for some wrist hugging comfort. The Corps comes on a thick, padded, handmade leather strap. This strap has the look and feel of a high priced, well crafted custom strap. The kind of straps that I have come to love over my years as a watch collector and enthusiast. Vintage looking leather with small, white stitching, and finished off with a slight distressed finish. I love swapping out straps on all of my watches, but honestly I don’t think that I could change this strap, it completes the look of the Corps and stays true to that vintage feel. Those vintage vibes that encompasses this watch. To complete the look of this strap, it has a nice polished buckle signed with an engraved ‘Aquator’.

I am definitely a stickler when it comes to the function end of the details on a watch. Thankfully the few details on the Corps function as one would expect. The screw down crown functions well in terms of screwing/unscrewing and when setting the time. Now this is the only area of the Corps that my suggestions come into play to improve upon the design. I would have really liked to see an over-sized crown for easier operation in the field. I also would have liked to see the crown signed with the same logo that is engraved on the case back. In my opinion that would have really finished the case brilliantly.

Ticking away inside the Aquator Corps is the swiss ETA 2836-2 workhorse and highly reliable movement. We all know this movement so I don’t need to bore you with what you already know. I will say though that this movement in the review piece times in at +7 seconds per day.

The Aquator Corps is a well made watch that will surely handle any adventure. It handled everything that I dished out at it. When I was climbing, I banged the mineral crystal pretty hard against a rock, I thought for sure when I turned my wrist over that it was going to be chipped or shattered, but much to my surprise it had a very small scratch on it after I wiped off the dust from the rock. The Corps is a nice interpretation of a classic field watch. It comes in at $599 which you do get a lot of nice specs for your money. I know some people will have a problem with the choice of the hardened mineral crystal as apposed to sapphire crystal or plexi, which I would have liked more instead of the mineral crystal.

When I saw the dial for the first time at night, I was truly wowed. I didn’t expect everything that is printed on the dial, to be treated with a coating of lume. The lume glows a lovely shade of green. I would definitely recommend the Corps to anyone looking for a nice, hand assembled field watch. You definitely won’t find another one like it on someone else’s wrist. The Corps gives you that reassurance that you are wearing a watch that will handle everything your day will dish out!

I want to personally thank Aquator. I also would like to thank you all for reading. As always, I welcome your questions and comments below.