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Thread: Aquastar rises again.

  1. #1
    Master earlofsodbury's Avatar
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    Aquastar rises again.

    After forty years moribund, Synchron - makers of Isofrane and Tropic straps and erstwhile owners of Cyma, Doxa, & Ernest Borel - have relaunched the Aquastar brand with a remake of their most sought-after vintage piece: the Deepstar diver's chronograph, and I have to say it's a handsome and unusual thing:







    Something a little different in the vintage-style chrono line is always welcome, and it comes replete with a custom La Joux-Perret column-wheel movement, so it's bang-on the zeitgeist, for better or worse.

    The claimed 20ATM / 200m WR is interesting given the lack of screw-down pushers, but I love the emphatic and dive-friendly 30-minute subdial, and the decompression time bezel is great. Vintage examples seem to start at ~£5K and spiral north of £10K, so the pre-release $2790 (~£2200) seems sane.

  2. #2
    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    Yes, I got an email as well. I'm safe to say that I could happily live wearing one of these. Great looking watches.

    Menno

  3. #3
    Master ed335d's Avatar
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    I could also happily live with one of these.

    Hard to tell whether it's going to be liable for import tax/duty.

  4. #4
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    The original is a good looking watch. This captures all the character of the original but it’s wearable every day. I like it.

  5. #5
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    Do you mean whether it'll be available in the EU? Remember we're only a matter of weeks away from import tax and customs handling charges on EU imports.

    Quote Originally Posted by ed335d View Post
    I could also happily live with one of these.

    Hard to tell whether it's going to be liable for import tax/duty.

  6. #6
    Master ed335d's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    Do you mean whether it'll be available in the EU? Remember we're only a matter of weeks away from import tax and customs handling charges on EU imports.
    I was thinking specifically whether this would ship from Switzerland or somewhere else in Europe; hadn't really considered that we were that close to being liable for charges on anything coming from Europe!

  7. #7
    Grand Master Chris_in_the_UK's Avatar
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    I really like this!.
    When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........

  8. #8
    Grand Master Carlton-Browne's Avatar
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    That is a good looking thing. Somebody on MWR has one and I recently decided to research how easy it might be to pick up on Ebay - needless to say I don't think I'll be getting an original.
    In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.

  9. #9
    I really like those.
    They look like they'll have quite a lengthy lug-to-lug span, and also look quite flat though - is that just the photos suggesting it, or is that how they've tended to be in the flesh in the past?

  10. #10
    What a classy watch!
    These are going to sell like hot cakes.
    300 per color.

  11. #11
    Master Tetlee's Avatar
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    Love 'em, brilliant!

  12. #12
    Reserved. This is a no brainer.

  13. #13
    Master ed335d's Avatar
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    I just gone through to checkout, $558 is added when you select UK as a shipping address.

    So $3358

  14. #14
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    Wow. What's that for? Customs and handling will be due on arrival in the UK.

    Quote Originally Posted by ed335d View Post
    I just gone through to checkout, $558 is added when you select UK as a shipping address.

    So $3358

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by ed335d View Post
    I just gone through to checkout, $558 is added when you select UK as a shipping address.

    So $3358
    But it won’t be due now.
    They are only taking $790 deposit but surely with duties/VAT, the eventual cost will be what you mentioned. For UK.

  16. #16
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    Column wheel chrono, fantastic styling and 40.5mm. What's not to like? I'd have to be very sure it's a keeper though as depreciation will be a total unknown.

  17. #17
    Grand Master ryanb741's Avatar
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    Wow. What a beautiful watch. Thanks for sharing OP

  18. #18
    Master Alansmithee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ed335d View Post
    I just gone through to checkout, $558 is added when you select UK as a shipping address.

    So $3358
    Sound about right 20% VAT and I think a watch of that value would attract about 5% in duty?

  19. #19
    Master gerard's Avatar
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    Prices exclude VAT for UK or Europe. Hence why priced in US $ ...really aimed at US market. It is the same with any of their brands (Doxa is not one of them). So always price seen plus VAT.

    Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

  20. #20
    Grand Master Onelasttime's Avatar
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    Lovely looking thing.

    I can't justify that outlay at the moment, but if it's coming from Swiss land and you've already paid the 20% VAT, there shouldn't be any further duty should there?

  21. #21
    Master gerard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Onelasttime View Post
    Lovely looking thing.

    I can't justify that outlay at the moment, but if it's coming from Swiss land and you've already paid the 20% VAT, there shouldn't be any further duty should there?
    Price is ( at pre order discount) $2,790.00 ex Vat so add 20% = $3,378.00 or about £2,6500 incl VAT.
    Duty technically is payable if outside EU, but as Switzerland is signed up to EU treaty as non member ( like the UK hope to be) there is no duty, Iceland is the same.

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    Last edited by gerard; 9th October 2020 at 22:02.

  22. #22
    Master earlofsodbury's Avatar
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    Looking at pricing, the company is actually registered in Austria, so if they ship from there - and do so before our EU membership finally lapses - then it should just be VAT at 20% to find.

    I am actively having to stop myself ordering one - too much of my collection comprises pieces like this that are (to my eye) gorgeous, but which I'm afraid to wear for fear of damaging them: perfection paralysis...

  23. #23
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    Do you mean whether it'll be available in the EU? Remember we're only a matter of weeks away from import tax and customs handling charges on EU imports.
    Normally you'd be charged VAT at the exporting country's rate within the EU. If we assume there is 'no deal' and the watch is being exported to a non EU country (UK), would it not be the case that VAT is removed from the list price when the watch is exported and then UK duties applied upon entry to the UK? The net cost will still be broadly similar if it was purchased as a member of the EU.

  24. #24
    If it was the vintage size I would have been all over it without question, this modern size is not for me , lug to lug is too long and 22mm strap is just not vintage enough give me 20mm everyday
    I wonder if the larger size is to accommodate the movement?
    The original Deepstar had a Valjoux 23 is there a modern equivalent in size?
    On this picture next to the Speedmaster you can see just how long the lugs are
    Beautiful watch but didn’t need size boosting in my opinion
    Last edited by Balance wheel; 11th October 2020 at 08:00.

  25. #25
    I think that's gorgeous - the grey in particular. Slap it on a NATO, and it would look the mutt's.

  26. #26
    Craftsman Go Big's Avatar
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    I too think it's fabulous, and my finger is hovering over the buy button! But what colour?

  27. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by Go Big View Post
    I too think it's fabulous, and my finger is hovering over the buy button! But what colour?
    Oh, grey for sure!

  28. #28
    Master sweets's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Qatar-wol View Post
    Oh, grey for sure!
    Agreed on that, it is closest to the original and more unique that the other colours.
    I am a big fan of this re-issue. They have made it a sensible size, kept the right bits of the specification, and from the photos have made a very tidy job of it.
    Good luck to them.
    You might argue that it is a bit pricey for the first effort of a re-born brand, but it isn't rudely expensive.
    Dave

  29. #29
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    That is a lovely watch, time to look into a brand I know very little about!


    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  30. #30
    Master
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    Has anyone picked one of these up? I've been offered a blue version and it's the first watch in a long time that I've really lusted after. Would be great to see some pictures and hear some opinions.

  31. #31
    Quote Originally Posted by MrBanks View Post
    Has anyone picked one of these up? I've been offered a blue version and it's the first watch in a long time that I've really lusted after. Would be great to see some pictures and hear some opinions.
    I don’t think they have started delivery.
    I was told beginning of December.

  32. #32
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by RAJEN View Post
    I don’t think they have started delivery.
    I was told beginning of December.
    There have been quite a few posts of delivered watches on Facebook.

  33. #33
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by RAJEN View Post
    I don’t think they have started delivery.
    I was told beginning of December.
    The first batch has been released and delivered. The buyer is in Germany.

  34. #34
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    It is a lovely looking watch in blue.

    I'm going to keep my eyes open for a used one, it's a bit dear for me at the moment, otherwise I think I would have bought one.

    M

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    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

  35. #35
    Quote Originally Posted by MrBanks View Post
    The first batch has been released and delivered. The buyer is in Germany.
    Dang. They disappointed me. Mine won’t be shipped before beginning of December.

  36. #36
    Looks like they were pulling my leg. It is already on its way👍

  37. #37
    Master Tazmo61's Avatar
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    A lovely looking watch , but over my budget unfortunately .

  38. #38
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by RAJEN View Post
    Looks like they were pulling my leg. It is already on its way
    Did you pay in dollars and aside from the $10 shipping fee are there any other costs incurred? I am not going ahead with the deal now from the seller in Germany as he wants payment in Euros, which makes no sense when you can buy brand new in dollars.

  39. #39
    Quote Originally Posted by MrBanks View Post
    Did you pay in dollars and aside from the $10 shipping fee are there any other costs incurred? I am not going ahead with the deal now from the seller in Germany as he wants payment in Euros, which makes no sense when you can buy brand new in dollars.
    In Dollars.
    They are in Austria I think.

  40. #40
    Master earlofsodbury's Avatar
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    They've started up an "official forum" on WUS, and there's a few worthwhile owner pics up - looks even better in the metal. I suspct the lugs are going to upset the sparrow-wrist fraternity in much the same way the Ollech & Wajs relaunch models did.

  41. #41
    Quote Originally Posted by earlofsodbury View Post
    They've started up an "official forum" on WUS, and there's a few worthwhile owner pics up - looks even better in the metal. I suspct the lugs are going to upset the sparrow-wrist fraternity in much the same way the Ollech & Wajs relaunch models did.
    Two tiny images here, and it looks thicker and less delicate from the side...


  42. #42
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    ^^^^

    That looks a bit hefty for a vintage style watch!
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

  43. #43
    It IS mm tall. I guess the difference between a hand wind and an automatic.
    Nivada Grenchen reissue coming out in Dec is smaller but thicker.
    Last edited by RAJEN; 31st October 2020 at 14:44.

  44. #44
    Too rich for my wallet but seeing it from the side I'm less disappointed now. Love the look of it face on.

  45. #45
    It's a beautiful watch but that side shot kills it. Just look's overly chunky.

    Sent from my SM-N960F using TZ-UK mobile app

  46. #46
    Master
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    Yep, really spoils the vintage vibe.

  47. #47
    Master
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    The movement is nearly 8mm thick so it's going to be a fairly hefty piece. Even more so with the rotating bezel.
    I have first hand experience with this movement though from a technical perspective and it's exceptional at this price point.

  48. #48
    Craftsman TH14TH14's Avatar
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    I noticed there's now a green dialled version available for pre-order:



    I do like the look of the watch but I'm a bit concerned about the height and long lug to lug length. Can any owners comment on how they find the dimensions? Any wrist shots on a smaller wrist would be really appreciated.

  49. #49
    Journeyman
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    This is nice.

    Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk

  50. #50
    Craftsman pepere13's Avatar
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    This thread lacks of pictures







    Comparaison shot, the 666 and the SeaWolf are 36mm, CWC is 42x46




    I hope a BOR bracelet will be available soon to compliment the watch according to my tastes
    Last edited by pepere13; 3rd March 2021 at 10:32.

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