With its Hydrium collection, Isotope has achieved something that it can be particularly proud of ? especially as a small brand ? it has created a new flavor of diving watches. With its robust yet compact case, prominent bezel, cleverly tucked-in crown, short lugs, and smooth case sides, the Hydrium differs from all those other diving watches.

As this is still one of the most crowded categories in the industry, that is quite an accomplishment. The clever design allowed the brand to build a collection that offers the Hydrium in a surprising array of flavors, from a collaboration with NASA to a fun homage to the Exit sign in buildings. With the new Hydrium California, it explores yet another side of its universe and dives into history.
This watch is an ode to the so-called California dial, which combines Arabic with Roman numerals. Initially, this type of dial was called a ‘no-error’ dial, as it made it easier for divers to read the correct time under harsh conditions, as numerals couldn’t be swapped. Rolex patented this design on July 15, 1942, but it also became a hallmark feature on some of Panerai’s early models. These timepieces were tool watches in their purest form, and few were made. When the renaissance of mechanical watchmaking took off in the 1980s, watches with these rare dials were in great demand, leaving some shady dealers to have dials redone to meet demand. Apparently, the best in the business for doing this work was located ...