IWC has released a special edition Aquatimer for the model’s 50th anniversary, with a black Ceratanium case

Since the Aquatimer launched in 1967, the quintessential dive watch from IWC has gone through several makeovers. The most recent revamps were in 2009 and 2014, but several limited editions have also been released since then.
Now, to celebrate the Aquatimer’s 50th anniversary this year, IWC has released a special edition of the dive watch: a 49mm perpetual calendar in a novel case made of a material named ?Ceratanium?.

With a matte black finish, it closely resembles ceramic. It is in fact a blend of ceramic and titanium, and IWC claims that it draws on the best qualities of each: as light and durable as titanium, and as scratch-proof as ceramic. It?s been five years in the making, the result of IWC?s interest in developing a titanium alloy composite.

?Since we already had a pioneering role in the use of titanium and ceramic in the 1980s, we are now once again highlighting our expert­ise with materials by employing Ceratanium,? explains IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr.
The Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month
The dial is black with white and red accents. To match its inky exterior, certain parts of the in-house calibre 89802, like the rotor, have also been coated in black.

The tool watch feel stems from both the Ceratanium and the dial – the two sub-dials showing digital date and month are perforated, allowing the wearer a view of th...