Aquastar’s Benthos 500 holds an important spot in dive watch history. First unveiled in 1970, it stood out from the crowd with its unique chronograph-like functionality and slow-moving 60-minute elapsed-time counter. It was bold, unconventional, and ahead of its time—until the Quartz Crisis swept the industry off course. But what if quartz hadn’t disrupted the market so quickly? The new Aquastar Benthos H2 wonders just that, providing a design inspired by archival drawings from the late ’60s while moving it towards modern tastes and technologies.
Discovered within the Aquastar archives, these original sketches hinted at a helium release valve-equipped model that never saw the light of day-until now. The Benthos H2 takes that unrealized concept and brings it to life. With its instantly recognizable C-case design, twin controls, and external bezel, this watch isn’t just a nostalgic nod to the past; it’s also perfectly tailored for today’s dive watch enthusiasts.
While it’s greatly influenced by its predecessors, the Benthos H2 makes a few key changes to better suit modern tastes. Measuring 40mm wide, 44mm long, and a svelte 11.9mm thick, it’s a more compact cousin to the larger Benthos H1, which measured 42mm x 47mm x 16mm. The proportions of the H2, combined with its 904L stainless steel case, and 300m water resistance make for a versatile and wrist-friendly option for both divers and desk divers alike. The Benthos H2 remains true to its origins, yet comes with discreet modern touches. The black, semi-glossy dial features applied luminous indices paired with a sharp black-and-white angled chapter ring.
The rectangular hands, filled with “Old Radium” Super-LumiNova, provide vintage-inspired visibility, while the slim, stick-like orange seconds hand—a departure from the arrow-tipped designs of its siblings-adds a dash of subtle individuality. Externally, it retains the signature twin-crown layout, with a screw-down crown at 2 o’clock for time-setting and the lower crown serving as a screw-down helium release valve, a hallmark of the brand’s archival design vision. The 120-click unidirectional dive bezel completes the look of a tool watch, with a black ceramic insert that carries fully luminous markings for maximum legibility in low-light conditions.
Inside the Benthos H2 beats the dependable Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement. While unadorned, it’s a proven movement with a hacking function, no-date simplicity, a 38-hour power reserve, and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. On the back, you’ll find a solid stainless steel screw-in case back, engraved with the classic “Aquastar-Suisse” text and the brand’s iconic starfish logo.
The Benthos H2 is available with strap options that balance practicality with style. It’s fitted with either a classic Tropic or ISOfrane rubber strap, known for durability and comfort during underwater excursions. For an extra $100, you can upgrade to a stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet, adding some vintage flair to this modern diver.
There’s a delicate balance to be found between old charm and new functionality in the modern Aquastar Benthos line in general, but the H2 may be the most versatile of the bunch. It’s rugged enough for a weekend dive trip, yet refined enough to be a daily companion.
The Aquastar Benthos H2 is available now for pre-order with a production cap of 500 pieces. Pricing starts at $1,190 for models on either a Tropic or ISOfrane strap, with deliveries expected to begin in May 2025. At the close of the pre-order period, the price will increase to $1,490.
Rick Marei and the team at Aquastar do it again: a watch to bridge past and present in seamless style and capability. For the brand’s fans—or anyone in the market for a capable, thoughtfully designed diver—the Benthos H2 is worth one’s salt.
For more information, please visit the official Aquastar website.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.