CLERC Hydroscaph LE Central CHRONO

By TLex The CLERC Hydroscaph LE Central Chrono, was one of the new CLERC divers models that I was lucky enough to get my hands on at the Basel Watch fair in March of this year. Besides an unparalleled sophistication that sets CLERC Timepieces (in particular their divers models) apart from other high-end dive watches is the clever and seemingly effortless use of intense-detail. Tying in so much detail into a cohesiveness look, whilst maintaining the clean aesthetic required of a diving instrument is something that CLERC do so well, and in the case of Hydroscaph LE Central Chrono they have excelled themselves.

One of the things that immediately struck me about Hydroscaph LE Central Chrono was how utilitarian and diving instrument-like its design was. And the clever way in which its orange tuning-fork-type handset has been designed to give the feeling that they are interlocking parts is quite brilliant!



From CLERC Genève - The most spectacular means of measuring success - Two central hands providing an original short-time display mode: such is the exclusive solution showcased by Clerc Genève in the Hydroscaph Limited Edition Central Chronograph. The first central sweep seconds hand indicates the chronograph seconds, while its twin shows the minutes. This innovative display ensures exceptional readability for an instrument that tolerates no aesthetic or technical compromises. A prestigious timepiece designed for short-time measurements, the Hydroscaph Limited Edition Central Chronograph is the most spectacular means of celebrating success.

With the new Hydroscaph Limited Edition Central Chronograph, the prestigious Hydroscaph collection developed by Clerc Genève is welcoming a short-time measuring instrument packed with innovations. Entirely in line with the landmark technical timers representing successive breakthroughs in the history of timekeeping, the new Hydroscaph Limited Edition Central Chronograph brings to the wrist the precise handling and perfect readability of competition instruments. Its range of useful, reliable and practical functions will delight both speed lovers and diving enthusiasts.



The Hydroscaph Limited Edition Central Chronograph is innovative in more than one respect. First of all, its exclusive Clerc C608 self-winding movement features a central chronograph reading offering a technical and original display of short-time measurements. There are no off-centred, barely readable subdials, but instead a sweep-seconds hand twined with a running central hand indicating the minutes.

This original 60-minute display ensures exceptional legibility that is just as useful on land as in the darkness prevailing at great depths. This mechanical movement beating at a high frequency of 4 Hertz (28,800 vibrations per hour) also drives the hour and minute hands, small seconds at 3 o’clock, a date display at 6 o’clock and a 24-hour day/night indication at 9 o’clock – a refined touch that proves extremely practical when adjusting the date. This exclusive Clerc Calibre C608 is hand-assembled according to with the highest Swiss watchmaking standards.



Like a contemporary work of art, the Hydroscaph Limited Edition Central Chronograph stems from a refusal of any technical or aesthetic compromises. This approach is vividly embodied in the distinctive design of the chronograph pushbuttons at 2 and 4 o’clock, which are broad and hollowed on the inner face. Each reacts to pressure by pivoting around a lateral rod acting like a lever, much like a piano key. This highly refined and ergonomic structure offers excellent user friendliness that is conducive to the precision of the chronograph start, stop and reset functions. The redesigned rubber-moulded steel crown features an enhanced grip for even smoother handling.

Such a wealth of technical creativity is entirely in tune with the DNA of the Hydroscaph, the most spectacular of all diver’s watches. This instrument equipped with a powerful case – the most complex on the market – includes 103 parts, including lateral reinforcements guaranteeing water resistance to 500 metres, as well as the brand’s signature octagonal-shaped rotating bezel. The latter pivots thanks to a retractable flap on a dedicated crown integrated into the case middle at 10 o’clock. Returning the flap to its initial position securely locks the bezel, thus avoiding any risk of accidental deregulation while diving. The mobile lugs ensure a perfect fit on all wrist sizes and shapes, including over a diving suit.



The multi-level dial features an ultra-technical yet ultra-readable face. Each section of time read-off is perfectly delineated and visible even in the dark thanks to the Superluminova coating on the hands and hour-markers. The new Hydroscaph Limited Edition Central Chronograph is available in three finishes: high-density steel, black DLC (diamond-like carbon, an extremely hard and thermally stable coating) and 18K rose gold/black DLC steel). Each of the three versions, fitted with rubber or rubber-treated hornback leather straps secured by folding clasps, is issued in limited series of 500.



With its powerful aesthetic and innovative technology, the Hydroscaph Limited Edition Central Chronograph by Clerc Genève lays a new milestone in the history of short-time display, and is doubtless also the most spectacular and creative way of celebrating personal success.