Clerc Hydroscaph H1 is the first three-hand version created from Hydroscaph dive watch collection. This watch is offered in a whole range of color styles,it had a deep metallic blue dial accented with a lime green hand.

The funnest features of the Hydroscaph case is the locking rotating bezel system with fold-out key. When the key is folded down, the bezel is locked from rotating. When opened up, the bezel can turn either by twisting it or by turning the little key. On a daily basis it is more fun than useful, but wearing this watch I find myself surprised at how often I play with the bezel. For people like me it is a good idea to have things I can fidget with to release idle tension. Fun fact: with some people, fiddling with something in their hands frees up parts of their brain to do deep thinking, and thus leads to more productive cognition. So bring on more watches with little moving and clicking parts to play with.

On the comfort side, the Hydroscaph case has slightly articulating lug structures. They move a bit with the strap and act to mold to your wrist. Despite a tall profile and relatively large stature, I have to say that the Clerc Hydroscaph is a damn comfortable, albeit large watch. Anyone who is finicky with how their watches wear, should certainly check one of these out.

Produced here in steel, the Hydroscaph H1 case also has a range of fine details. From the multi-part crown to the nicely engraved and printed bezel, this is a cool case that is aging well. I keep saying that it is aging, which is true, but at the same time I am secretly waiting for Clerc to update the case and offer a brand new Hydroscaph. No matter how classic or good a design is, it can always get better. So with Clerc’s talent I am sure that anything they decide to improve on will be exciting if and when the Hydroscaph case gets a facelift.

Nevertheless, the HydroscaphH1 is still undeniably cool, modern, durable, and again comfortable. So it isn’t as though I am waiting for Clerc to actually fix any problems. But you know, when it comes to wild watches we always want more right? There is one issue I do have though. Clerc uses the same Hydroscaph case for the H1 as it does for its chronograph and other models, such as the GMT. For those other models I get why the case is on the thicker side – given the size of the movement. While it would have cost a lot of R&D money and perhaps have changed the water resistance, would it perhaps have been a good idea to produce a thinner version of the Hydroscaph for this three-hand version? A slimmer three-hand dive watch would be very much appreciated – especially with these cool looks.

Having said all that, the Hydroscaph H1 makes a business case for itself just in its appearance. While there is inherently nothing novel added to the Hydroscaph family with the H1, it just looks good enough to eat. Especially when checking out some of those other color options. The black and red H1 is one handsome devil. What Clerc got very right with this watch is in executing what most people want in a watch dial .What do they want you ask? In short, people are looking for watches with easy to see hour markers, properly sized hands that reach out to the end of a dial, no unnecessary reflections that cause distortion or blur, high contrast colors between the markers and the face, and that special mix of visual design and utility that is equally functional and attractive. This watch has pretty much all of that. The large applied hour markers have flat polished surfaces that offer the right type of reflection, and colors that help key elements stand out properly. The dial also looks crisp and technical alluding to both performance and high-design.

It is really the little things on the dial that make it look interesting. You see a bit of the Clerc DNA in the expanding triangle that goes from where the hands intersect to the open date window. In fact, it is even done in a way where the open date window doesn’t really bother me. The dial doesn’t even try to suggest that it is a functional element – and is clear that it is purely for decorative fun.Inside the Hydroscaph H1 is a Swiss automatic COSC Chronometer movement which is probably a base ETA 2892. Clerc calls it their caliber C609 movement. On the back of the watch you can see the movement through two smaller sapphire crystal caseback windows. I’ve always felt that the caseback on Hydroscaph models was done particularly well with a nice attention to detail and design.

Overall simple and satisfying, the H1 is probably a great watch for those who’ve owned a few of the classic dive watches out there and are ready for something a bit more unique and modern.

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