By Adam Keith, Associate Timepiece Editor for ViaLuxe
One of the first non-official "endorsements" of IWC's revised 2009 Aquatimer Chronograph watch comes from the Hollywood film set of Valentine's Day 2. It was here that the 44mm diving timepiece with a self-winding chronograph and date indication was photographed in situ on the wrist of actor and IWC watch buff Eric Dane.
Eric Dane has established a reputation as a fan of IWC timepieces both on and off camera. In addition to models he maintains in his own collection, the actor is sometimes seen wearing IWC watches in character during episodes of the popular television show Grey's Anatomy, where he plays the role of plastic surgeon Mark Sloan.
For decades, the Aquatimer has represented IWC Schaffhausen's contribution to the genre of serious dive instruments. The new model which Mr. Dane is sporting departs from the previous generation Aquatimer chronograph most sharply in the implementation of the unidirectional time-lapse bezel. Where the latter model incorporated an internal bezel operated via a secondary crown, the 2009 Aquatimer watches feature more conventional external rotating bezels which encircle the sapphire crystal. With its redesigned 44mm case, the 2009 Aquatimer Chronograph is also slightly larger than its (42mm) predecessor.
Unchanged is the specifications of the mechanical movement. Power is provided by the self-winding 79320, IWC's highly revised implementation of the tried-and-tested Valjoux 7750 caliber. In addition to a chronograph with 12-hour and 30-minute counters, the movement offers rapid-adjust displays for both the day of the week and the date. As with the previous models, the IWC 2009 Aquatimer Chronograph is water resistant to 120 meters and features both a caseback and winding crown that securely screw down to assure a watertight seal.
Source 
11:03 AM Nov 25
