Japy Aquatique 08 Review
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To read the interview with M. Suchel CLICK HERE!


I first noticed the Japy Aquatique in an issue of international Wristwatch Magazine. It was unique, but since I had never heard of the brand I sort of dismissed it. You have to keep in mind that at the time I was just discovering watches on-line and it had not occurred to me to do a search. Mind you, I am not so search Japy was even present on-line in the 90's. Well fast forward a half a decade and Japy reemerges into my life, pun intended. Suddenly every other month they come up on Timezone.com or on the Ultimate Dive Watch Forum, so I decided to have a closer look. That is when Roland Murphy posted the link to their site.

Once I had thoroughly studied their website, I had many questions, so I decided to send them an e-mail with the hope that they will respond. We all know that not all of them do. Well, after a few weeks of going back and forth with none other than the man behind Japy, I decided to take the plunge, once again pun intended.

The watch arrived and I was even more impressed in person. I do not know about you guys, but certain watches I have owned in the past evoke certain memories when I think of them. Just like when you catch a "wif" of a particular smell. I know I am weird. The Japy is no exception; it reminds me of a wonderful summer I spent with my family. Swimming in my pool and barbecuing them sausages! I FREAKIN' HATE WINTER!

Anyway, the below article is the review of this watch, a little late, but you know what they say "Better late than not showing up for work when you have a hangover and did not have breakfast…" or something like that…

CASE AND POINT

The Japy case is totally UNIQUE. If you have the interview above, then you already know of its modular design. If not, I will explain it again. It is like a watch within a watch. Basically a high-end / professional version of the old Gucci watches that you can pop in and out different case / strap combination. Just that this design is not for esthetic purposes. The outer case acts as a protective shell, sort of like the Enterprises shields. Upon inspection, you do not really see it, but when the torpedoes start flying, you are sure glad it is there! In all seriousness, what I mean is that you can barely tell it is modular, even when you hold it. It feels extremely solid and when you pop out the module you can literally feel the titanium ball bearings letting go. Oozes quality!

Both cases are entirely made of brushed stainless steel. It measures 41mm in diameter and only 12mm thick. Compared to the Dreadnought I had it is puny, but still large in its own right. From the side you can see a resemblance to a Breitling Chronomat case in the sense that it is nearly flat, with just a slight curve in the lugs. The lugs themselves are drilled through, which makes bracelet changes a snap and the spring-bars used are not your run-of-the-mill jobs, but BEEFY shoulderless boys. VERY IMPRESSIVE!

The crown is guarded by, no, no, forget guarded, it is totally enveloped by a stainless steel bridge. Since the module can be taken out in order to set the time, then you can now afford maximum protection from shocks, regardless of how difficult it is to operate when worn. How often do you really need to set the time while the watch is on your wrist? This "bridge" is also used to press the crown in place, which in turns gives the Aquatique its 300m water-resistant capabilities. You see the crown is like none other. Basically you unscrew a nut on the stem and as that nut is getting further away from the case it pushes into that bridge I mention earlier, which in turns drives the stem into a fixed gasket. Voila! That's how it is done! It is really a lot easier to show you than to explain verbally To see a video on how it is manipulated, click here:

The case back is screwed down, as expected, but the engraving does leave something to be desired. This is not really an important point, but I am one of those people who like to take their watches off and admire them from the rear. What can I say; I'm an ass man. I really do love a good engraving, like the Omega Seamaster Pro, the Ulysse Nardin San Marco and how about that Dreadnought! Way to go Eddie! Anyhow, again, this is not very important and for what it is worth, it very smooth and brushed just like the rest of the watch.

uh... Uh... UH... BEZEL! GAZOONHIK!!!

The bezel is another area Japy attacked with its unique fervor. It is unidirectional, just like all good dive bezels should be, but the sides have been deeply engraved so that a grip can only be had when turning in the proper direction. Cool, no? Mind you if you squeeze hard enough you will get a grip going the other way, but the bezel will not let you. It also is market off in minute increments all the way around, unlike many who think minute increments should only be found between 0 and 15.

The crystal is super-flat, really is there such a thing? I mean it is flat or it is not, right? Maybe someone should tell Sony. Super flat TVs, anyway. It features anti-reflective coating on both sides and almost disappears at angles. This makes the illusion of flying markers that much more supernatural, really is there such a thing? I mean it is either natural or… JUST KIDDING! The markers really are something special. Everyone I have shown this watch to is more impressed by the dial than the modular case. I wound up taking off the upper AR coating, I found it scratched rather easily and I like it when my crystal reflects a little. Keeps me from putting my fingers on it to see if I lost it. Fingerprints on AR coating are such a pain to take out!

The dial itself is a work of art! It is concave, no you do not get it is really curved. I have never seen anything like it. At a severe angle you can actually see the dial curving up the side and touching the markers, which are pasted to the bottom of the crystal. At least I think that is how they stay in place. Mind you it could be a combination of the latter and special elf dust! The dial itself is a special kind of gray - beige combination; simply gorgeous in person and all of the lettering is in cream color, even the "SWISS MADE" at the bottom. The date display at 3 I surrounded by a stainless steel applied box, which mimics the markers and also curves with the dial.

In order to be as far as possible from conformity, Japy has elected to go with equally inimitable hands. The hour hand is thin with a small arrow tip and the minute hand gets progressively fatter and also finishes in a point. They are also faceted and not flat, which is a nice touch and the second hand is painted red with a center disc in polished steel. Once again a unique look that fits just perfectly for this unique watch.



TIQUE - TOQUE (French for Tick-Tock)

Shockingly you would think that for such a different watch you would expect a different movement. Well, it is not. It is the tried and tested ETA 2824, but it is the chronometer grade version. So upscale parts were used. While I make this comment about not using a different movement, it is not to be negative. If you were to come out with a new watch and wanted the most sturdy, accurate and relatively affordable movement around, which would you choose? In this list of qualities, you must also add that if you even need service the ETA 2824 is probably the easiest to work on, since they are so widely utilized. Find me a watchmaker that has not worked on one over the years and I will give you my watch!

I usually go onto to numerating all of the details of the movement, such as its 28,8000 alternations per hour frequency, its 25 jewels, its Navirox 1 hairspring, its Incabloc shock protection system and its polished steel fork and escapement wheel, as well as its Glucydur balance wheel and its Naviflex mainspring, but I will not get into this time.

Being of chronometer grade, mine operated at a very respectable -2 sec/day. Yes, you can be of chronometer grade without being certified. If I am not mistaken the differences is about 200 smackers and the chronometer word printed on the dial. Who needs the extra writing anyway, so long as it performs right? Mind you, if the word was to be printed in red for only a couple of years and then produced in limited supply, maybe… then maybe we could have a RARE RED JAPY! Think it could catch on like a red Submariner or Seadweller?



OYSTER WHO?

The design of the bracelet is based on the classic Rolex Oyster, but that is where the similarities finish. It is 20mm all the way around and the end links are straight and round. It is really thick, just over 4mm if you can believe that! Even thicker than the MarcelleC!!! Another difference is that the links are rectangular in shape, not really curved. Once again, I am not explaining this correctly, so hopefully you will get the idea from the pictures.

The clasp is signed and made of thick steel, not the regular stamped stuff and it sports a diver's extension. I would have loved it if they offered an extra link so that you can bypass the extension. I for one will never use it and no matter how you wear them extensions always wind up rattling. That is unless it is as sophisticated as the Omega Seamaster Professional's or the new TAG Heuer AquaGraph. On a last note about the bracelet, the links adjust via screws. Now the latter point should NEVER be the criteria that could make or break a bracelet, but it is nice. I say this because I am sick of hearing people say that this or that bracelet is crap because it uses pins for adjustments. Seriously, how often do you size your bracelet? OK, end of rant.


PLASTIC?

You cannot have a totally different watch without having a totally different box! The Japy Aquatique comes in a plastic, yes plastic box, which is held closed by a nylon strap. The inside is made of cutout foam that is cut to measure. I do not dive, but if I were to purchase a regulator or some other diving tool, I would expect it to come in such a box. Hey, maybe that is the point! At any rate, it still rather neat, but not what I was expecting for a Swiss watch. Even though it is a serious tool like watch, it is still a luxury item. Instructions a limited to a pamphlet with the standard warrantee folded paper and plastic card. I know many enjoy nice watch boxes, heck I am one of them, but what is truly important is the watch itself. So if it comes with a nice box it is just gravy. That is why I do not put much stock into this criterion.

IS IT A KEEPER?

What is this word keeper? Is it not some kind of fish?

Late last summer, when I was no longer happy with my career choice, I drove to Toronto for a job interview. It is a good 5-hour drive from Montreal and I chose the Japy to come along. The last question during the interview was about my hobbies. I sort of explained my obsession with watches, let's face it IS an obsession and then complimented him on his TAG Heuer 6000. He then asked me about my watch. So I took it off, popped out the module, laid out the bracelet on one side and stood the module on the other. It totally blew him away! From that point on he was all smiles and asking me all kinds of watch questions. Needless to say the drive back home was enjoyable.

In my opinion, if you are looking for something different without compromising on quality and functionality, with all the additionally benefits of modular construction, the Japy is an awesome choice! As you can see it is also a great conversation piece! Have a look below, it appears the French fireman love them too!

To go back and read the M. Suchel interview CLICK HERE!

Thank you for reading,

Marc



* Background design is a negative of the Japy website, to visit CLICK HERE!