The Farer Aqua Compressor returns with a titanium case and a new movement
Russell Sheldrake- Farer’s dual-crowned Aqua Compressor diver arrives in grade 2 titanium, and a selection of well-considered dial styles.
- The biggest change, though, is the new movement, as it now sports the La Joux-Perret G101.
- Available in three variants, including an awesome full-lume dial with a PVD blue case, prices start at £1,175, and will soon be available from the Time+Tide Shop.
The Aqua Compressor has made up the second strand of Farer’s dive watch collection for a while now, but it was withdrawn from the catalogue in order for this summer refresh. We have three new colours, and in classic Farer style, a shift in the markers used across the collection to help add extra points of difference.
The big change to this new launch is the new movement inside. Rather than the Sellita SW200-1 that we found in the old version, we now have the top-grade La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement. It’s been given a dark grey PVD colouring to show off the Geneva stripe finish and allow the golden waves on the rotor to stand out. This new movement gives the watch 68 hours of power reserve, and because it is soignée grade, each individual movement has been hand-adjusted in four positions to guarantee a higher level of precision.
This 300-metre depth rating is reached thanks to the characteristic construction of a compressor dive watch, which allows the components to flex under pressure and seal the watch’s gaskets even more tightly. What is amazing as well are the two screw-down crowns have two gaskets each, meaning that even when they’re unscrewed, they are still safe up to 100 metres. As with most compressor divers, the top crown operates the time and winding of the movement, while the bottom one operates the internal rotating bezel.
As mentioned above, the new Aqua Compressor comprises three new colours, each named after a Royal Navy ship. The standard black dial is the Endeavour, and there’s also an Endeavour Ocean Blue, named after the HMS Endeavour, Captain Cook’s research vessel that was the first European ship to reach Australia in 1770. Both of these watches come with blocky dot and dash markers, with a bold numeral 12 at the top of the dial. The Ocean Blue also comes with a navy blue PVD coating on the case to contrast the fully lumed white dial.
An important update to these models over the previous generation is that Farer has brought in the latest-generation X2 Super-LumiNova. This is something they are doing with all of their latest releases, as it gives a much brighter and longer-lasting glow than the previous version, a feature that is extremely useful on a dive watch capable of going down to 300m of depth. Also, it just looks plain cool.
The final model in this release is the Hecla Hunter Green. Named after the HMS Hecla, a Royal Navy bomb ship that was launched in 1815, the ship was later modified to serve as an Arctic expedition vessel and took part in three journeys to find the Northwest Passage. As the name would suggest, this watch has a rich green dial with a grid pattern, and instead of dot and dash markers, it has numerals at the cardinal points with thin batons for the rest.
Finally, Farer has always used the Aqua Compressor line to help raise funds for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, for which it has already raised £53,500. With this next release, Farer is hoping to reach its target of £60,000 to help support Scottish marine life.
Farer Aqua Compressor pricing and availability
The Farer Aqua Compressor is available now and will be arriving in our Discovery Studios soon. Price: £1,175 (Endeavour and Hecla), £1,225 (Endeavour Ocean Blue)
| Brand | Farer |
| Model | Aqua Compressor |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 12.5mm (T) x 45mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Grade 2 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 300 metres (100 metres with crowns unscrewed) |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystal front and back |
| Dial | Full lume white (Endeavour Ocean Blue) Black (Endeavour) Green (Hecla Hunter Green) |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Bracelet and Strap | Rubber strap, pin buckle Titanium bracelet, folding clasp |
| Movement | La Joux-Perret G101, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 68 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | £1,175 (Endeavour and Hecla) £1,220 (Endeavour Ocean Blue) |