ArtyA Introduces The Wave — A COSC-Certified, Limited-Edition Dive Watch

After launching the world’s first sapphire dive watches, ArtyA rounds off its diver collection with a stunning novelty. The Wave, a COSC-certified dive watch, features an artistic enamel dial of concentric ripples. This new model comes in four variants, each limited to nine pieces. It is a hypnotic visual experience that will immerse you in a VR world where you are shrunk to the size of a minuscule pebble and lose yourself down the vortex of water into nothingness…

Well, OK, it might not do exactly that. But what ArtyA’s new model does do is add a new dimension to the brand’s typically audacious statement timepieces. More importantly for the wearer, it allows a sensory connection to one’s inner child who loves the simple joy of a splash of water.

“A manufacture of emotions”

Mind you, that’s what art does. It touches us and makes us think or feel something. ArtyA is the epitome of that in high watchmaking. It even tells you so in the brand name. ArtyA (ART + Yvan Arpa) is a Swiss independent watchmaking company founded in 2010 by the colorful industry veteran Yvan Arpa (ex-Hublot, -Jacob & Co., and -Baume & Mercier, among others). ArtyA focuses largely on unique pieces and very limited editions.

Arpa is prolific. He has boundless creativity that has given birth to hundreds of references in over a dozen collections. His watches are unapologetically different from what is available on the market. Arpa’s wife is an accomplished artist in her own right, who is not only his muse but his collaborator for certain collections.

The hypnotic experience

Waves are a running theme through some of ArtyA’s collections. This now comes to the fore in an artistic and entirely handcrafted three-dimensional dial. The wave pattern in relief is sealed by a layer of enamel to enhance light reflections. It captivates you as if you are gazing at a moving artifact frozen in time. This particular dial comes in black and blue. ArtyA has sent us the blue version to be the first to get a hands-on review.

Of course, The Wave is a three-hand diver with a date function. But I seem to have a hard time examining the rest of the features. Believe me, I have looked at the dial countless times. Still, I cannot seem to fix my gaze on anything other than the centerpiece! I suppose that is not a bad sign. That can only mean the hands and indexes all have the right balance and proportions to not cause any subliminal irritation.

The technical vitals

And then the “a-ha” moment comes when I check the lume. I can finally focus my attention in low-light conditions. The Swiss BGW9 Super-LumiNova glows light blue on the bezel, the chunky indexes, the hands, and the ArtyA logo at 12 o’clock. The date window has a square aperture at 3 o’clock and “300 meters” is printed above 6 o’clock to state the water resistance.

The Wave combines technicality and art. As such, the reliability and performance that are essential to divers have not been overlooked. The 44mm size is substantial enough to facilitate underwater legibility. The satin-finished stainless steel case is a familiar circular shape with a protruding crown guard that you can find across other collections. It is also fitted with a screw-down crown and a wave-shaped unidirectional bezel with a ceramic inlay. The case back is solid, sporting a sculptural motif of raging waves that transform into a shark jaw. It is also engraved with ArtyA’s logo and the limited-edition number. The watch is mounted on a high-grade textured rubber strap for optimal diving comfort. The strap is secured with a unique pin buckle featuring a water-droplet silhouette.

Reliability is a given

Powering The Wave is the ArtyA-exclusive Aion movement. This three-hand automatic caliber is COSC-certified, ensuring chronometer-grade accuracy of +6/-4 seconds per day. According to ArtyA, the movement has Côtes de Genève and rose gold finishing, but it is all securely concealed inside, so there’s less to distract you (I mean me).

A soul connection

ArtyA’s creations may seem irreverent and avant-garde to some. But even if they are not your cup of tea, no one can deny that they stand out with their uniqueness and attitude. And that appeals to a solid client base indeed. From what I’ve witnessed in the past, ArtyA was always mobbed at trade shows (before COVID times and before the brand started hosting guests during watch weeks at its own Geneva boutique). Some of my own clients, whether watch aficionados or not, have simply fallen for an ArtyA piece at first sight and have had to acquire it.

Founder Yvan Arpa calls ArtyA “a manufacture of emotions,” and I think The Wave may have the broadest appeal to most of us. Who doesn’t understand the pure pleasure of a splash of water? Each of the nine pieces of the four available variants retails for CHF 12,900. You can find out more on ArtyA’s website.

What do you think of ArtyA’s new collection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!