Farer Aqua Compressor – A Modern Super Compressor
English watch brand Farer introduced their first series of three-hander watches in 2016 and later on, in May this year, another collection was introduced with a GMT function. Now, only a few months later, Farer comes up with a model based on the sought-after Super Compressor watches.
A super compressor case manages to keep water out by increasing water resistance the deeper the watch went in the water. The case back of a super compressor pressed harder on the O-ring gasket when the pressure increased. This way of sealing a watch was patented by case manufacturer Ervin Piquerez S.A. (EPSA) and they have produced super compressor cases for dozens of brands. The 1960’s design with the two crowns (one for setting the time, the other to rotate the inner bezel) from EPSA could be found in many famous brands. We covered for example the Hamilton 600 Diver as well as the Enicar Sherpa Super Jet with super compressor cases.
Farer Aqua Compressor
It would of been of little use to adopt the same super compressor mechanism from the 1960s in a modern diving watch. Techniques on how to keep a watch water resistant have been improved over the last few decades. But nevertheless, Farer must have thought a super compressor still looks very cool and ensured that they took it up a notch.
Lots of gaskets
The Farer Aqua Compressor design is based on a number of developments, to ensure water resistance up to 30 bar (~ 300 meters). To establish this, Farer used the compression principle like the original super compressor method from EPSA also did. Additionally, Farer has a very thick (2.2mm) sapphire crystal fitted on the front side of the case, secured by a rectangular cross section gasket with a width of no less than 0.5mm and a height of 1.1mm. On the case back, you will also find a sapphire crystal (1.6mm) fitted in the same way as the front crystal, with a cross section gasket with a height of 1.4mm (thickness remains the same). Then, the screw down case back also uses a gasket of course, one that is being compressed vertically. The crowns, both for setting time and the inner bezel, use three gaskets each. Two O-ring gaskets inside the crown to ensure water resistance up to 10 bar (~ 100 meters) when they are unscrewed, and another flat gasket in the case is being compressed when the crown is screwed down and securing the watch up to 30 bar (~ 300 meters).
Named after Ships
The Farer Aqua Compressor comes in three flavors, all named after British explorers and vessels. There’s the Leven, named after a ship that was part of the Royal Navy Survey Service completing an epic voyage that resulted in the mapping of the whole east coast of Africa. Then there’s the Endeavour, named after Captain Cook’s Royal Navy research vessel and there’s the Hecla, a Royal Navy exploration ship that made three journeys in search of the icy Northwest Passage.
The difference between the Farer Aqua Compressor Leven, Hecla and Endeavour is in the color schemes of the watches. The silver grey dial is the Farer Aqua Compressor Leven, the blue sunray dial goes by the name of Hecla and the matte black dial version is the Endeavour.
All three use the same ETA based movement, the caliber 2824-2, non date Elaboré version. A reliable work-horse, fitted with a bespoke Farer rotor.
Cushion Shaped Case
All three watches also have the twin crowns of course, one is made of bronze (for the movement) and the other one of stainless steel, to operate the inner rotating bezel.
The cushion shaped cases measure 41.5mm in diameter, and have a height of 12.5mm. The case has a satin sunray brushed top and polished sides and case back. The lug-to-lug size is 45mm. All watches are supplied with a rubber strap and a stainless steel bracelet.
Details, details, details
The Farer Aqua Compressor combines a couple of cool things. The cushion shaped case, the Super Compressor design and – I like this – no date on the dial. You will find all these neat little details on this watch, like the typical engraving on the crown, similar to those you’ll find on the old Super Compressor watches.
The Farer Aqua Compressor is a clean and simple tool watch, available in three colors. Personally, I like the silver sunray dial version with orange elements. However, you can also go for the more playful deep blue version or the no-nonsense matte black one with polished silver colored hands.
All three watches have the same retail price of €1225.- (1095 GBP) and can be ordered directly from the Farer website. More images below.
