The Vertex Watch Company, revived in 2016 by Don Cochrane, great-grandson of the original founder has produced a range of military-inspired watches based on models officially supplied to the Ministry of Defence during World War Two.
The M60 AquaLion, is their first purpose-built dive watch which – although entirely new – is directly linked to the work of Claude Lyons who founded the firm back in 1916.
A decade before establishing Vertex, Lyons borrowed £1,000 from his father-inlaw to set-up another dial name called ‘Dreadnought’ which was symbolised by a mythical creature, half lion, half fish. All watches also carry a serial number on the case back and the movement that starts with ‘FN’ “Fear Nothing” being the natural translation of dreadnaught.
The historic ‘AquaLion’ has now been revived both as an official Vertex trademark and as an appropriate name to reflect the true ‘tool watch’ functionality of the new COSC-certified M60 AquaLion dive chronometer. Featuring a 40mm stainless steel case, the M60 Aqua Lion meets (and substantially exceeds) the requirements of the latest international ISO standard for professional-quality dive watches – ISO 6425.
The M60 AquaLion – which is available with or without a date display (‘M60 D’ and ‘M60 ND’) – is also equipped with a uni-directional dive bezel made from matte-finished ceramic and featuring knurling based on the sight adjustment mechanism found on the Bren light machine gun introduced at the start of WWII.
In addition to the stainless steel bracelet, each M60 AquaLion will be supplied with both a rubber dive strap and a single strand ‘Zulu’ type, all of which are easily interchangeable thanks to the Vertex quick-release system. Each watch is delivered in the latest ‘Ruck’ model rubberised Peli Case which, being fully waterproof and able to float, can be re-used out on the water along with the M60 AquaLion.
“Since I re-launched Vertex in 2016 – over a century after it was founded by my great-grandfather, Claude Lyons – I have sent our watches to all corners of the globe and have had hundreds of messages from owners around the world telling me of the adventures they have had with Vertex on their wrists. Many of these adventures have taken place in or around water and, while the existing Vertex models are fully water-resistant and extremely robust, it seemed logical to enhance the range with a fully-certified, professional quality dive watch.The M60 Aqua Lion marks the opening of a new chapter in Vertex history – and I’m very much looking forward to hearing about and seeing some of the incredible places that I’m sure wearers will take them. Both above the water and, of course, beneath its surface…”
Don Cochrane, CEO, Vertex Watch Company
Technical Specifications:
VERTEX M60 AQUALION
Case: Stainless steel, diameter 40mm, thickness 14mm.
Case back: Stainless steel, screw-down type with engraved AquaLion trademark.
Crown: Screw down type.
Bezel: Scratch-resistant matte ceramic with engraved dive scale filled with Super-LumiNova Grade X1.
Dial: Matte black with moulded Super-LumiNova X1 Grade hour markers and Super-LumiNova X1 Grade coated hands.
Water resistance: 60 Bar/600 Metres ISO
Rating: 6425 (international dive watch standard)
Movement: Sellita SW360-1 (with or without date). Hours, minutes; hack seconds.
Power reserve: 42 hours.
Straps/Bracelet: One stainless steel bracelet; one single-strand Zulu strap; one rubber dive strap.
Packaging: Multi-purpose Peli Case ‘Ruck’. Waterproof, buoyant.
Price: £2,850 Including UK VAT £2,375 Excluding VAT
For more information please visit the Vertex Watch Company