Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary Limited Edition on the wrist of Christian Redl. This black, blue and green watch commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Hydro-Sub (1965 to 2015). Housed in the 46mm stainless steel case is the Calibre 80 automatic movement (base Sellita SW 200). The Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary is water-resistant to 500 metres and is limited to 515 pieces. The Master Lock (at the 3 and 4.30 positions) is in the closed position and it protects the crown. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. May 2015
The Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary Limited Edition, seen in the image above and launched at the annual BaselWorld watch fair in 2015, is what we would describe as a handsome sports watch.
It actually follows in the footsteps of the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition that was introduced in 2014 to commemorate the 130th anniversary (1884 to 2014) of the brand’s founding.
The Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary, limited to 515 pieces, is offered with an intriguing blue dial, one that is black at the edges and blue for the rest of the dial.
The Master Lock is an Edox creation (in collaboration with Christian Redl) and it is used for protecting the crown. This Master Lock can slide open to expose the crown for setting the time and make date adjustments. It can also slide shut to protect the crown.
If the Master Lock is between 1.30 and 3, the crown is exposed. If the Master Lock is between the 3 and 4.30, the crown is covered and protected.
The Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary is a tribute to the brand’s very first Hydro-Sub of 1965 (1965 to 2015) and it is also the watch worn by Christian Redl during his expedition to the North Pole in April 2015.
Christian Redl with the poster of the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition beside him. The Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition commemorates the 130th anniversary of the brand’s founding (1884 to 2014). It is powered by the Edox Calibre 802 automatic movement, base Sellita SW 200. It is water-resistant to 500 metres and is limited to 350 pieces. Priced at SGD4,119.50. Photo: TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. May 2015
The Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition, seen in the image above on the photo wall beside Redl, was worn by professional photographer Marcus Fillinger who accompanied Redl on the trip. Fillinger was filming and taking photos of Redl’s dive.
In 2003, Fillinger was the first person to scuba-dive solo at the North Pole and was therefore the ideal photographer and expedition partner for Redl’s record free-diving attempt.
Redl wore the Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary during his North Pole expedition. Regardless, what matters more was that the two different watch models survived the expedition, which was the case.
At the North Pole, the two gentlemen had to endure surface air temperatures of around minus 30 degrees Celsius. Redl together with Fillinger and their Edox watches had to further brave water temperatures of minus two degrees Celsius.
On 13 April 2015, Redl, nicknamed “The Iceman”, lived up to his moniker when he became the very first person to freedive at the North Pole. Redl dived to the depth of 30 metres, completing his sub-zero descent and ascent in one minute.
During his ascent, Redl looked up and was surprised to discover there was unlimited visibility. “The ice was green, sometimes black. It wasn’t like the green [used for the seconds hand on the Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary he was wearing] on my watch which is more fashionable,” says Redl.
“There was no light coming through the ice and at that moment, I was really wondering how it was possible to have ice in green,” he adds.
On 13 April 2015, Christian Redl became the first person to freedive in the North Pole. His world record was captured on film and print by fellow expedition member Marcus Fillinger. During his ascent, Redl looked up and was amazed to discover “endless visibility” and to see that the ice was green. Photo: © Marcus Fillinger. Image provided by Edox / Crystal Time
That “green” sighting was indeed interesting as it throws up a link with the green seconds hand of the Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary.
It also highlights the “green” cause of Redl’s with his North Pole expedition. “In the past, visits to the North Pole were open for two months. Now, it is only three weeks due to the declining polar ice cap. The North Pole is in a very bad situation,” says Redl.
Indeed, even during his address to new graduates of the US Coast Guard Academy on 20 May 2015, US President Barack Obama had highlighted: “The world’s glaciers are melting, pouring new water into the ocean…. By the end of this century, it [the world’s sea level] is predicted to rise another one to four feet [30.48 to 121.92 centimetres].
“By the middle of this century, Arctic summers could be essentially ice free.”
These are chilling statements. The time to go green is now.