The Aquastar Benthos 500 II Founder’s Edition stands out for putting elapsed minutes on a central hand instead of a conventional chronograph subdial. It revives a design from Aquastar’s 1970 Benthos 500 in a 42 mm diver with a 200 m water-resistance rating. The trade-off is a distinctive, easy-to-read display in a substantial, costly watch produced in a limited run.
What makes the Benthos 500 II unusual?
Most chronographs use small subdials to show elapsed time. The Benthos 500 II instead uses a hand at the center of the dial to count elapsed minutes, up to 60. That makes the timing information prominent without asking the wearer to pick it out from a small register.
Aquastar presents the watch as a revival of its 1970 Benthos 500, retaining the earlier model’s aesthetic and dimensions while reducing the case height to 15.4 mm. The modern central-chronograph movement, Calibre 1MPS, was developed with La Joux-Perret. Aquastar says it could not source a modern automatic chronograph movement with the required central display. The company’s Marketing Director describes the original as “light years ahead of its time.” Aquastar’s product page explains the design and specifications.
How does the central chronograph work in practice?
The central hand displays elapsed minutes at the dial’s perimeter, rather than on a small subdial. The regular time display remains on the dial as well. This is the defining reason to consider the Benthos over a conventional chronograph: its elapsed-minute reading is visually prominent and closely tied to the watch’s dive-watch identity.
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- Precise Movement: Japanese 2115 quartz movement featuring 3 hands and a calendar, offering reliable and long-lasting performance. It's widely recognized for its durability and precision. It an excellent choice for watch ehthusiasts
- Size: 41 mm case diameter, 48 mm length, 13 mm thickness, 20 mm lug width, fits wrists up to 8.5 inches, perfect fit for a variety of wearing needs
- Water Resistance: With 200-meter (660 feet) water resistance, this watch is designed for both daily wear and aquatic activities. It can handle showering（excluding hot water）, swimming, and even recreational diving, ensuring reliable performance in and out of the water
- Clear Readability: Features BGW9 super luminous and an anti-reflective blue coating to reduce glare, 60 minute scale offers a more precise and easy to read experience. The time is clearly visible in both bright and low-light conditions
- Thoughtful Present: This durable, stylish, and water-resistant watch is a great ideal present for graduations, birthdays, weddings, and a worthy present for yourself, friends, father, lover, or husband on special occasions
Aquastar positions the layout as an advantage for legibility and diving use. That is the manufacturer’s rationale, not an independently established safety benefit. The watch also has a separate unidirectional bezel for tracking elapsed time; its central chronograph should not be confused with the bezel’s function.
Specifications and construction
| Specification | Aquastar’s published details |
|---|---|
| Case | 316L stainless steel; 42 mm diameter, 47 mm lug-to-lug, 15.4 mm thick |
| Lugs | 22 mm |
| Movement | Calibre 1MPS, Swiss-made automatic, with central 60-minute counter |
| Power reserve | 60 hours |
| Water resistance | 200 m / 660 ft |
| Crystal | Flat sapphire with triple anti-reflective coating |
| Bezel | Unidirectional ceramic, 120 clicks, with luminous elapsed-time markings |
| Dial | Semi-gloss black with applied luminous markers |
| Crown and pusher | Crown at 4 o’clock; chronograph pusher at 2 o’clock |
| Included strap | 22 mm ISOfrane rubber strap |
These are manufacturer specifications, not independent test results. Aquastar says the pusher can be operated underwater and positions it at 2 o’clock for index-finger use. Treat underwater operation as a brand claim rather than a separately verified result. The 200 m rating is also a published specification, not evidence here of independent dive testing.
Rank #2
- 300M/30ATM DIVE WATCH WITH UNIDIRECTIONAL BEZEL — Built with 300M/30ATM water resistance and a 60-minute unidirectional rotating bezel for tracking elapsed time during dives and outdoor activities.
- SOLAR POWERED JAPANESE QUARTZ MOVEMENT — Uses sunlight and indoor light to power the movement for dependable timekeeping, reducing the need for routine battery replacements.
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL & STEEL CASE — Features sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and a rugged stainless steel case designed for demanding everyday and outdoor use.
- LUMINOUS HANDS AND MARKERS WITH BACKLIGHT — Luminous hands and markers help provide clear time visibility in low-light conditions, with a backlight system for additional readability.
- 46MM RUGGED MEN'S WATCH WITH RUBBER STRAP — Features a 46mm stainless steel case, 16mm thickness, 24mm interchangeable black rubber strap and tactical buckle for diving, travel and everyday wear.
How large does it wear?
At 42 mm across and 47 mm lug-to-lug, with a 15.4 mm case, the Benthos is a substantial watch on paper. Those measurements help assess fit, but comfort and wrist presence depend on the wearer. Its 22 mm strap width gives it a broad, purposeful stance; Aquastar also lists a BOR steel bracelet for owners who prefer a bracelet to the included rubber strap.
Comments from owners on Aquastar’s site are mixed in useful ways: some praise comfort despite the dimensions, while others describe pronounced wrist presence. These are individual reports, not a representative fit test. Aquastar points buyers seeking a smaller case toward the 40 mm Benthos Heritage II, a brand-family comparison rather than an independent alternative assessment.
Rank #3
- 300M/30ATM DIVE WATCH WITH UNIDIRECTIONAL BEZEL — Built with 300M/30ATM water resistance and a 60-minute unidirectional rotating bezel for tracking elapsed time during dives and outdoor activities.
- SOLAR POWERED JAPANESE QUARTZ MOVEMENT — Uses sunlight and indoor light to power the movement for dependable timekeeping, reducing the need for routine battery replacements.
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL & STEEL CASE — Features sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and a rugged stainless steel case designed for demanding everyday and outdoor use.
- LUMINOUS HANDS AND MARKERS WITH BACKLIGHT — Luminous hands and markers help provide clear time visibility in low-light conditions, with a backlight system for additional readability.
- 46MM RUGGED MEN'S WATCH WITH RUBBER STRAP — Features a 46mm stainless steel case, 16mm thickness, 24mm interchangeable black rubber strap and tactical buckle for diving, travel and everyday wear.
What owners praise—and what they criticize
Aquastar displays 15 owner reviews with an overall 4.9 rating. That small, self-selected group is best read as anecdotal feedback, not a representative satisfaction measure. Reviewers praise the central-minute display, lume, finishing, timekeeping, and, for some, comfort relative to the case size. Critical comments include the ceramic bezel’s shiny or reflective appearance and one reviewer’s dislike of the supplied ISOfrane strap.
Those comments point to practical questions to consider before buying: whether you like a reflective ceramic bezel, whether the case size suits your wrist, and whether the included strap matches your preference. A different strap is optional, not a necessary extra; the watch already comes on a 22 mm ISOfrane rubber strap.
Rank #4
- Solar powered quartz movement helps reduce frequent battery replacement.
- 300M water resistant design supports swimming, snorkeling, diving, and water sports.
- Luminous hands and markers improve readability in dark or low-light conditions.
- Durable case and mineral glass are built for outdoor and everyday wear.
- WATCH SIZE & WRIST FIT: Features a 45.8 mm (1.80 in) case diameter and a 51.4 mm (2.02 in) lug-to-lug length. The adjustable 24 mm silicone strap accommodates wrists up to 230 mm (9.1 in). Measure your wrist and check the case dimensions before ordering, especially if you have a smaller wrist.
Price, edition size, and availability
When Aquastar’s official product page was accessed on October 7, 2026, it displayed $3,790 and said “In stock. Ships within 24 hours.” Those are dynamic store-page terms, so check the listing for current price and availability before ordering. Aquastar identifies the Founder’s Edition as limited to 300 pieces worldwide, with an engraved serial number.
First Class Watches’ Ireland listing showed £3,450 including VAT and backorder status in an indexed snapshot, with an estimated shipping date of June 28, 2026. That date has passed, and the listing was not directly fetched; it should not be treated as current stock information or directly compared with the US-dollar figure without checking currency, tax, delivery, and warranty territory. The retailer describes itself as an Aquastar partner and lists a two-year guarantee, while noting that warranty duration may vary outside the UK.
Best Value
- 300M/30ATM DIVE WATCH WITH UNIDIRECTIONAL BEZEL — Built with 300M/30ATM water resistance and a 60-minute unidirectional rotating bezel for tracking elapsed time during dives and outdoor activities.
- SOLAR POWERED JAPANESE QUARTZ MOVEMENT — Uses sunlight and indoor light to power the movement for dependable timekeeping, reducing the need for routine battery replacements.
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL & STEEL CASE — Features sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and a rugged stainless steel case designed for demanding everyday and outdoor use.
- LUMINOUS HANDS AND MARKERS WITH BACKLIGHT — Luminous hands and markers help provide clear time visibility in low-light conditions, with a backlight system for additional readability.
- 46MM RUGGED MEN'S WATCH WITH RUBBER STRAP — Features a 46mm stainless steel case, 16mm thickness, 24mm interchangeable black rubber strap and tactical buckle for diving, travel and everyday wear.
Servicing and ownership considerations
Aquastar recommends a full service every 5 to 10 years, depending on wear and diving, and says annual service is not required. The brand directs owners to contact its service department for a current quote; no service cost is established here. The interval is Aquastar’s guidance, not an independently confirmed schedule.
Before choosing the watch, weigh the central timing display and 60-hour stated reserve against its size, price, service access, warranty territory, and availability. Buyers who want a conventional subdial chronograph or a smaller, slimmer watch may prefer a different design; the Benthos makes most sense for someone specifically drawn to its central elapsed-minute counter and heritage.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
