Introduction
In the realm of watches and microbrands, it is the Germans who consistently outshine others in crafting exquisite timepieces that offer remarkable value for money. I have had the pleasure of reviewing esteemed German brands such as Marc & Sons and DUFA in the past, and they have never failed to impress.
Thus, when I stumbled upon what appeared to be a promising German microbrand, my expectations for exceptional craftsmanship and impeccable design were sky-high. I can confidently say that Circula did not disappoint me in the slightest.
Allow me to introduce you to the magnificent Circula Aquasport II Green.
Video Review
The brand
Circula is a watch brand that has been producing high-quality mechanical tool watches in Pforzheim, Germany for over 60 years. They use traditional watchmaking techniques and quality materials to create reliable and precise watches with unique designs.
The company is family-owned and was founded in 1955, stemming from a passion for watches that has been passed down through three generations. Circula focuses on making durable watches that can stand the test of time, working meticulously to design and manufacture each component.
They prioritize quality and precision and collaborate with manufacturing partners who share their values. The watches feature Swiss movements and components made of 316L stainless steel and grade 2 titanium.
Circula draws inspiration from their past catalogs while also reinventing classical designs for modern times.
They strive to keep their watches reasonably priced without compromising on quality. The company has plans to continue making great watches by maintaining a balance between quality, unique design, and affordability.
Specifications for the Circula Aquasport II Green
Pros & Cons
Pros
Packaging
Circula takes pride in presenting its timepieces in a strikingly understated black leather (or faux leather) case. While undoubtedly elegant, it’s not exactly groundbreaking considering the price range of these watches.
It’s worth mentioning that when it comes to watches like these, I personally value the investment going towards the watch itself rather than fancy packaging. Circula understands and respects this sentiment, and happily abides by it.
Design
The Circula Aquasport collection embodies a straightforward and classic diver design, with the green model being the least distinctive when it comes to color and dial contrast. It embraces simplicity without compromising functionality.
However, what sets this watch apart are the meticulous and delightful design elements that not only make it unique but also visually appealing. Let’s dive into these captivating details.
- First and foremost, the watch boasts impeccable proportions, allowing for effortless time reading with just a quick glance. Its well-placed date window rests gracefully at the 6 o’clock position, instilling a sense of symmetry and harmony to the dial.
- The raised chapter ring, although only noticeably elevated under the right lighting conditions, reveals hour indices that seemingly float above the base dial. This lovely feature casts intriguing shadows on the dial, adding an element of visual interest.
- Speaking of the dial, its base showcases a subtle galvanized texture and a fumé coloring, gradually darkening towards the perimeter. This seamless transition perfectly aligns with the raised chapter ring, creating a seamless visual cohesion.
- In a praiseworthy display of attention to detail, the green hue of the sapphire bezel effortlessly matches the inner dial—a detail that some brands tend to overlook. Furthermore, a cool touch of green manifests in the form of a metal ring on the crown, adding a touch of uniqueness and playfulness.
- Overall, the green color palette of this timepiece exudes subtlety—a desirable shade of green, similar to the captivating Omega Seamaster Green model.
- To add a final flourish, a subtle orange seconds hand gracefully brings a touch of flair to the dial. Its hue is carefully calibrated to not overshadow the charm of the fumé dial.
All of these remarkable features are enveloped within a 70s-inspired diver case, accentuated by a finely polished bevel running along its sides. It truly encompasses everything one could hope for in a timepiece.
Design – Conclusion
In essence, this watch’s design champions simplicity and functionality, while embracing thoughtful and playful details, clever color choices, and a captivating layering of the dial.
In my opinion, Circula has masterfully executed the design of this watch, along with their other collections.
Quality
Case & Crown
The case of the Circula Aquasport lineup embodies a beautifully simplistic design, featuring short lugs that evoke the iconic aesthetic of 70s divers.
The craftsmanship of the case is quite good, characterized by a straight-lined brushed finish on the sides and a circula brushed finish on the top. These distinct finishes are elegantly separated by a polished beveled edge, which not only adds a touch of sophistication but also serves as a crisp border between the finishes.
The crown, meticulously polished to a flawless shine, exhibits excellent execution. It bears a deep engraved logo on its side, filled with white paint (although it is regrettable that the paint is not luminous, which would have been quite exciting).
Admittedly, the crown’s size makes it slightly challenging to grip, but this minor inconvenience is well worth it considering its impeccable proportions in relation to the watch itself.
The threading mechanism operates smoothly and effortlessly, making it easy to unscrew the crown. However, it can be a bit trickier to screw back in, especially when the watch is fully wound. While this might be a characteristic of the Sellita Movement, it does not necessarily indicate any shortcomings.
Dial & Hands
The execution of the dial is quite masterful, every element being precisely aligned, inclusive of the date nestled in its little window.
The foundational dial flaunts charming fumé touches and a nuanced galvanized texture, which intriguingly only reveals itself under specific lighting conditions.
Worth Noting: The date wheel, which boasts a green backdrop echoing the dial’s hue – a detail for which I wholeheartedly commend Circula. It’s a delightful touch that I truly adore and that even the biggest luxury brands miss!
With a keen eye for detail, the hands and indices have been artfully brushed, resulting in remarkably crisp edges and corners. Given its role as a tool watch, one would anticipate a scarcity of polished elements gracing the dial, an expectation that rings true in this instance.
The printed elements are competently done, and error-free, although they may not stand out as exceptional within this particular price tier.
The glass
The subtly arched sapphire crystal is enhanced by a dual-layer of Anti-Reflective coating on its interior surface.
This coating performs admirably, working in tandem with the gentle curve of the crystal to stave off any bothersome reflections that could mar the viewing experience.
Luminescence (Lume)
Certain timepieces are affectionately dubbed as “lume beasts,” and this one comfortably earns that accolade!
The Circula Aquasport II utilises two distinct types of phosphorescent paint:
- BGW9 for the bezel markings (excluding the triangle)
- Swiss Super-LumiNova® C3, featuring a green afterglow and X1 Grade (the highest quality level) for the hands, indices, and triangle on the bezel.
The luminescent paint is brilliantly applied on the hands, crown and hour indices, with a leaner coating gracing the bezel. In my experience, the BGW9 tends to glow less intensely but maintains its luminosity for a longer duration.
While I would have appreciated a more generous application of lume on the bezel, the watch’s overall performance during nighttime timekeeping skates very close to the realm of perfection.
Strap & Buckle
The included tropical strap for the Green Aquasport complements the watch’s aesthetics harmoniously, and its quality is on par with a typical tropical strap. Fortunately, these generic straps tend to be soft and comfortable, which is a plus.
However, the spacing between the holes in this strap is relatively large, which may make achieving an ideal fit more challenging for some wrists (for the record, I’ve switched to wearing mine on a Milanese mesh strap, which looks utterly fantastic).
Interestingly, the buckle surpasses the quality of many standard ones that often accompany such straps. Its brushed finish marries well with the watch, and the brand name is deeply etched into the buckle, making for a more premium feel.
Movement
In our exploration of the vibrant Green, Blue, and Grey Aquasports II, we encounter the engineering prowess of the Sellita SW200-1 Élaboré Grade movement at its core. To put it into perspective, this piece of fine machinery falls second in the grand hierarchy of four grades of quality, with the pinnacle being COSC certified.
Hailing from the artistic heart of Germany, specifically Pforzheim, this movement pledges an accuracy bracket of -5 to +7 seconds per day. My own timepiece seems to drift off by about 8 seconds per day, which, let me assure you, is quite an impressive feat considering the price point.
In essence, this robust movement offers excellent value for money. It’s a commendable successor to the well-renowned ETA 2824-2, which for years held the torch high as the standard bearer for microbrands. The reason behind its rising popularity is clear — it’s a near carbon copy of this legendary workhorse movement.
Quality – Conclusion
In the grand scheme of things, Circula delivers an uncompromising assurance of value for your investment, even concerning those subtleties such as the intricacies of its movement. This, indeed, epitomizes the very essence of what microbrands aspire to achieve.
As I sift through the recesses of my memory, there exists but one rival that could hold its own against Circula in this delicate dance of quality and cost. It’s none other than Marc & Sons.
On the wrist
The Circula Aquasport II has a captivating allure that resonates well with wrists of various sizes, and it nestles with a cozy yet pronounced presence on my 17cm circumference wrist.
Due to its thoughtfully designed case shape and slender crown, it conveys a visual impression of being slightly less than its actual 40mm diameter, a delightful illusion, indeed.
Worth Noting: The stature of 12.6mm height is the utmost limit I’d be inclined to accept on divers watches of this scale.
Price
The price is very fair
671 EUR / 736 USD
Given the superb craftsmanship, the masterful mechanical movement that beats at its heart, the meticulous attention to detail, and those unique custom elements like the date wheel and the crown, it’s fair to say that this timepiece offers an excellent return on your investment.
You’re not merely buying a watch; you’re acquiring a testament to value for money.
Conclusion
Circula, an endearing brand, should have graced the pages of my blog much sooner and unquestionably warrants a mention among my top Watch Microbrands list.
They bring to the table tool watches that lean towards simplicity, yet they impress with their distinctive and practical design, brilliantly lume, and a value proposition that outshines their price tag.
Truly, what more could one possibly ask for?
