The three Aqua Compressors are the black dialed Endeavor, the silver dialed Leven, and, reviewed here, the blue dialed Hecla. All are named for Royal Navy ships of old, each of which has their own unique history, another way Farer injects the feeling of some heritage into their still very new brand. I selected the Hecla for the review mostly because I love the electric blue dial and finely micro-engraved wave pattern. Named for the HMS Hecla, a Royal Navy bomb vessel launched in 1815, which was in turn named after an Icelandic volcano, the Aqua Compressor Hecla has a particularly bold blue dial whose exact color changes are profoundly based on viewing angle and lighting. Light conditions also allow for different degrees of visibility for the wave pattern, which is a very cool and subtle touch that clearly states this watch is built for the ocean.
Interestingly, the blue portion of the dial “floats” over a disc of solid lume, allowing for a ring of said lume to be visible at the dial’s circumference as well as at the hour markers, which are simply cut out from the center portion of the dial. The Farer-style (we can say that now) numeric markers at twelve, three, six, and nine o’clock are applied, raised from the dial, and filled in with more Super-LumiNova. Complimenting the bright blue is a set of “beacon red” hands which in turn feature a hefty helping of still more white Super-LumiNova. A polished steel seconds hand, topped with a lumed yellow Farer “A” styled tip, finishes off the vibrant and functional set of hands. The lume is overall very good but still not as bright as what you’d get from Seiko.
Dial text is thankfully minimal and Farer have also elected to leave off the date function altogether, a decision which aids in legibility and can only deepen my love for Farer’s work. Here again, Farer have expertly injected their color palette into a watch in a way most brands wouldn’t even attempt and the results are refined yet still vibrant, a difficult balance to achieve without making the watch dial look like a tropical bird. The internal bezel is a subdued “astronaut silver” and is engraved with elapsed time measurements which are then infilled with black paint. A lumed triangle resides at twelve o’clock on the internal bezel for the night divers out there. While this is certainly the brightest Farer yet, it doesn’t feel garish or gaudy. On the wrist, it’s more understated than I thought it would be.
Flipping the watch over reveals a sapphire exhibition caseback, an unnecessary but cool refinement, which allows for easy viewing of the Top Grade ETA 2824-2 Non Date, a rare enough movement in its own right, which Farer have altered with their own Farer rotor with an engraved wave pattern to keep the nautical theme flooding (as opposed to ebbing). While not much can be said about the ETA 2824-2 which hasn’t been said before (by us even), it is noteworthy that Farer sourced the non date version rather than using the standard version and covering up the date window as many other manufacturers would. As you’d imagine for the more than proven 25 jewel ETA 2824-2, timekeeping was accurate and reliable and Farer’s movements are adjusted in three positions to ensure excellent time telling. My Hecla kept time at a few seconds fast per day whether worn or not, a level of accuracy which is more than good enough for almost anyone’s needs. The lack of date also didn’t bother me a bit. Most in the modern world look a their phone more than often enough to stay abreast of one’s location on the calendar and in my opinion, most watches, and all divers, look better without a date window.
I lauded Farer for the quality of the straps they provided when I reviewed the Oxley GMT Automatic but with the Aqua Compressor, they’ve climbed yet another notch. Each Aqua Compressor comes as standard mounted on a fitted, natural rubber strap with a large, Farer “A” signed buckle. This rubber strap is, in form, function, and comfort, as good as any I have tried. Italian rubber is perfectly supple, smooth, and doesn’t gather lint. A very simple ridged design mates up perfectly with the case and shows that Farer put some thought into the rubber but didn’t want to overpower the watch itself. The inside of the strap repeats the wave pattern from the dial and gives perspiration a way out to keep the rubber from feeling sticky. This rubber strap, on this $1300 watch, is every bit as good as any OEM you’d get from Omega or Panerai. In fact, the rubber is so good, you could almost miss the also excellent bracelet, which Farer have so graciously included.
Keeping the vintage theme alive, the Aqua Compressor bracelet is a fairly straightforward oyster design with an excellent, heavy duty clasp and integrated extension. The bracelet looks great on the watch and gives it some heft for those who feel the watch isn’t terribly large. Really my only drawback with the bracelet is that it’s pretty difficult to adjust, owing to its collar and pin links. However, you only have to size it once, and when you’re done, it’s pure joy on the wrist. Farer also included a handy tool in the box which grabs both spring bars at once for easy switching between the bracelet and the rubber, which is something you’re going to want to do given the quality of both straps. The smallest of issues with the bracelet is the small number of micro adjustments on the otherwise excellent clasp. With only two positions for micro adjustment, there might be those (like me) who find themselves in the “too tight or too loose” situation, but those people will be gleefully happy with the rubber strap anyway.
Farer are, in a crowded world of micro brands, big brands, start-ups, and Indie Go Go projects, a watch company we can and should get behind. Their blend of thoughtful and truly different design which can be had at a reasonable price is, at this point, without equal in the watch industry. It’s nice to see a brand go out of their way to not only create a collection of watches which are all excellent on their own but to go even further out of their way to keep an actual design sense across the whole collection. The Aqua Compressor looks like the GMT automatic series, despite their differing styles and purposes. The Farer Aqua Compressor is one of the most interesting and well appointed diver’s watches out there today. By combining their now signature design elements with functionality, some historical heritage, and modern tech, Farer are continuing to stretch the imagination in terms of what micro brands are capable of making. In the vibrant Hecla configuration, the Aqua Compressor makes a strong case for the ultimate summer or vacation watch. Couple that with a very attainable retail price and you have the success and reputation Farer are currently enjoying. If you like the Farer look but have since waited for a more capable seafaring option, the 300m Aqua Compressor is a solid offering by the brand at a price of $1,295. farer.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Farer
>Model: Aqua Compressor Hecla
>Price: $1,295
>Size: 41.5mm, not including the crowns.
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Oh yes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: The ocean going adventurer type who wants a sports watch with water resistance, vibrant colors, and a vintage feel.
>Best characteristic of watch: The micro engraved wave pattern gets me every time.
>Worst characteristic of watch: I wish the crowns screwed in a bit more easily, but I’m really splitting hairs.
