The Aquatimer was previously produced by V6 Factory. The older V6 version suffered from severe dial color deviation, especially on the blue dial. The factory later slipped into a semi-defunct state, so we will not comment further on it.

Today, the IWC Aquatimer replicas are made by IWS Factory and APS Factory. Both deliver comparable craftsmanship. Many cases for this watch line come from the same OEM suppliers, resulting in nearly identical exterior build quality. Unlike the highly inconsistent quality seen years ago, the market now features heavy product homogenization. Once one factory launches a successful model, many others quickly roll out similar items, most of which are outsourced OEM products.

Reputable factories generally maintain consistent build quality, at least above the industry average. You may take this IWC Aquatimer chronograph as a reference. There is not much extra to cover here; you can read the factory-provided description later. It is fitted with the 7750 movement. When choosing an IWC Aquatimer replica, pick either IWS Factory or APS Factory, which we are reviewing today.

Here is the official factory description:
The distinctive Cousteau styling of this new special-edition IWC watch is instantly recognizable. Its ocean-blue dial with an internal rotating bezel and the coral-red small seconds hand on the 9 o’clock subdial serve as a tribute to Cousteau, elegantly reflecting his lifelong passion for coral reefs.

This timepiece with a stainless steel case shares the same structure as the Aquatimer Chronograph and boasts all the features of an explorer-ready diver’s watch. This new Aquatimer model is equipped with a Dandong 7750 chronograph movement, delivering reliable precision with an extremely low failure rate. The strap adopts the new quick-release exchange system for easier removal. The case follows the genuine watch design and comes with a bidirectional rotating bezel. It is available in black and blue dial options.