Introducing Farer Refreshes Its Aqua Compressor Line With Three New Designs

The Farer Aqua Compressor has returned, in three new models for this year's offering. While the line has been part of Farer's collection since 2017, this year's trio of designs marks the first time the Aqua Compressor will say goodbye to Sellita and features an updated movement via the La Joux-Perret G101. First adopted by the British brand in its three-hander collection, it has now made its way onto these fun divers.

The case design remains the same, featuring a cushion-style compressor case made from grade 2 titanium. It's certainly a light watch at 62g in weight. The case measures 41mm in diameter, with a lug-to-lug distance of 45mm, and a case height of 12.5mm. It's a true compressor case, which means that the 300m water resistance is achieved through the pressure of water increasingly compressing the gaskets within the case, thus sealing it tighter as the watch travels further down into the abyss. Two screw down titanium crowns feature double gaskets that still maintain a 100m water-resistance even when the crowns are unscrewed. The top crown is used for normal watch operations, while the bottom crown rotates the internal unidirectional bezel, a feature commonly found in compressor dive watch designs.

Turn the case around, and you'll find the exhibition case back showcasing the La Joux-Perret movement with a 68-hour power reserve. Farer opts for the highest grade "soignée" standard of caliber for the Aqua Compressors, indicating that the caliber has been adjusted for accuracy in four different positions. These movements are also coated in a graphite PVD finish and sport custom rotors with a golden wave design.

Most familiar to Farer owners will be the black-dialed Endeavour. It's not too far off from the previous design of the same name, but this new generation features a grained dial texture. The bright green-tipped seconds hand and pale blue lume on the hour and minute hands offer eye-catching visual twists to the otherwise sober design. Just like the other two in this year's refresh, the hands and markers feature upgraded Grade X2 Super-LumiNova, which should prove to be brighter lume than in dials past.

The new Endeavour Ocean Blue design retains the much-loved lumed dial of the previous Ocean White, but this time features a dark blue PVD-coated titanium case and a matching dark blue rubber strap. The white lume dial is contrasted by deep navy hands and markers, and up close, a wave pattern printed under the lume adds a little extra complexity to the dial.

Last but not least is the Hecla Hunter Green edition, with a prominent waffle dial in the verdant colorway. In this model, the applied indices are slightly different, with Arabic numerals at twelve, three, six, and nine, and rectangular batons at the other hours. These are all crafted from a blend of Super-LumiNova and ceramic to create Lumicast, a material that allows these three-dimensional appliques to glow in the dark.

The Endeavour and Hecla models are priced at $1,295 USD, while the Endeavour Ocean Blue is priced at $1,350. Farer has noted that a portion of the profits from each sale of the Aqua Compressor will go towards the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, with £53,500 raised from previous generations of the Aqua Compressor.

I've always loved Farer, mostly because the brand has done an excellent job of defining a very distinct design language through interesting and unconventional color schemes and exceptional type design. Long story short, even the simplest watches from the brand seem to get the attention of a graphic designer's eye for details, and that's often not the case across many brands in its segment. The Aqua Compressor continues that sensibility, taking a very common compressor design and injecting the brand's design DNA into the watch.

Although this year's versions aren't groundbreaking, it's nice to see the line receiving a few solid updates to remain fresh. It seems that the La Joux-Perret calibers are garnering increasing attention from brands across the spectrum, and I'll be curious to see if this truly signifies a shift away from the use of Sellita's SW-200 in this price point. While I'm always a team green fan, the fun pop of colors against the classic black dial of the Endeavour and the full lumed dial of the Ocean Blue make it hard to choose a favorite.

Brand: Farer
Model: Aqua Compressor
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 12.5mm
Case Material: Grade 2 titanium
Dial Color: Various
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Super-LumiNova X2
Water Resistance: 300m
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap (steel bracelet an optional add-on)

Caliber: La Joux-Perret G101
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Power Reserve: 68 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 VpH
Jewels: 24
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Adjusted in four positions

Price: $1,295 (Endeavour & Hecla); $1,350 (Endeavour Ocean Blue)
Availability: Pre-order for shipping in late July.
Limited Edition: No

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