The gray dial reference rotates a sequence of orange, two black, orange, two black, orange, two white, orange, two white. The other two references alternate every hour marker between bright white “new lume” and faux patina “old lume.”
Obviously, this retrofitting of the date wheel means that the Antarctic Dive Aquamar has a three-hand dial. This is the one significant aesthetic departure from the original Nivada Aquamar from the 1960s, which had a date window.
On the wrist
The first thing I noticed about the Antarctic Diver Aquamar when I put it on was how small it felt, in a good way. The case measures 38mm and the lugs are curved to hug the wrist, so it wears more like a 37mm to 36mm.
Admittedly, this is my sweet spot for watch sizing, but some people may find it surprisingly small for a dive watch.
