Switzerland based brand Hercules has launched a new series of mechanical watches inspired by natural ice wonders.
This new range includes four unique dial colours (Snow, Ice Blue, Ice Pink, and Ice Green), inspired by the natural wonders of various ice colours of Planet Earth. The brand is offering automatic and hand-wound versions of these watches.
A white dial variant is also available, from the inaugural collection released in 2022. Dressed in a stainless steel case, each timepiece is fitted with a sapphire crystal case-back to admire the movement beating inside it.
The Snow Dial reminds us of the serene white snow covering the Tibet region all year and notably of Nanga Parbat, the mountain that was firstly ascended by Hermann Buhl wearing a Hercules Watch.
The Ice Blue Dial captures the serene blue of the clear ice, pristine, giving an untouched, crusty feeling during the first-morning walk in winter.
The Ice Pink Dial, inspired by the vibrant pink algae found in alpine streams. These striking pink icebergs are a natural wonder created when high concentrations of red algae accumulate on the surface of an iceberg.
The Ice Green Dial is a nod to the lush green algae that thrives in the harsh frozen environment. This rare and enthralling phenomenon, known as “algal blooms,” occurs when the surface of an iceberg becomes a breeding ground for algae. These greenish ice formations usually found in the nutrient-rich waters of the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Hand-wound models house a manufacture movement with a double-barrel that offers 120 hours (5 days) of power reserve. This calibre was designed in collaboration with Manufacture horlogère Vallée de Joux, Switzerland.
For automatic versions, Hercules Watches Company selected a micro-rotor self-winding calibre designed in partnership with OM-Mechanics, established by acclaimed movement specialist Olivier Mory.
Each movement gets tested by the Timelab institute in Switzerland and comes with an official chronometer certificate. On the bridges of the movement, you can see the height lines of the Nanga Parbat Mountain engraved.
These lines are filled with BRW9 SuperLuminova. The lines light up bright blue, referring to the permafrost ice on the top of the mountain and creating a magical glaring effect.
Both versions (hand-wound and automatic) feature stainless steel cases measuring 40mm in diameter and 9.4mm thick including glass. They also share the same dial styles.
The Hercules Watch in stainless steel costs €5’995 for the manual-wound model and €6’495 for the automatic version with micro-rotor.
Technical details
Hercules Watches Natural Ice Wonders Collection
Movements
Hand-wound movement
Designed in collaboration with Manufacture horlogère Vallée de Joux
Size: 13 1/4’’’lignes – 30 mm diameter, 3.90 mm thickness
26 Jewels
Frequency: 28’800 / hour
Precision: -4 / +6 seconds per day
Power reserve: 120 hours (5 days)
Engraving: Mountain height lines, filled with BGW9 SuperLuminova
Finishing: Sunburst finishing (from the centre of the movement)
Functions: Hour, Minute & Central second
Certification: Officially Chronometer Certified (ISO 3159), 100 % Swiss Made
Automatic movement
Automatic micro-rotor movement designed in collaboration with OM Mechanics
Size: 15.5’’’lignes – 34.4 mm diameter, 3.70 mm thickness
Number of jewels: 33 Jewels
Frequency 28’800 / hour
Precision ratings of -4 / +6 seconds per day
Power reserve: 70+ hours
Engraving: Mountain height lines, filled with BGW9 SuperLuminova
Finishing: Sunburst finishing (from the centre of the movement)
Functions
Hour, Minute & Central second
Certification
Officially Chronometer Certified (ISO 3159), 100 % Swiss Made
Other features
Case
Material 316L Stainless Steel
Construction: 3 parts (bezel, middle case, caseback). All screwed
Diameter: 40 mm
Thickness: 9.4 mm (including glass)
Lug to Lug: 46 mm
Finishing: Polished finishing
Lug size (strap): 20 mm
Glass: Sapphire glass with Anti-reflective (AR) coating on the inside
Caseback: Screwed caseback with sapphire glass including AR coating
Crown: 316L steel with embossed crown logo
Water resistance: 100 M / 10 ATM water-resistant
Dial
Based on the original piece from 1953
Colours: Snow white, Ice Blue, Ice Pink, Ice Green, White
Swiss-made SuperLuminova BGW9
Strap
Material: Calf leather suede in black or cognac
Buckle: 316L stainless steel
Size: 115 x 75 mm
Push pins: Quick-release
Custom Material, color and size available for free
Box
Large luxury wooden box with stainless steel hinges and closure system
Book
Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage, by Hermann Buhl included.
Certificate
Unique chronometer certificate with every watch
Warranty
2 years worldwide warranty signed by Hercules director
