Marcello C will soon start selling its new Hydrox Automatik (ref. 2024.2K) diving tool. Unlike many “lifestyle divers” from more established brands that shouldn’t go lower than 100 meters, this one is rated for depths of up to 300 meters and comes in a modestly sized (at least, for a diver) body, which is available both in pure stainless steel and in more visually impressive PVD-treated steel (pictured above.)
With its water resistance rating of 30 ATM, this new Hydrox collection is not only suitable for serious diving adventures but may also serve as a nice everyday beater for a person leading an active life thanks to its relatively low price and elegant styling. Well, it has its share of disadvantages, too.
Like it often happens with third-tier brands that are operating within the $500-$1500 price range, the Hydrox looks like it was shamelessly ripped off from a more popular model of a premium brand.
If you look at it for a second, you will most certainly notice that the watch looks almost… um… almost like the iconic IWC Aquatimer heavily influenced it. The case, the shape of the hands and hour markers, and even the bezel look almost identical to the original.
Actually, this is not the first Marcello C that looks like a rip-off. Their other divers, the Tridente and Nettuno series, look like homages to the legendary Rolex Submariner line.
Well, if you have no problem with that and are looking for a lot cheaper version of a classic Swiss watch, then the Marcello C may be a good choice.
After all, there is a whole niche pioneered by brands like Steinhart and Chr. Ward that have a bulk of their sales formed by all sorts of “homages” to the legendary divers and pilots manufactured by premium brands, including those long gone in the aftermath of the Quartz Crisis and those still alive and kicking like the aforementioned Rolex and, of course, Panerai.
The Germans plan to power the Hydrox with the usual ETA 2824-2 automatic caliber (the same movement powers the recently presented Archimede SportTaucher,) which is both accurate and reliable (just don’t expect fancy complications or high-end upgrades to main components here,) and their build quality will almost surely be high, even compared to “Swiss Made” models in the same price range.
The German brand says that the Marcello C Hydrox will go on sale in December 2010 at a recommended price of €998.
See also: Choosing a Diving Watch: A buyer’s guide
Photos: Marcello C
Marcello C Hydrox (ref. 2024.2K) specification
Price: €998 (incl. VAT tax, excluding shipping)
Movement: Caliber ETA 2824-2, automatic, 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Power reserve: 38 hours
Case: Stainless steel (or PVD-coated black SS)
Shape: Round
Size: 43.50 mm
Case height: 12.00 mm
Dial: Black and Red / Black and Orange / Black and Blue
Hands: Steel, luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Stainless steel or Black rubber
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated
Back: Solid stainless steel