CLERC Hydroscaph H1 Watch Review

During my 9 years of service to the community as a police officer, I have often said to myself, “I never thought I’d be doing this when I went through the academy.” My career has blessed me with many “firsts,” and the staff at CLERC offered me yet another first: protecting the streets of a small Texas town with a CLERC Hydroscaph H1 strapped to my wrist. Within no time, the H1 found itself covered in mud, sweat, rain, blood and even tears; all of which were met with unshakable confidence, strength and grace, as if this timepiece had found its purpose. A purpose to “be more” than it was designed for. And for two weeks, the CLERC was not only a watch I had been provided to test out, but instead it became a faithful partner.

CLERC, which is pronounced ‘Claire’ (silent second C), was founded in 1874, and since its inception, the brand has prided itself in developing timepieces that are as unique as those that have adorned them. The Hydroscaph H1 is no exception, as its styling and design is a welcomed departure from the sport watch norm.

CLERC Hydroscaph H1 Specs:

• Case Diameter: 48mm
• Bezel Diameter: 43.8mm
• Case Height: 15.5 mm
• Lug Size: 20mm
• Lug to Lug: 51mm to 56.5mm due to articulating lugs
• Strap: Vulcanized Rubber
• Movement: COSC C609 Automatic (28,800 BPH)
• Crystal: Glare-Proofed Sapphire Crystal
• Water Resistance: 500m/ 1640ft
• Retail Price: $5,900.00 USD

The H1 arrived timely at my doorstep, and it was very well packaged to say the least. While the exterior was the commonplace brown box, ‘the goods’ were wrapped, wrapped and then wrapped again to ensure that the box’s contents would travel safely nestled in hundreds of cushiony pockets of air. As my excitement grew, so did the fervor in which I attacked the unboxing of a timepiece I could only have dreamt of wearing. After setting the bubble wrap aside for future enjoyment, I located a square matte black box with the CLERC logo, Genève and the brands birthdate embossed at its center. Within the box, a two-piece hinged wooden box emerged, and at its center, the CLERC logo, only this time it was bigger than life. With the push of a button, the latch gave way and the blue dialed CLERC Hydroscaph H1 appeared. Undoubtedly a dive watch, but it was funky, cool, and unlike anything I had ever seen. The smell of the vulcanized rubber strap saturated my immediate space; a smell that would continue to liven my senses, even when my on-the-job surroundings did their best to override them in the most nauseating of ways.

Every aspect of the box screamed ‘quality,’ and as a standalone object, it could be a review unto itself.

The H1’s dial is matte blue, which is a spot on match to the blue vulcanized rubber strap. This color scheme was purposely sent to me by CLERC in honor of the men and women that make up the ‘thin blue line.’ The intensely lumed 3 dimensional sloped markers stand tall within the dial, which adds some serious depth to the overall design (pun intended). This was one of the features I relied on the most while on patrol since I work night shift for five months out of the year.