The Hanhart Aquasphere Ocean Fade is the Aquasphere with a glow up, if you will. When I reviewed the original, I couldn’t the fact that a brand that was mainly known for military style pilot and field watches had finally made a true dive watch, as I unabashedly love dive watches. The Aquasphere was a big leap for the brand. I mean, let’s face it, not only is there no shortage of dive watches available, but Hanhart, while a popular niche brand, was stepping outside its niche. The good news is, many others and I agreed that they pulled it off, and made a somewhat unique dive watch while still being distinctly Hanhart. The Ocean Fade model takes it a bit further, with a gradient blue to black dial, adding the option of a black bezel, and the lume has been upgraded as well. The movement has been changed to the Soprod P024, and the one I have in hand has the newer fitted rubber strap.
The Hanhart Aquasphere Ocean Fade isn’t a new model, but it’s not just a dial and bezel color change that I assumed it was. The case is identical to the Free Fall Blue version I reviewed in 2024, and the dial layout does remain the same, but the lume has been upgraded, and the movement is now the Soprod P024. Hanhart didn’t tell me prior to sending the watch that the movement was changed, nor the reasoning, but I am going to guess it was one or the other: cost or supply issues. It’s still a 300m dive watch, still has a helium release valve, and a 60 click unidirectional rotating bezel, and the case design is quirky but not over-designed.
Beyond the movement, the gradient dial of the Hanhart Aqausphere Ocean Fade is the other big change. It’s a very well-done gradient dial, and Ocean Fade is an appropriate name, as that’s exactly what it looks like. The paint has a finish that I can’t seem to accurately describe. It’s not a texture, but there are little speckles throughout the dial, and it very much mimics murky ocean waters. The dial isn’t gimmicked either, no silhouettes of fish or sharks (they saved the fish for the case back), no wave patterns or bubbles, just a well-executed gradient. The massive indices and number 12 stand out from the dial, as do the unique tipped sword hand design, and it’s extremely easy to read as a dive watch should be. Like the previous version, it’s still a no-date dial (and movement).
The bezel and crown have not changed, but you can get it as shown with the black ceramic insert (blue is also available), which I do think really adds to the look of this gradient dial. While I haven’t seen the blue bezel version in person, I think the black bezel gives the watch a different vibe, and it also clearly distinguishes it from the all-blue Free Fall model. Both the bezel and crown still have that great tactile feel to them, both are easy to grip and turn, and while the bezel is only 60 clicks, it really is one of the most satisfying bezels I think I have ever turned, and there is zero play in any direction.
The lume has been upgraded as well. It’s still C1 green lume, but now it’s X2 GL Super-LumiNova, one of the most powerful lume compounds available currently. It shows as well, and the lume on the dial and hands is fantastic, but I find the bezel stencil lume to be a little sloppy. I love the look of the stencil numbers and markers, but feel they could be engraved deeper, allowing for better lume application. Still, it is improved over the original Free Fall Blue model I reviewed.
When the Aquasphere debuted, you could order it with a bracelet (a very solid and attractive bracelet that was just lacking an on-the-fly adjustable clasp) or a textile hook strap. Now it’s available with a fitted FKM rubber strap (as is the Fly Navy) in either blue or black. The strap is branded, with the Hanhart logo split between the two straps, and while I don’t always care for over-branding, I will say I like the way this was done, and it’s not overly noticeable when wearing it. It fits perfectly in the case, uses two quick-release prongs to easily attach and remove the strap, and has a wonderful deployant buckle that uses prongs to attach to the strap, and the strap slides in and under. The clasp is beautiful as well, more ornate than I was expecting, and has the red marker that matches the red on the bezel pip.
On the wrist, the Hanhart Aquasphere Ocean Fade looks and feels great and while it is a 42mm case and that is large for some these days, I find it perfect on my 7 1/2 inch or 19.05cm wrist and while I have been wearing a lot of 40 and 41mm watches this past year, it does not feel large or chunky at all. As a matter of fact, I love how it’s barely 13mm thick, while still being 300m water resistant, and it sits flat on my wrist, while the curved lugs hug it as well.
If you go with the rubber strap, make sure you give it some time to conform to your wrist. This sounds a little odd, but once I dialed in where to put the buckle prongs for my wrist size, so it wouldn’t be too loose or tight, I still felt the strap itself was a little too thin, with such a big case and a heavy buckle. But after a few hours of wearing it, it conformed to my wrist, and at just 130 grams on the wrist, it really lightens it up compared to the bracelet.
One thing of note I found odd is that you can’t get the black bezel Ocean Fade with a blue rubber strap. You can get it with a blue Hook strap (as I believe it’s the only color they make that strap in currently, at least that will fit this Aquasphere), but if you want a blue rubber strap with the black bezel, that option is not readily available. I am not sure if you messaged or requested in notes when ordering if they could swap it out, and while I think it looks perfect with the black strap and bezel, it’s odd that the option isn’t there.
The Hanhart Aquasphere Ocean Fade is essentially a new dial color and bezel option, but I personally like this gradient dial with the black bezel over the original Free Fall blue. Of course, the movement has changed, and I am sure that will anger some, but I haven’t experienced any issues with this Soprod P024 (nor the many other watches I have reviewed with this movement). The lume has been upgraded, and if you are a fan of rubber straps on dive watches like I am, you’ll probably like this on the new fitted rubber.
I’m still a big fan of the Aquasphere. I love the case shape and overall design, and I hope they continue to produce these dive watches (and tweak them here and there) for years to come. I do wonder, though, when we will see other dial colors. While the blues and the gradient blue to black colors are nice, I would love to see a solid black dial, an orange dial, and think this would look amazing with an olive green dial, with a black bezel and black strap. What dial colors would you like to see Hanhart produce?
Overall, it’s another solid option in the sea of dive watches available, and I like it even more now with the rubber strap. It’s nice to see they are starting to upgrade this model so recently after its debut.
I've been an avid watch lover since the age of 7. Watches are not only my hobby but a passion. My favorite style used to be dive watches, but field or non bezel watches have been growing on me. When I'm not reviewing watches I am either cooking or with family and friends.
