Some watches tell the time. Others give you a miniature art gallery on your wrist. UNDONE’s new Aquadeep The Great Wave aims to do both, bringing one of Japan’s most recognisable works of art into the world of contemporary dive watches, with a striking three dimensional dial and a rather generous helping of gold leaf.
Following the sell out of the original The Wave Forward edition, UNDONE is returning to the artistic world of Japanese master Katsushika Hokusai with a fresh take on his legendary woodblock print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa. The new release retains the spirit of the original while introducing a more colourful design, refined details and a dial that takes centre stage for all the right reasons.
A Wave Of Gold
The headline act is undoubtedly the dial. Rather than simply printing Hokusai’s famous crashing wave onto the surface, UNDONE has given the artwork a more tactile treatment, with hand applied gold leaf beneath an embossed, three dimensional wave.
The result is a dial with genuine depth and texture, designed to catch the light differently as the watch moves. The naturally irregular finish of the gold leaf means the surface has an organic quality, while the raised wave creates a sense of movement that a conventional printed dial simply cannot replicate.
A cream coloured dial background provides contrast for the gold detailing, while blue applied hour markers and an orange minute hand add splashes of colour. There is also a cream date wheel at three o’clock, keeping the display practical without stealing too much attention from the main attraction.
Deep Blue With A Twist
The 43.5mm case comes finished in IP blue, paired with a matching ceramic dive bezel for a cohesive look. It is a bold combination, but one that makes sense given the subject matter. After all, a watch inspired by one of the world's most famous depictions of the sea was never likely to arrive dressed in beige and pretending to be subtle.
Flip the watch over and the artistic details continue. A Grade 2 titanium caseback provides a view of the automatic movement, while the rotor carries the wave motif and gold detailing in IP blue plating. Each watch also features its own limited edition number printed on the caseback glass, giving owners a personal connection to the production run.
Power comes from the familiar Japanese NH35 automatic movement, a well established choice in the affordable mechanical watch world. It might not be the most exotic engine in the business, but it is a sensible fit for a watch that puts its artistic personality firmly front and centre.
Two Straps, Two Personalities
UNDONE supplies two 22mm straps in the box, giving the Aquadeep The Great Wave a little extra versatility. The first is a blue IP finished Milanese mesh bracelet, offering a more refined appearance that works particularly well with the blue case.
For a more relaxed look, the navy Cordura textile strap brings a practical, lightweight alternative. It gives the watch a more traditional tool watch feel and should make switching between smart and casual outfits considerably easier.
The complete package also includes a Great Wave tote bag and a lint free watch cloth. These two extras are offered free to the first 100 subscribers who go on to purchase the watch, according to UNDONE's launch page.
A Familiar Story, Reimagined
There is a fine line between a watch that uses artwork as a marketing gimmick and one that makes a genuine effort to translate it into a wearable design. The Aquadeep The Great Wave appears to be aiming for the latter, with its hand applied gold leaf, raised dial construction and matching movement decoration helping the theme feel more considered than a simple graphic printed on a watch face.
The 43.5mm case will not be for everyone, particularly those who prefer their dive watches on the smaller side. However, the combination of the blue finish, textured gold dial and interchangeable straps gives this release a distinctive identity in a crowded market.
For collectors who missed out on the original The Wave Forward, this second interpretation offers another opportunity to enjoy UNDONE's collaboration inspired by Hokusai's enduring masterpiece, with a fresh aesthetic that feels more decorative and expressive.
Specifications
Movement: Japanese NH35 automatic
Case: 43.5mm, IP blue finish
Bezel: IP blue ceramic dive bezel
Dial: Embossed three dimensional Great Wave design with hand applied gold leaf
Crystal back: Printed glass with individual limited edition numbering
Caseback: Grade 2 titanium with UV printed rotor
Hands: Black and orange, with white lume
Crown: Screw down, black titanium DLC finish
Straps: Blue IP finished Milanese mesh and navy Cordura textile, both 22mm
Additional items: Great Wave tote bag and lint free watch cloth
Price: To be confirmed for UK buyers
Winding Things Up
UNDONE has taken a familiar dive watch formula and given it a distinctly artistic twist. The Aquadeep The Great Wave combines a dependable Japanese automatic movement with a richly textured gold leaf dial, a blue ceramic bezel and a caseback that carries the theme through to the movement itself.
Whilst this Great Wave design has been used on a few watches over the past few years, it is not trying to be another anonymous diver that disappears into a sea of black dials and steel bracelets. Instead, it wears its inspiration proudly, with enough detail to reward a closer look and enough colour to make it stand out from the crowd.
Pricing, the final production quantity and the confirmed launch date were not stated in the launch information reviewed, so prospective buyers will need to keep an eye on UNDONE's official launch announcements for the full details.
