The realm of watchmaking has long been a confluence of art, engineering, and legacy. Few brands encapsulate this as seamlessly as Circula, a name deeply rooted in the horological heritage of Pforzheim, Germany. In a world where innovation often overshadows tradition,
Circula stands as a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship, continuously weaving stories of precision and passion into each timepiece. The ProFlight collection, a tribute to aviation's golden age, is a prime example of this ethos, and the latest addition, the ProFlight Anthracite, is poised to further solidify Circula's reputation for creating watches that transcend mere timekeeping.
Circula's journey began in 1955 when Heinz Huber, a visionary entrepreneur, established the brand in the heart of Pforzheim, a city renowned for its rich watchmaking history. Huber's unwavering commitment to quality and innovation quickly propelled Circula to prominence. The brand's early creations, characterized by their distinctive designs and reliable movements, resonated with watch enthusiasts and collectors alike. Circula's dedication to pushing boundaries while honoring tradition established a legacy that continues to inspire the brand's modern endeavors.
Courtesy of Circula
In the 1960s, Circula solidified its position in the watchmaking world with the introduction of its iconic dive watches. These timepieces, known for their robust construction and exceptional water resistance, became synonymous with adventure and exploration. Circula's dive watches accompanied intrepid explorers on daring underwater expeditions, further cementing the brand's reputation for creating watches that could withstand the most demanding conditions.
As the decades passed, Circula continued to evolve, adapting to changing trends while staying true to its core values. The brand's commitment to using high-quality materials, Swiss movements, and meticulous craftsmanship remained unwavering. In recent years, Circula has experienced a resurgence, captivating a new generation of watch enthusiasts with its vintage-inspired designs and modern interpretations of classic timepieces.
The ProFlight collection, launched in 2019, is a testament to Circula's ability to blend heritage with contemporary aesthetics. Inspired by the pilot watches of the mid-20th century, the ProFlight series pays homage to the era of aviation pioneers and their indispensable timekeeping companions. The collection's inaugural models quickly garnered acclaim for their faithful adherence to historical design cues, robust construction, and exceptional functionality.
Courtesy of Circula
The ProFlight Anthracite, the latest iteration in this esteemed lineage, builds upon the collection's established strengths while introducing subtle refinements that elevate its appeal. The watch's most striking feature is its eponymous anthracite dial, a deep, charcoal-gray hue that exudes a sense of understated sophistication. The dial's matte finish enhances legibility, ensuring that the time can be read at a glance, even in challenging lighting conditions.
The ProFlight Anthracite's indices and hands, filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova, provide exceptional luminescence, ensuring that the watch remains legible even in low-light environments. The circular structure at the dial's center, a nod to the rotating propeller of a vintage aircraft, adds a touch of whimsy to the watch's otherwise utilitarian design. The individually designed numerals, meticulously crafted for optimal clarity, echo the design codes of the case, creating a harmonious visual language that speaks to the watch's meticulous attention to detail.
The ProFlight Anthracite's case, forged from 316L stainless steel, is a masterpiece of engineering and aesthetics. Its hand-sandblasted finish imparts a rugged yet refined texture that is both visually appealing and tactilely satisfying. The case's faceted design, with its interplay of angles and curves, adds depth and dimension, catching the light in captivating ways. The watch's anti-magnetic properties, achieved through a soft-iron cage surrounding the movement, ensure that its accuracy remains unaffected by external magnetic fields, a crucial consideration for pilots and other professionals who rely on precise timekeeping.
The ProFlight Anthracite's crown, knurled for easy grip and embossed with the Circula logo, is a testament to the brand's commitment to functionality. The crown screws down securely, ensuring the watch's water resistance to a depth of 150 meters, making it suitable for a wide range of activities, from swimming to diving. The crown's luminous filling, a subtle yet practical detail, further enhances the watch's legibility in low-light conditions.
Courtesy of Circula
The ProFlight Anthracite's movement, a Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré grade automatic caliber, is a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to quality. This Swiss-made movement, renowned for its reliability and precision, ensures that the watch keeps accurate time, day in and day out. The movement's 38-hour power reserve ensures that the watch will continue to run even when not worn for extended periods, a convenience that frequent travelers will appreciate.
The ProFlight Anthracite's strap options further enhance its versatility. The watch comes standard with a nylon sailcloth strap, a durable and comfortable choice that complements the watch's rugged aesthetic. The strap's quick-release spring bars allow for easy interchangeability, enabling wearers to personalize the watch to their liking. For those who prefer a more refined look, a stainless-steel bracelet is also available. The bracelet's solid construction and milled clasp ensure a secure and comfortable fit, while its quick-release system allows for effortless swapping between strap options.
The dial of the ProFlight Anthracite is a study in contrasts. Its deep, charcoal-gray hue, reminiscent of the anthracite coal that inspired its name, exudes a sense of understated sophistication. The dial's matte finish, achieved through a meticulous sandblasting process, enhances legibility, ensuring that the time can be read at a glance, even in challenging lighting conditions. The individually designed numerals, meticulously crafted for optimal clarity, echo the design codes of the case, creating a harmonious visual language that speaks to the watch's meticulous attention to detail.
The ProFlight Anthracite's indices and hands, filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova, provide exceptional luminescence, ensuring that the watch remains legible even in low-light environments. The circular structure at the dial's center, a nod to the rotating propeller of a vintage aircraft, adds a touch of whimsy to the watch's otherwise utilitarian design. This subtle detail, barely noticeable at first glance, reveals itself upon closer inspection, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to the watch's overall aesthetic.
Courtesy of Circula
The ProFlight Anthracite's case, forged from 316L stainless steel, is a marvel of engineering and aesthetics. Its hand-sandblasted finish imparts a rugged yet refined texture that is both visually appealing and tactilely satisfying. The case's faceted design, with its interplay of angles and curves, adds depth and dimension, catching the light in captivating ways. The watch's 40mm diameter strikes a perfect balance between wearability and presence, making it suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes.
The ProFlight Anthracite's screw-down crown, knurled for easy grip and embossed with the Circula logo, is a testament to the brand's commitment to functionality. The crown screws down securely, ensuring the watch's water resistance to a depth of 150 meters, making it suitable for a wide range of activities, from swimming to diving. The crown's luminous filling, a subtle yet practical detail, further enhances the watch's legibility in low-light conditions.
The ProFlight Anthracite's movement, a Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré grade automatic caliber, is a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to quality. This Swiss-made movement, renowned for its reliability and precision, ensures that the watch keeps accurate time, day in and day out. The movement's 38-hour power reserve ensures that the watch will continue to run even when not worn for extended periods, a convenience that frequent travelers will appreciate.
The ProFlight Anthracite's strap options further enhance its versatility. The watch comes standard with a nylon sailcloth strap, a durable and comfortable choice that complements the watch's rugged aesthetic. The strap's quick-release spring bars allow for easy interchangeability, enabling wearers to personalize the watch to their liking. For those who prefer a more refined look, a stainless-steel bracelet is also available for an additional cost. The bracelet's solid construction and milled clasp ensure a secure and comfortable fit, while its quick-release system allows for effortless swapping between strap options.
Courtesy of Circula
The ProFlight Anthracite is not just a timepiece; it's a companion for adventurers, a symbol of precision engineering, and a tribute to the rich history of aviation. With its striking design, robust construction, and exceptional functionality, this watch is poised to become a cherished heirloom, passed down through generations.
Whether you're a seasoned watch collector or a newcomer to the world of horology, the ProFlight Anthracite is sure to captivate your imagination. Its unique blend of vintage-inspired aesthetics and modern technology makes it a true standout in the crowded field of pilot watches. With its retail price of €864.71, the ProFlight Anthracite offers exceptional value for its quality and craftsmanship.