Call me a sucker for dive watches, but I think this new “español” diver from Franc Vila is pretty cool. This is, in fact, the new-for-2015 Franc Vila Intrepido Diver Superligero FVi62 and, in addition to being the brand’s first dive watch, is really intense to pronounce. For me, the Franc Vila brand is really all about the fun of Spanish. Founder Mr. Franc Vila is a Spaniard, even though the watches are Swiss Made. Vila himself is one of the most pleasurable people to listen to speak, as his particular form of Spanish-accent-based speaking is perhaps difficult to understand at times, but endlessly entertaining. My hat off to a man who started a watch company out of passion and has kept it going with effort.
“Intrepido!” is a word I could just keep saying again and again given how nicely it rolls off the tongue. It is, of course, the first part of the name for the Franc Vila Intrepido Diver Superligero FVi62 watch collection that debuts with four variants that mix dial accent and case coloring. So let’s check out what is Franc Vila’s first dive watch – and intrepido dive watch to boot.
One of the design elements that makes the Franc Vila Intrepido Diver Superligero FVi62 watch unique is the partial skeletonization of the dial with a view to what I believe is part of the big date mechanism. You just really don’t see stuff like that on dive watches, and its inclusion is interesting to say the least. Purists will complain that it disrupts the pure legibility of the dial as this is meant to be a diver, but this isn’t a purist’s watch, nor is it trying to be one. This and all other watches of its ilk are trying to be different, and I appreciate that. In addition to its unique design, the Franc Vila Intrepido Diver Superligero FVi62 is still reasonably legible.
It appears as though the hands on the dial are transparent and painted with lume. I am not sure what material they are made out of, but this design concept could be either amazing or awful in execution. On the plus side, the hands material looks to be very light so that the hands can be wider, but I am concerned that they will be too hard to read on the dial. Given the rarity of hands like this, I will hold off on a final determination until I see one of these Franc Vila Intrepido Diver Superligero FVi62 watches in person.
In addition to the time, the dial has a big date indicator as well as a power reserve indicator. I am a huge fan of dive watches that have power reserve indicators on them because it is not only useful but safe when it comes to knowing how much power is in your watch before a dive – this is especially true if you want to use your watch as a backup timer versus just something cool to look at while under water.
Powering the watch is a movement that Franc Vila calls the caliber FV 62. Something interesting about the movement is that, apparently, it is produced with bridges and plates that are “Lightnium.” Yes, Lightnium, an alloy of aluminum and lithium which is supposed to be really hard and light. On top of that, the Lightnium bridges are supposed to be colored in red. Let’s just hope it also looks cool. The movement operates at 4Hz with a power reserve of 48 hours.
Those familiar with Franc Vila will notice the familiar case design which has been modified and evolved a bit here. I think he originally called this case design the “Cobra,” and you can still see an interesting shape which is oblong and beefed up a bit for its 300-meter water resistant dive watch purpose. Produced in titanium (either brushed or with black DLC coating), the case also has an automatic helium release valve as well as a locking system for the rotating bezel. The locking system is operated via the left crown, while the lower right crown is used to rotate the inner rotating diver’s bezel.
On the wrist, because the Intrepido Diver Superligero is wider than it is tall, it should wear boldly but not unmanageably. Given the chunky look that many dive watches are known for having, this diver’s watch use of the core Franc Vila design aesthetic feels particularly appropriate. Dimensions are 57mm wide, 53mm tall, and 15mm thick. It should be rather light for the size, though.
In addition to the natural titanium or black DLC-coated titanium case, the Franc Vila Intrepido Diver Superligero FVi62 is available (in both case styles) with either blue or red dial accents. The strap is rubber, and custom for Franc Vila watches. Of course, this is a unique design as part of a unique brand, but I genuinely like Franc Vila’s first diver, even though I understand it will always be a niche appeal timepiece. Price is certainly on the more “exclusive” side, with the Franc Vila Intrepido Diver Superligero FVi62 being $15,000 in titanium and $16,500 in DLC black titanium. francvila.com