In this first installment of our Hydroscaph Close-up Series, we take a closer look at the watch’s flagship “circle in the square” case design. It’s a combination of a perfect circle in a perfect square shape.

This is one of the most identifiable – and unique – aspects of the Hydroscaph for both the Central Chrono and the H1 version. Creator Gérald Clerc came up with this idea many years ago and it has become a proprietary CLERC hallmark ever since.

If you stare at the watch directly head-on, you observe what is essentially a circular bezel. However, the bezel is also beveled at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions giving it a square appearance when the light hits just right. These four little details make the case construction quite a bit more complex – not that the 103-piece case isn’t already sophisticated to say the least!

But it’s exactly those kinds of unique details that make the Hydroscaph like no other in the world.

What’s your favorite Hydroscaph detail? Show us on Instagram, tell us on Twitter of Facebook, or email it to us at openwater@clercwatches.wpengine.com.