If you are searching for a replica hippocampus, you are almost certainly after the dive watch whose caseback carries the seahorse medallion, the emblem that has marked one of Switzerland's best-known dive lines since the late 1950s. The hippocampus is the detail collectors zoom in on first, and it is also the detail that separates a convincing replica from a cheap imitation. This short guide explains what the emblem means, what a well-made example should include, and what to check when the parcel arrives.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for the 2016 Hippocampus Clone Watch
Key Features
- Hippocampus (seahorse) medallion on the caseback, stamped or engraved in raised relief
- Unidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute dive scale and firm click-stop action
- Screw-down caseback and crown for genuine water resistance
- Luminous hour markers and hands that charge quickly and glow evenly in low light
- Automatic mechanical movement with sweeping seconds and a roughly 40-hour power reserve
- Choice of stainless steel bracelet, rubber strap or leather band with matching end links
- Case sizes from about 38 mm to 42 mm to suit different wrists
- Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating for a clear, glare-free dial
Materials and Specifications
Cases are cut from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, the alloy used across the Swiss industry, then finished with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The bezel insert is usually ceramic or anodised aluminium, both of which resist fading far better than printed plastic. Inside, a Japanese or Swiss automatic movement drives the hands, and the crystal is sapphire rather than mineral glass. Water resistance depends on the gaskets and the screw-down fittings, so a properly assembled hippocampus replica is generally safe for swimming and snorkelling, while the higher ratings suit recreational diving.
Orders ship within one to two business days in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing on the outside describing the contents. Delivery typically takes seven to fourteen days depending on destination, and tracking is provided for every parcel. If the watch does not suit you, most sellers accept returns within thirty days of delivery as long as the protective film and tags are intact, so inspect everything as soon as the box arrives.
What does the hippocampus on a watch caseback mean?
The hippocampus is the Greek sea-horse, a mythical creature with a horse's forequarters and a fish's tail. Watchmakers adopted it as a symbol of the sea, and it has decorated the casebacks of one of Switzerland's leading dive watches since the late 1950s, serving as both a seal and a signature.
Is a replica hippocampus watch actually waterproof?
A well-built example with a screw-down crown and caseback will handle rain, hand-washing and swimming without trouble. Avoid turning the crown or pressing anything while the watch is wet, and have the gaskets checked every year or two if you wear it in the water regularly.
What should I check when the watch arrives?
Look at the medallion first: the seahorse should be crisp, centred and evenly raised. Then confirm the bezel clicks firmly in one direction only, the crown screws down smoothly, and the date changes cleanly at midnight.