Elka Watch Co., the independent Swiss watch brand re-launched by Hakim El Kadiri, is proud to announce the debut of Arinis x Loch Lãt. This new dive watch is the result of an exceptional collaboration, blending Swiss watchmaking precision with the rich millennia-old heritage of Saint-Blaise. It pays tribute to the ancient feats of the Romans and the civilizations that shaped the shores of Lake Neuchâtel.
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More than 2,000 years ago, in 80 BCE, the Roman Empire quarried stones from Arinis (the ancient name for Saint-Blaise) to build Aventicum, its future Helvetian capital. For a decade, ten barges a day transported sandstone across the lake, a monumental feat of ancient engineering. Centuries earlier, around 2600 BCE, the Wheel of Saint-Blaise – one of the oldest wheels ever discovered – already testified to the ingenuity of local civilizations. Today, this ancestral wheel is the symbol of Loch Lãt Whisky, named after a small lake nestled in Saint-Blaise.
“Arinis x Loch Lãt is much more than a watch; it’s a tangible link to history,” says Hakim El Kadiri, founder of Elka Watch Co. “We wanted to create a timepiece that captures the spirit of these ancient engineers. Its amber hues reflect both the nuances of the whisky and the color of the stones transported by Roman barges. Its robust design embodies the resilience and durability rooted in Saint-Blaise’s history. It’s the perfect union between Arinis’s heritage and Loch Lãt’s soul.”
Arinis x Loch Lãt: When a dive watch dons amber, history meets precision.
Key Technical Specifications:
- Caliber: La Joux Perret G100 automatic (4 Hz / 28’800 A/h), with stop-second function and an impressive 68-hour power reserve.
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds.
- Case: 41 mm diameter in 1.4404 steel, 11.85 mm thick, 46.50 mm lug-to-lug.
- Bezel: Unidirectional rotating (120 positions) with a ceramic insert filled with Superluminova.
- Crown & Case Back: Screw-down in stainless steel for enhanced security.
- Hands: Brushed nickel, filled with Superluminova for optimal readability.
- Crystal: “Chevé box” type sapphire crystal, scratch-resistant, with anti-reflective treatment on one side.
- Water Resistance: 200 meters / 20 bars, ideal for diving and water activities.
About Elka Watch Co. and Hakim El Kadiri:
Elka Watch Co. is an independent Swiss watch brand, re-launched in 2022 by Hakim El Kadiri, who previously held senior development positions at several Swatch Group brands, including Rado, Hamilton, Endura, and Swatch. The brand draws on a rich watchmaking heritage, as Elka was founded in 1877 by Edouard Louis Kiek in Amsterdam (hence the acronym Elka). Kiek was notably the watchmaker to Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. Elka Watch distinguishes itself with its neo-vintage Swiss watches, which are elegant and minimalist, drawing inspiration from this long history and a product philosophy focused on creating objects designed to last a lifetime.
Elka Watch’s motto today is “Form Follows Function,” reflecting a design approach where aesthetics serve utility and durability. The brand aims to create high-quality, unique, and timeless watches, reminiscent of the pure and colorful aesthetic of the 1960s. The case shapes of several models are inspired by pocket watches, seeking to create an “organic” and pleasant-to-touch object.
