The New Archimèdes by Milus “Silver Storm” Edition

The concept of the compressor or super-compressor watch, due to its cool and technical design, is certainly very appealing, even though relatively rare nowadays in the Swiss watch industry. Only a few brands continue to manufacture such water-tight watches. Among them is a brand that has recently resurfaced with a collection of modernized watches inspired by glorious past timepieces, Milus and its Archimèdes watch. Following gradient grey or blue inaugural editions, followed by a cool green model, the brand is now returning with a technical and cool silver version. Meet the new Archimèdes by Milus “Silver Storm” edition. 

As already explained in previous articles, “the fluid-tight compressor or super-compressor technology was patented during the 1950s, by Ervin Piquerez SA, a famous watch case manufacturer from Bassecourt, in the Swiss Jura. Cases equipped with this technology have given birth to iconic dive watches across many brands, including Jaeger-LeCoultre, Hamilton, Longines, or Bulova. The most famous compressor EPSA cases had a dual-crown style, one to wind the movement and set the time (and the date, if any), the other to operate the internal rotating bezel. This distinctive look remains highly popular with dive watch aficionados.”

Named upon the ancient Greek mathematician, physicist and inventor, famous for his principle applying on a body immersed in a fluid, the Archimèdes by Milus story goes back to the 1960s, in particular, the model 666, water-resistant up to 666 feet. This watch has been the inspiration for a modern re-creation, with a clear 1960s/1970s style, yet with modern technologies inside and sharper design outside, the Archimèdes by Milus. After the green version of last year, the brand is now presenting the “Silver Storm” edition, which is… silver-coloured.

The modern Archimèdes by Milus might be inspired by past super-compressor watches, it remains a watch of its times. As such, the case retains the classic architecture and visual appeal of these vintage models, with an ultra-wide dial aperture and thin bezel, elongated lugs, the indispensable two crowns and an internal rotating bezel. Still, it is now water-resistant to 1,000 feet or 300 metres, thanks to its screw-down crowns and caseback. To complete the dive specifications, the watch is also fitted with a Helium Relief Valve visible at 9 o’clock.

The dimensions of the case have also been updated, the new Archimèdes by Milus being now 41mm in diameter, yet with a relatively restrained height of 11.9mm. The case is nicely finished with brushed surfaces and polished accents, a bevelled sapphire crystal on top and an overall pleasant feeling of robustness. On the wrist, the watch has a certain presence due to the combination of the wide opening, light-coloured dial and relatively long lugs – which are, thankfully, well curved for improved comfort.

The main specificity of this edition lies in its colour scheme. While all other previous models were dark-coloured, this one comes with a vertically-brushed silver rhodium dial with metallic reflections. Surely, watch enthusiasts are more used to dark dials on dive watches, yet there’s something always rather cool in a reversed colour scheme… Sure, contrast is not as optimal but the look is very cool, admittedly. The rest of the dial’s elements have been updated too, such as the silver brushed inner rotating bezel, with its Royal blue 60-minute diving scale. We find back the oversized broad arrow handset with lollipop seconds hand, large hour markers and Arabic numerals. All the elements are largely filled with Super-LumiNova. A date is positioned at 3 o’clock, as it was the case on the vintage edition.

Under the screwed caseback is a well-known, ubiquitous movement, the ETA 2892-A2, here presented in its top grade version. This automatic Swiss calibre beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and its power reserve is of 42 hours when fully wound.

Matching some accents of the dial, the Archimèdes by Milus “Silver Storm” is worn on a blue tropic-style rubber strap, closed by a steel pin buckle.

Availability & Price

The Archimèdes by Milus “Silver Storm” edition is now available from the brand’s website here. The watch is priced at CHF 1,919 (incl. taxes), the same price as other editions of this cool vintagey super-compressor watch.

For more details, please visit milus.com.