Deep Dive into Heritage: The IANOS Dytis Watch

IANOS has quickly made waves by delivering timepieces that blend robust, utilitarian design with a deep, authentic connection to Greek history, particularly the rich legacy of sponge diving. Following the well-received Mihanikos and Avyssos, they now complete their diving trilogy with the IANOS Dytis Watch. This isn’t just another diver; it’s the culmination of lessons learned and stories told through its predecessors, presenting IANOS’s unique vision of a modern, capable diver that remains true to its primary objective of honouring Greek heritage. The Dytis maintains that unmistakable IANOS design DNA, pulling elements from both the Avyssos and the Mihanikos, but meticulously redesigning every aspect to create its own distinct identity and become what they describe as the perfect diving companion.

One of the key evolutions in the Dytis is a direct response to feedback from their supporters: size. The Dytis features a re-designed evolution of the beloved Mihanikos case but comes in as their smallest watch yet. At 41mm in diameter and 49mm lug-to-lug, the matte case strikes a perfect balance, offering strong wrist presence without feeling oversized – truly hitting a sweet spot for a wide range of wrist sizes.

The curved lugs hug the wrist, further decreasing the perceived footprint. The bezel, also crafted from titanium and slightly tweaked for enhanced grip, maintains that clean, sterile look that keeps the focus squarely on the bold dial beneath. Engineered with utility and wearability top of mind, the Dytis features fixed lugs redesigned for increased structural integrity and straightforward strap changes, ensuring it’s ready to accompany you in any situation.

The dial is where the Dytis truly shines, acting as a canvas that instantly reflects IANOS’s journey into Greek diving tradition while being undeniably contemporary. Available in two striking colours – blue and white – the dials are bold and beautiful, representing Greece’s past, present, and personal diving memories. The blue dial is the exact vibrant shade of the Greek flag, its richness beautifully contrasted by crisp white indexes that enhance readability.

The white dial, conversely, draws inspiration from the world-famous whitewashed buildings of the Greek islands, offering a fresh, bold aesthetic that is sure to stand out. Unique index markers further deepen the connection: the 12-hour marker is replaced by four horizontal lines echoing the Greek flag, while the other hour markers are modelled after the hand-carved kampanelopetra diving stones. Perhaps most captivating is the small seconds mechanism, designed as a double-edged “evil eye” – a timeless Greek symbol of protection used for millennia, serving as a visual reminder of the unbroken bond with ancestral customs and also functioning as a double index for quick confirmation that the watch is running.

IANOS built the Dytis with absolute capability in mind, aiming to cover any needs you might have from a diver watch by making it as light and strong as possible. This is achieved through the extensive use of Grade 2 Titanium for the case, bezel, crown, and strap buckle. Renowned for being 45% lighter than stainless steel, titanium is incredibly comfortable for all-day wear, seemingly disappearing on the wrist, while offering exceptional durability and high resistance to seawater corrosion, making it the perfect material for a watch exposed to harsh marine environments.

The shot-blasted titanium finish enhances its utilitarian character, creating a non-reflective, matte surface that reduces glare. Paired with a high-quality, customised single-pass rubber strap featuring a sponge texture inside for ideal fit and comfort, the Dytis is ready for action. Delivering a solid 300 meters (30 ATM) of water resistance thanks to the screw-down titanium crown and sapphire crystal, the Dytis provides total peace of mind whether you’re diving deep or just lounging poolside.

At its heart beats the reliable Swiss Sellita SW360-1 automatic movement, offering robust performance and precision. With its raised 3D luminous indexes providing ample light in dark conditions, the IANOS Dytis Watch, available for CHF 1850, is a truly unique, capable, and thoughtfully designed diver that beautifully marries modern utility with deep-rooted Greek history.


Leo Davie