Isotope is paying tribute to champion ice diver Johanna Nordblad with its new limited edition timepiece.
The Isotope Hydrium Pro is limited to 100 pieces and it’s the first of a series of Hrydrium PRO watches, exceeding specifications above ISO 6425, the official certification to be considered a Divers watch.
The watch case is made of sandblasted 316L stainless steel and was designed in the United Kingdom and Finland, in collaboration with Johanna Nordblad and expertly assembled in Switzerland.
Johanna’s journey began in 1997 when she first tried scuba diving. Although she enjoyed it, she quickly fell in love with freediving after joining the first freediving club in Finland in 2000. She went on to compete in the World Championships that same year.
In 2004, Johanna broke a world record in Dynamic Apnea, and her passion for freediving only grew from there.
However, in 2010, Johanna suffered a severe leg injury that required a fasciotomy and left her using crutches for almost a year. The nerve pain she experienced was so intense that she woke up almost every night for three years.
It was during this difficult time that Johanna discovered the healing powers of cold water. At first, the cold was painful, but eventually, she found that it was the only place where she could find relief from her leg pain.
She also discovered that the feeling of cold water was similar to the relaxation she experienced while freediving.
As a result, Johanna became fascinated with the idea of combining cold water and freediving. She began practising in the most extreme conditions she could imagine, including under ice.
In 2015, Johanna broke the Women’s World Record by diving under ice wearing only a swimming suit. She swam an impressive fifty meters from one hole in the ice to another.
Then, in March 2021, Johanna accomplished the incredible feat of becoming the first human to swim 103 meters under the ice without fins and while wearing only a swimsuit.
Her time of apnea during the dive was an impressive 2 minutes and 42 seconds. While her record has since been beaten by men, Johanna still holds the Women’s Record for this remarkable accomplishment.
So impressive was her achievement that Netflix created a Baftanominated documentary about the preparations and the day Johanna became the world champion.
Titled “Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive,” the documentary takes viewers on a journey through Johanna’s training, the physical and mental challenges she faced, and the exhilarating moment she made history. You can watch this incredible documentary on Netflix and be inspired by Johanna’s remarkable achievement.
In launching the exclusive edition, Isotope says it is paying testament to her incredible journey and serves as a reminder of what can be achieved through hard work and determination.
The Isotope Hydrium Pro Nordblad is limited to 100 pieces, and is now available exclusively online at £900 (ex VAT).
