Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Return of the Triton Spirotechnique Dive Watch
The rebirth of an elusive military dive watch from the 1960s with direct ties to Jacques Cousteau.
While the Rolex Submariner, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and Omega Seamaster ruled the 1950s enthusiast and military diving scene, it was the Triton Spirotechnique in 1963 that briefly became the most expensive dive watch of its times, although never the best known. It was developed for the Spirotechnique company (Aqualung), founded by oceanographer/filmmaker/French naval officer Jacques Cousteau in 1946, and was used by both American and French navy divers. Like many watchmakers, the brand didn’t survive the Quartz Crisis in the 1970s, but was revived in 2015 by a pair of watch enthusiasts.
The original Triton Spirotechnique was developed by a retired French Air Force colonel, Jean René Parmentier, who developed the protected (and patented) 12 o’clock crown system, shrouded by an articulating lug. The watch was manufactured in France by Dodane and sold in Spirotechnique dive shops (now named Aqualung) alongside professional diving equipment. Today’s model is Swiss-made, but very faithful to the original.
The stainless steel case is a bit larger than the original at 39mm in diameter and 12.25mm in height (from 37mm). The screw-down crown is positioned at 12 o’clock and again guarded by the articulating lug, which is not to be confused with a bracelet end link. Lug-to-lug is a lengthy 53.75mm as a result. The black unidirectional rotating bezel has a sapphire insert and a detailed 60-minute scale with lume. An AR box-shaped sapphire crystal protects the dial and a solid case back has an embossed freediver image (freediver champion Gilles Gambini is a Triton ambassador). Water resistance is rated at 200 metres, matching its 1963 spec. A black rubber tropic sport strap with a steel pin buckle comes standard.
There are two models, so the dial comes with a black lacquer finish and either applied or painted indices (Classic Black or Sport Black, respectively). The applied indices have Super-LumiNova C3, while the painted indices have a retro look with Old Radium Super-LumiNova. The Classic Black model (with applied indices) also has a sunray dial finish, unlike the Sport Black dial, which further differentiates the two. The hour and arrowhead minute hands have Super-LumiNova inserts, as does the lollipop seconds hand. A date window sits at 3 o’clock with a roulette-style wheel – odd numbers are red, even numbers are black.
Powering the Triton Spirotechnique is the Triton G100, which is essentially La Joux-Perret’s G100 automatic. It has 24 jewels, beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) and comes with a 68-hour power reserve. Functions include central hours, minutes, hacking seconds and date. Unlike Sellita’s SW200-1, this is not an ETA 2824-2 clone, but is still considered a direct alternative.
The new Triton Spirotechnique models are available now and retail for EUR 5,200. It must be said that this is a substantial price. This watch surely comes with undeniable charm and heritage, but also a rather classic set of specs. As such, it comes in competition with either much more established names, or watches with much stronger specs. And while it was the most expensive dive watch of the sixties, it’s a bit hard to justify this price now, unless it truly appeals to you (again, it does look cool).
For more information, please visit tritonwatch.ch.
8 responses
That’s a steep ask for a g100. U can get that movement in an Aquastar model 60 for $999 although this case and dial are certainly more detailed. I don’t know if it’s worth 5x the price.
Yes, it does look cool, but again, as has become standard industry practice, they price themselves out of consideration. Knuckleheads!
Big oof, way too much to ask for a LaJoux Perret movement. Would expect to have one of those Kenissi 70H chronometer movements in Tudors.
Not bad but they always been overpriced. I would go for a ZRC GF instead.
Excuse my language, but they’re out of their god damned minds and I hope they see this. I saw the picture and thought this was a cool looking diver that’s a bit different than most, but then saw the price. They’re competing with the cream of the crop at that price bracket and really don’t offer much. Not even a bracelet for a $5k diver. 39mm width with nearly 54. L2L is also just poor design.
For less than this laughable price for a by the numbers watch that nobody heard of with an off the shelf ETA replacement, you can get a Tudor Black Bay 41 Master Chronometer with in-house movement, Panerai Radiomir Officine, Oris Aquis with in-house 400 auto, Tag Heuer Aquaracer and so on. What a joke.
Cool design, but that price is laughable.
One pays a great deal for history, whether or not it’s worth it is up to the buyer. The watch is beautiful and unique however not for me since the L2L is too long.