It's amazing how diver-style watches are so ageless.
They looked cool 50 years ago. I think it's a very safe bet they'll look great in another 50.
One of those things that just never goes out of style.
When Malubier of the French Navy wrote his spec for a dive watch that included all the basic features we see in a diver (water resistance, movable timing bezel, lume, etc.), his timing was good. Blancpain and Zodiac were the first to respond with the Fifty Fathoms and the Sea Wolf, respectively, and Rolex followed a year later with the Submariner. 1953 was the right time—people were becoming less formal and a “sport” watch on a steel bracelet became a popular casual style. Television, particularly Jacques Cousteau, popularized diving, and he wore all of those first three at various times.
Then, Vietnam happened, and American soldiers bought watches at discounted military exchange prices. Divers survived better, and the Zodiac Sea Wolf was a popular choice because it was half the price of Rolex.
All that cemented the diver into American culture. All action characters from James Bond to Thomas Magnum (the first one) wore them, and everyone wanted to look like they spent Sunday afternoons battling marlin off the Florida coast from the deck of their Chris Craft.
As long as that mythos remains appealing, so will divers.
This Ebel Sportwave Aquatica 500 is a favorite in my collection, and a limited edition of a hundred with the 500-meter depth rating. I also have a vintage Sea Wolf. (I have others, too, but this is enough for now.)
Here’s the vintage Sea Wolf, from the early 60’s:
But for looking tough, my US Government official issue Marathon GSAR is the ticket:
Rick “no, the Marathon was not issued to me by the government” Denney
