Clavi
788
Then, 'movementwise'
If we are to create a hierarchy between the compressor / supercompressor watches, I would then rank:
- 1st, the anteriority.
Regardless of the manufacture / non manufacture aspect, I think that from a collectors point of view it is good to know which are the brands / models that have used the Piquerez SC case first ( --> I don't have the answer from the top of my head, nor do I know if the information is known, but I believe this is the first criteria to consider)
- 2nd, the 'manufacture' factor
Of course, when many different brands have been using the same (or similar) watch case / construction (twin crown / internal bezel), then if we want to discriminate them, the 'in-house' movement factor becomes important.
So then, I would rank equally, Enicar, Bulova, Longines, Universal Geneve, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre and to some extent LIP (in-house electric), as all these brands did equip the EPSA cases with their their own in-house movements. Jaeger LeCoultre (Polaris), and Vulcain (Cricket Nautical) of course stand out as they have an extra complication (and an extra crown)
All the others would come next according to this criteria (and there are many other examples, using AS or ETA movements). But then, the XL cae (42mm), and the thin profile would be more attractive than the smaller (36mm case), or the thick profile...
So as always it is not simple.
Especially when you take dial design into account. Some with in-house movements / thick profile can look less desirable than some with ebauches / thin profile.
A collector's life is never simple..........
Available on the marketplace
New pictures of an old watch: U.G Polerouter Sub.
Someone recently posted a question about the Polerouter Sub, which gave me the idea to take some fresh pictures of mine, an old beauty, for sure. A perfect illsutration on how a simple look can be powerful. The photos: The 60ies at their best. Nicolas....
Stuning condition , Nicolas
for a vintage watch which dates back to the 60's ... the case size is of a 41mm correct me if im mistaken, please . Thanks for sharing. Faisal
42 mm, my friend, You were not too far.
Thanks for your input, Faisal. Alll the best, Nicolas.
A sleeping giant
great pictures Nico. Of the supercompressor watches from this period this is a sleeping giant, great size and classic looks with an inhouse movement - what more could you ask for? I've tried one on before and it wears beautifully. The market is starting t...
In my opinion, this U.G is in the Top 3 of the Big Compressors...
Along with the Polaris and the .. Which all 3 house " in house " movements, and take the benefit of a nice quality. This is not the most known, this is not the less desirable, either. It is time to give it the justice it deserves. Best, Eitan. Nicolas
whats the 3rd Nicolas ??
it wouldnt be the Enicar Sherpa with in-house movement would it ?? best Graham
Longines!
But I could also have mentionned the Vulcain Cricket Nautical, too. Best, Nicolas....
you upset me my friend....
you upset me my friend. no Enicar in the top 4. it just shows that my compressors are of a lower level to yours G...
Naaah.
You can't compare the Polaris, the U.G , the Vulcain and the Longines with any other. Then, you have the Enicar, the Bulova, the Benrus, the Droz, and the Lip. Then, all the others. This is a wide thema, which will require a lot of efforts, time and money...
i only have the Enicar...
i only have the Enicar left after that major clearout, although i have just aquired a nice Bulova Snorkel 666ft automatic from a common year. beautiful patina, original condition. at 36mm not quite a submariner or sm300, but just as capable at the time an...
Well, I try to avoid the 36 mm compressor cases, or ...
I will end by opening a Museum. Best, Nicolas.
this is not a compressor,...
this is not a compressor, just a plain screw back diver. i'll take pics when i have time, but it only arrived on wednesday and i've been absent for a couple of days. G
Nicolas, your command is my...
Nicolas, your command is my pleasure. just a couple of quick wristshots. i'll do more when i have time to come up for air. best G...
Like it a lot!
I saw some spotting here and there, and have to say that I was tempted. Congrats, Graham. That's the Fifty Quids watch I love a lot! Best, Nicolas.
thanks Ubik. i'd actually...
thanks Ubik. i'd actually bought it the night before i came up to London to see the frog, but it took a while to arrive due to our lovely customs & excise. there's a nice 18mm black cordovan strap en route to go on it. best Graham
Really?
These can't be compared to 'the others'? No IWC in there? No Sherpa OPS? What drives this hierachy?
ENICARs rule !
For sure the Enicar SuperCompressor should fit the bill too (manufacture movement, XL case, historic significance...) However, I think that the fact that the brand has died since then makes it less attractive to some, as opposed to vintage watches from br...
very nice Clavi, it reminds...
very nice Clavi, it reminds me of an early Heuer pvd case. my Enicar is just a plain old steel one. G...
Great one, Clavi.
A superb patina, and a pvd case when, as you said, it was not trendy. I like it! Best, Nicolas.
Killer Enicar
I've always loved the Enicars and that is a great one, amazing condition. Here it is in the 1970 Chronosport catalogue....
Thanks for these very interesting documents, Eitan.
Do you own the watch? It wouldn't surprise me, though. Best, Nicolas.
Sadly not
A few times I came close to getting one, they also did a steel version, but I was always beaten to the prize in the end. Just to add insult to injury I passed on an Australian military issued Droz about 6/7 years ago as well. However I finally bagged my P...
Well, the Droz is one of my targets, too.
Will we end with getting these damn birds? Best, Nicolas.
It is only in my book, Ben ...
42 mm case, and in house movements, which are the two most important criterias, to me. Why in house movements? Because the case were all outsourced, so if the movement is also outsourced, what is the interest, except an aesthetical one? Therefore, if I wa...
Then, 'movementwise'
If we are to create a hierarchy between the compressor / supercompressor watches, I would then rank: - 1st, the anteriority. Regardless of the manufacture / non manufacture aspect, I think that from a collectors point of view it is good to know which are ...
hey Clavi, looking at...
hey Clavi, looking at that table full i'm glad that i also limit my criteria to pieces made in 1964 which so far, in the case of twin crown SC's, i've only found an Enicar 42mm. if you ever find out which others were made in that year please let me know o...
The U.G Polerouter Sub can be found with a 1964 year of production.
As well as the Longines ( mine was from 1964 ). Best, Nicolas...
well i'll be damned, i...
well i'll be damned, i thought yours was a 65. typically, 2 of the most expensive are the correct year, just my luck however, i have a long life left to aquire what i want and soon there will be no diversions to stop me. here's hoping G...
The U.G Polerouter and the Longines Diver are not the most expensive.
BY FAR! Have a look at the Polaris value, you will see! Even the Vulcain Nautical seems to bze much more expensive than the U.G and the Longines. Since how many time didn't I see a Vintage Vulcain Nautical for sale? An Eternity. I'd say that the U.G is mo...
i forgot about the polaris...
i forgot about the polaris and as you say, we never see the Vulcain so i'm 'nearly' right G...
By the way, there weren't any Polaris in ' 64.
The early proto came in 1963: 50 pieces, then in 1965, but not in 1964. Good news, no? Best, Nicolas....
Ditto for the Bulova
I have sold a 'standard' bulova which was stamped '63, therefore I believe there were some produced during this year and possibly '64 too. I don't have an archive for the other ones, but it could be interesting to open them and have a look. Will do if I f...
May I introduce a Zenith into the mix?
It ought to rate according to your criteria, no? From a manufacture frequently forgotten in discussions about divers, the ref. 3736, In house cal. 146, 42mm case, screw-back Super Compressor like the Polerouter Sub, not many like it....it also comes in a ...
WOW. Another one on the list now.
These vintage Zenith's can become habit forming. very nice.
Well, I'm more fan of the S 58, if we speak about Zenith Divers.
This one is a bit too " Seventies " for me. But it is just my taste, and to say it all, it is the very first time I see this one. Amazing collection of Zeniths you have! Best, Nicolas.
You...
...are evil for showing that photo! The Sherpa OPS is my ultimate EPSA....I don't think anyone else used the crownguards?
My vote is Longines first
I believe their version goes back to the late Fifties. I can't think of an inner rotating bezel diver before that? I'd love to know if anyone else can?
What?
...you mean you don't want several dozen EPSAs with AS movements and just a change of dial???
Bulova
The Bulova would also fit the bill. Also with in-house movement. But far less known than the others as not frequently seen and not re-issued !...
Clavi, thats what i...
Clavi, thats what i liked about the Bulova. its underrated, more or less forgotten and therefore a bargain on the used market i didnt realise it was an in-house calibre, i just assumed it was ETA based. i've attached a pic of the movement courtesy of the ...
Bulovas SCs
There are 2 Bulova Supercompressor. A normal size (36mm), and a XL (42mm) While the 'standard' can be found from times to times: the XL is very very hard to come by (Here the XL in front of the regular, hiding it almost completely due to size) (Same shot,...
i must look out for...
i must look out for one of those Clavi, thats if they were around in 1964. i fear that they may be later than that. G
2 targets of mine on the same picture.
The Droz and the Bulova! I was not aware that Bulova made in house movements, by the way. If you ever sell one of these 2 beauties, give me a call first! Best, Nicolas....
Clavi, i think that Nicolas...
Clavi, i think that Nicolas believes i joined this forum just to torture him. he really wants an Australian Naval issue Droz single crown compressor and i used to own one which i sold before i knew him, then i found the Enicar for sale, told him about it ...
Well, you're a genuine Welsh Devil, Graham ...
And Clavi is a kind of Mephisto. I have good friends, here. Best, Nicolas...
Nicolas, how could you accuse...
Nicolas, how could you accuse me of being welsh. shame on you i am merely an english devil masquerading in a welsh dragon costume. hopefully before end 2011 i'll no longer be a welsh devil Best G...
Excellent collection.
I'm with Nico, I want all the big ones. See what you started with this thread Nico. :}
You know my weak spot, Nicolas, and you exploit it...
...with these pictures! The Polerouter Sub is indeed one of the beauties of its era and genre. Dual crown divers from the 60s! Yes! I dream about having a secret lair one day (like the Batcave or Fortress of Solitude) full of vintage dive watches. Bwahaha...
I don't know if it is rarer than the Longines.
I don't know the production numbers of both of them. But I love them all. Sadly, the Longines has gone with the others, while the Vintage Polaris and the U.G were safe in the safe. Best, Nicolas.
Of all the watches i saw last year ....
... this one took my breath away .... your pictures don't justify the real beauty my friend ... no offense ... .... Hope to see you soon mon ami ... been too long ... Filip
Hard to show the real beauty of the slightly domed plexy ...
And the delicate warmth of the dial... That's TRUE. When you want, my friend, when you want! Best, Nicolas.
Beautiful Polerouter!
Another great vintage, Nicolas! Love the look of the UG Sub! And a perfect matching strap as well! Thank you for sharing, my friend! Best Blomman
Well, till recently, they were 3 ...
I needed to complete the Trio with a Benrus or a Bulova, and a Droz, now, I also have to hunt, once again, the bloody Longines. These Compressor rule! Best, my friend. Nicolas....
Oh NO!
Sorry to hear this, my friend. That IS sad news! Hope you will find one with the same beautiful chocolate patina. Best Blomman
Will be difficult to find a nicer example than the one I had.
But I have to. It is like I missed a tooth. Best, Nicolas.
it is truly devastating that the Longines was taken
i fear that you may never find another with such patina as yours had. they rarely ever come up for sale anywhere regardless of condition, but never give up, there's one with your name on it somewhere.............literally. best G
I keep the faith, Graham...
I can still get a Longines, and will take my time to find it, but I know I will get one. I just have to recover, which will take time. Best, Nicolas.
Thanks for your comments, Ling. [nt]
No message body This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-02-18 23:37:51
My pleasure, Goh. Did you know that this model also came with ...
A bracelet? Best, Nicolas.
Wow. That would be a killer.
But I haven't stepped onto the dangerous vintage path yet. Best, Goh
I bought it in Paris ....
At ABP. As well as maybe 20 others like that. Best, Nicolas.