1960s Marc Nicolet Skin Diver Automatic Date 37mm
Ref: N/A
Specification
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original box or original paperwork. The watch comes paired with a 19mm NATO strap that matches nicely. The watch is from Circa. 1960s and is in worn, vintage condition as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 1960s Marc Nicolet Skin Diver with a 37mm stainless steel case, thick tapered lugs with a lug-to-lug length of 46mm and a case thickness of 12mm ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. The Skin diver design was adopted by many brands including Wittnauer and Elgin during this time period. On the right side is a large crown, a friction-fit stainless steel dive bezel with deep engraving holds a domed crystal above a black dial. An outer minute track with 12, 6 and 9 Arabic numerals and baton indexes mark the hours all thickly coated in luminance, at 3 o’clock a date window with cyclops magnification on the crystal. Arrow and Alpha hands have luminance infill complemented by an arrow point second hand. At 12 o’clock we have the Marc Nicolet motif and “Skin Diver” underneath and at 6 o’clock “17 Jewels Incabloc Automatic” completes this dynamic “Skin Diver”. On the reverse is a screw-down case back, inside an automatic Bidynator 961-17, 17 jewels, 18,000 beats per hour, this movement was made by Felsa and was the first movement to incorporate a bidirectional rotor. The watch comes fitted on a 19mm NATO strap.
Personal Note
Skin Divers will always have a true vintage appeal and for the right reasons, the designs were always function over beauty, though they thankfully look fantastic on and off the wrist! This model is no exception, the lume is incredible and the hands compliment the design so well, the case size is perfect and on wrist, it truly does scream 1960s, I wouldn't hesitate if you are interested.
The Brand
Marc Nicolet is a relation of the famous Nicolet family of watchmakers who started their business in Tramelan, Switzerland in 1875, famous for producing grand complication pocket watches. After Armand Nicolet's death in 1939 his son, Willy ran the business establishing it as one of the largest watchmakers in Switzerland. During the 1970s and 80s quartz crisis, their reputation and contacts meant they survived whilst many other companies folded. In 1987 Willy met Rolando Braga an Italian watch enthusiast who has helped to drive the company forward, today the company runs under the brand name Armand Nicolet.