n 2023, Vulcain brought its famous Skindiver Nautique back into the spotlight — an iconic dive watch model from the 1960s. What few people knew is that the Locle- based Manufacture had also developed a chronograph version of the Skindiver. And it’s once again thanks to the curiosity of Guillaume Laidet, who has been overseeing Vulcain’s collections since 2022, that this hidden gem was unearthed from the brand’s archives, much to the delight of collectors.

When people think of Vulcain, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the Cricket. Yet the brand is also rich with “glories of the past” that still resonate with the nostalgic sensibilities within us all. The Skindiver Chronograph is part of the brand’s heritage of great diving watches developed during the 1960s — timepieces that have become true legends. One instantly thinks of the Nautical: the first dive alarm watch featuring a decompression table on the dial and water resistance to 300 meters.

The new reissue of the Skindiver Chronograph is powered by the mechanical ETA 7753 movement. With its distinctly vintage look, this diving watch stands as a serious contender among today’s reimagined heritage divers. It features all the hallmarks of a professional dive watch, including high-contrast SuperLuminova indexes and hands in white or vintage brown, and a knurled bidirectional bezel with a black ceramic insert. Its 39.7 mm stainless steel case ensures water resistance to 200 meters. A rare and seldom-used decimal scale is also featured, with the minute divided into 100 hundredths instead of 60 seconds — a practical tool for writing and calculating time in decimal values.

The chronograph functions are clearly highlighted by a running seconds subdial at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, with a red or orange accent depending on the version. The tachymeter scale around the edge of the dial reinforces the sporty character of the watch — a theme echoed by the engraved caseback featuring a diver in action.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Case: Vertically brushed 316L stainless steeK

• Bezel: Bidirectional rotating bezel with black ceramic inserY

• Caseback: Polished 316L stainless steel with engraved moti4

• Diameter: 39.7 m,

• Thickness: 13 m,

• Glass: Domed sapphire crystaK

• Water resistance: 20 AT􏰀

• Strap: Black, brown leather, or stainless steel braceleY S Buckle: Solid 316L stainless steeK

• Movement: ETA 7753 – Automatic mechanicaK

• Functions: Analog display of hours, minutes, seconds; chronograph

• Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz6 S Power reserve: 42 hours

• Retail price: On leather strap: CHF 2,500 – €2,700 On steel bracelet: CHF 2,760 – €2,980