This Vintage-Inspired Dive Watch Is Almost Too Close to the Real Thing

The 1960s vintage-inspired dive watch market is a bit crowded. With all the real-deal reproductions and microbrand homages, it can be hard for a young watchmaker to stand out.

Typsim met that challenge by going above and beyond with the details for the new 100M, bringing it impressively close to looking like a surviving vintage example.

Typsim

At first glance, the 100M, simply and pragmatically named after its water resistance, looks like many other faux-vintage dive watches. But look closely, and you’ll see a richness to the detailing that feels damn-near authentic.

Typsim is a passion project of Seattle-based architect Matthew Zinski, which explains the extreme attention to detail and dedication to the form displayed in the 100M.

Typsim

From the simple steel case and friction-fit bi-directional bezel, to the genuine gilt dial and real gold-plated hands, none of the usual shortcuts were taken here.

Zinski even worked with RC Tritec, the Swiss company that makes Super-LumiNova, to create a lume that will gradually age to look like retro tritium and radium dial markings from the 1960s do now.

The old-fashioned way

Rather than create a faux-gilt dial by applying gold-toned dial markings to a dark background, Typsim did it the old-fashioned way. Clean lacquer is applied to a brass dial plate for the hour markers, minutes track, logo and “AUTOMATIC.”

Typsim

The dial plate is then galvanically coated in black, covering only the exposed metal, creating the brushed sunburst texture with the brass details showing through.

Typsim’s specially formulated Super-LumiNova, which is claimed to age into a creamy color after years of steady wear, is then applied to the hour markers. A lime green accent is sparingly applied to the 12 o’clock marker, modeled after mid-century moisture indicators, and the “100m” marking.

Typsim

To keep things authentic, real gold plating is applied to the sword hands, which are filled in with the same special Super-LumiNova blend.

That impressive attention to detail is visible through an era-faithful boxy acrylic crystal with a slight curve, framed by a friction-fit bidirectional aluminum dive bezel with a 12-hour track and 20-minute segment.

An elite movement

Typsim didn’t skimp on the mechanics of the 100M either, powering it with a no-date Sellita caliber SW300-1 b automatic movement with a 56-hour power reserve.

Typsim

Zinski’s passion for watches extends beyond aesthetic design. He also runs a watch repair shop, with a dedicated section on the Typsim website, and ensures his creations ship out in top working order.

Though the Sellita movements don’t come with a COSC chronometer certification, which watch brands can opt for at an added expense, Typsim regulates each one to -2/+2 seconds per day — the same famed “Superlative Chronometer” standard used by Rolex.

As if all that wasn’t enough to ensnare every vintage dive watch fan, the 100M comes on a NATO strap from Phoenix, the UK-based manufacturer who famously supplies the nation’s Ministry of Defence.

Typsim

With the amount of historically accurate detailing that went into the 100M, not to mention the impeccable movement powering it, it is a wonder that the watch is priced under $1,000.

This is as close to landing a mint-condition 1960s skin diver as you can get, short of a once-in-a-lifetime attic find or inventing a time machine.

Availability and pricing

The Typsim 100M is available for pre-order now from Typsim for $999. Orders are estimated to ship out in October.

Typsim

Typsim 100m

Specs

Case Size	36mm
Movement	Sellita caliber SW300-1 automatic
Water Resistance	100m

• $999 at Typsim

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