This Once-Rare Vintage Dive Watch Style Is Making a Comeback

Plus, the latest example costs less than a grand.

a closeup of the crowns on a yema super compressor dive watch

Published November 2, 2024

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During the economic boom following World War II, loads of young men returning home were suddenly prosperous and had ample leisure time thanks to the new post-war lifestyle. This allowed for fast growth in recreational sports like skiing and the newly invented scuba diving.

Scuba had only recently gotten its start with the 1942 invention of the Aqualung by Émile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau, and by the 1950s, the adventurous new activity was spreading like wildfire, both in public life and among the world’s militaries. This led to the development of the first dedicated, professional dive watches in 1953 with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and others.

a blancpain fifty fathoms dive watch — The original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms kicked off the modern dive watch era in 1953.

As scuba’s popularity grew, so did innovation in dive watches. One of the most significant breakthroughs in the space came in 1956 when Ervin Piquerez S.A. (EPSA) patented the Super Compressor case. This case featured a spring-loaded caseback that sealed more tightly as the external pressure around the watch increased, effectively making the watch more water-resistant the deeper it went.

Super Compressor cases were quite popular from the late ’50s until EPSA went out of business in the mid-’70s, with perhaps dozens of brands using the cases for iconic models, including heavy hitters like JLC and Longines.

For nearly 50 years, Super Compressor technology went unused in the watch industry, having been effectively replaced by technological strides that improved water resistance without the need for a spring-loaded caseback.

christopher ward dive watch caseback — The defining feature of a Super Compressor dive watch is the spring-loaded caseback.

But in 2020, Christopher Ward resurrected the Super Compressor by reverse engineering the technology in its C65 Super Compressor. Since then, other brands have followed suit by introducing their own versions of the technology.

In 2021, Sherpa — the modern-day successor to the sports watches made by vintage favorite Enicar — unveiled modernized versions of its decades-old OPS and Ultradive Super Compressors, Microbrand RZE launched its Resolute Supercompressor in 2022, and Christopher Ward debuted a new version of its C65 Super Compressor earlier this year.

Now, French brand Yema has joined the party with an affordable Super Compressor diver of its own, and I think it’s about time we start referring to modern Super Compressors as a trend.

a yema super compressor dive watch on a mans wrist — We can now add Yema to the growing list of brands offering a modern Super Compressor.

Super Compressor en Français

Yema’s entry in the Super Compressor wars of the 2020s is the Navygraf Super Compressor, and like the aforementioned modern Super Compressors, it’s a true example of the form with a springloaded caseback that tightens as the pressurized environment around the watch increases.

Also, like all of the aforementioned watches, Yema’s new Super Compressor features a dual-crown setup with an inner rotating bezel. While not a defining feature of a Super Compressor case, most examples of the divers — including all of the best-known models — had this feature, and it remains heavily associated with Super Compressors. Yema’s crowns are capped with a cross-hatched pattern in line with the style of vintage Super Compressors.

a yema super compressor dive watch glowing in the dark — The inner bezel of the Yema Navygraf Super Compressor is fully lumed, offering optimal viewing in any light.

Impressively, Yema’s Super Compressor doesn’t skimp on water resistance. Super Compressors have their limits, which is part of the reason they fell out of favor — newer technologies and better gaskets allowed for deeper dives. The Christopher Ward Super Compressor tops out at 150m, while the Sherpa and RZE can withstand 200m of pressure. The Yema, however, manages to best them all with a robust 300m of water resistance.

The new French-made watch is also sized like a vintage diver, clocking in at just 38.5mm across, making it the smallest modern Super Compressor on the market. Powering the watch is the YEMA2000 calibre, an in-house engine with a power reserve of 42 hours and accuracy to within +/- 10 seconds per day. Again, this sets Yema apart from other modern Super Compressors, as it’s the only one with a fully in-house movement.

two yema super compressor dive watches on a book — Yema’s new Super Compressor is available with either a black or blue dial.

Pricing and Availability

Despite how impressive the new Yema Navygraf Super Compressor would appear to be, it sure isn’t priced like it. The newest Super Compressor is also the most affordable one on the market and is priced below $1,000. (RZE is not currently offering the Resolute Supercompressor, which had an SRP of just $699.)

There are three strap options for the Navygraf Super Compressor. On a Tropic rubber strap, it’s $949. On a steel mesh bracelet, it goes for $990. Finally, you can get the watch on an FKM Viton rubber strap that repels dust and includes a deployant clasp for $1,129. The watch is available now from Yema with either a black or blue dial, with shipping expected at the end of November.