Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor Clearance

Innovation. Ingenuity. Ambition

It’s the late 1950s. As diving technology improves, scuba-divers are able to explore deeper.

But there’s a problem.

The further down divers go, the more the water pressure increases. Which means their watches – vital for ensuring safety underwater – develop malfunctions. And sometimes break entirely.

Step in case manufacturer Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA). It invents a system – the ‘Super Compressor’ – that uses water pressure to press the caseback tighter against the O-ring gasket the further it descends. A new genre of diving watch is born.

Nearly 50 years after the last true super compressor appeared, the mechanism is back – in the shape of the C65 Super Compressor.

Reverse-engineered by our team in Switzerland, this is a fully functioning super compressor with the ’60s looks to match. And thanks to improvements in watch construction, it’s the first one with an ‘exhibition’ caseback, through which you can see the ultra-thin compression spring. At 300 microns thick, the spring, which enables the compressor to work, is just four times the width of a human hair. Look again, and you’ll also spot the ‘diving-bell’ mark, the logo Ervin Piquerez used to signify authenticity.

The screw-down crown (another modern improvement) at 4 o’clock controls the hands and date whilst the one at 2 o’clock rotates the internal countdown bezel. This crown isn’t screwed down as this would make its use difficult for divers, but we have ensured its water-tightness by using two internal gaskets as well as two external ones. It also carries the crosshatch markings synonymous with the original versions.

Wearing the watch meanwhile is a joy thanks to the new ‘cushioned’ light-catcher™ case, whose near-rectangular shape not only looks suitably retro, but is also unobtrusive – sliding easily under a shirt cuff or looking great with short sleeves.

Available in two colour options the dial contrasts against the indexes and ‘baton’ hands (coated in Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 GL C1), plus the rotating inner bezel. And with the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement powering it, the watch is as accurate as it is stylish. In other words, ‘very’.

The product video was shot before we introduced the twin-flags logo

Sellita SW200-1 Automatic

An update on the classic Sellita SW200, this Swiss-made self-winding movement is known for its accuracy and reliability.

The 26-jewel movement, a 4Hz frequency (equating to a smooth eight ticks per second) and a 38-hour power reserve. It also has an in-built anti-shock system to maintain accuracy when faced with any sudden jolts.