12 Longines Very Rare, Early and Large Diver’s Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 6921-2, With Black Lacquer Dial

Estimate: € 1,500 –⁠ 3,000

Sold € 10,400

Model: Skin Diver's Watch
Reference: 6921-2
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Rubber
Year: 1959
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 19AS
Movement N°: 10767384
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Case, dial, movement
Accessories: Extract from the Archives

The present lot represents Longines first dive watch, the Nautilus Skin Diver reference 6921. It was only produced for a couple of years at the end of the 1950s, and it’s estimated that only 550 examples were even produced across three references: 6921-1, 6921-2, and 6921-3. The Compressor case, manufactured by Ervin Piquerez, S.A., was rated to 150 meters of water resistance and is one of very few models with a single crown. The present 40 mm watch has been realized in stainless steel with angular lugs and is in great conditions. The external bezel is still the original one made in Bakelite which tended to crack and was often replaced by aluminum one. The black dial has aged orange/brown Arabic hour numerals and baton hour markers with no spots, making it difficult to believe that the present watch is over half a century old. With the Longines Extract from the Archives confirming case, movement, production and subsequent sale on 9 July 1959 to the company Longines-Wittnauer Watch Co, which was at that time the agent for the USA.