20 Longines Extraordinary and Very Rare, Legend Diver’s Compressor, Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Inner Rotating Bezel, With Extract From the Archives, Reference 7042

Estimate: €3,000 –⁠ 6,000

Sold (Premium)€6,110

Model: Diver’s Watch Compressor
Reference: 7042
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1960
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 19AS
Case N°: 11 016 173
Dimensions: 42 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Extract from the Archives

Longines is mainly known for producing some of the best in-house chronograph calibers to ever exist, but in the fever of divers’ watch of the ’50s managed to create some excellent dive watches such as the present Compressor reference 7042. Its massive and solid case measures 42 mm in diameter boasts 100 meters of water resistance and is powered by the automatic caliber 19AS. It presents two crowns where the one located at two o’clock works to rotate the internal bezel while the crown at four manages to adjust the time. Its conservation is stunning considering the fact that these watches were really used in the seabed. The reference 7042’s dial is black with an attractive 3-6-9-12 layout and a simple internal bezel that rotates by turning the 2 o’clock crown. Regarding the present watch, the dial is glamorous and nicely preserved with cool aged luminous material. With the Longines Extract from the Archives confirming case, movement, production and subsequent sale on 21 June 1960 to the company Joyerias Unidas, which was at that time Longines agent for Venezuela.