Waltham Super Nautic-Ski Super Compressor c.1971
Waltham Super Nautic-Ski Super Compressor c.1971
The Waltham Super Nautic-Ski.
“Skindiver electric calendar. Fully automatic; self-winding; operates up to full year on single battery. Water resistant* all steel case. Gray dial; luminous; sweep second. Incabloc shock resistant movement.”
Make no mistake, this Waltham Super Nautic-Ski is a re-badged LIP brand skindiver. The French watch company LIP is esteemed as the creator of the world’s first electronic movement (R27), or the second electric movement — theirs reaching the electronic designation because it did in fact include a small diode in the design. This Super Nautic-Ski has the later R184 movement inside; the date model of the R148 that was in production since circa 1962. In fact, this movement is said to be the first electronic movement with a date wheel.
Wrapped in a true EPSA super compressor case, the LIP/Waltham models are unique in their battery-powered approach, but not lacking the style and flare of even the most stylish and attractive models. At 42mm, this brings you the same dial/bezel combo of the earlier, smaller LIP offering in a bigger housing…and with the rarer American ‘Waltham’ branding.
Movement: LIP R184, 13 jewels, 18,000 bph
Case: Signed stainless steel, unpolished
Powered: Electronic - Battery-powered with Balance Wheel
Case Width: 42 mm
Case Length: 42.2 mm
Lug Width: 22 mm
Thickness: 14.2mm
Crystal: New, high dome diver acrylic
Crown: Original, non-screw down, dual cross-hatched crowns
Band: New tropic-style rubber dive band
Boxes: None
Function - This watch is powered by a battery. There is nothing you need to do daily for operation. If you ever change the time or date and the watch does not start automatically when you press in the crown, a simple circular spin/rotation of the watch case usually fires it up right away. These older electronic watches will use a battery in a year or less so, if it ever stops running several months down the road, it is generally a simple battery replacement needed.
[All vintage watches are expected to function as described. However, due to age and generally unknown service history (unless otherwise stated), these watches may not keep time as accurately as new or quartz (battery) watches. This is completely normal and does not indicate that there is a major problem. Like your automobile, all mechanical watches will likely need to be serviced at some point in time. Please keep this in mind, as there is no guarantee regarding when these vintage watches may need standard maintenance. Every watch sold by Buying On Time is done so with the expectation that it is not currently in need of service or repair, unless noted. We guarantee that all watches sold are accurately described and in the stated condition when they leave our hands.]