Cornavin 'Decompression Dial' Dive Watch

During the first few decades of recreational SCUBA diving, watch companies the world over did some of their best work.

In trying to cater to the adherents of this new and fascinating sport, they developed new technologies to better aid divers in keeping track of crucial information. One of the most critical pieces of information when diving is the number and length of “decompression stops” one must make before ascending. Though often relatively short and straightforward when engaged in recreational diving, these are essential for preventing the onset of decompression sickness — more commonly known as “the bends.” 

The number and length of “deco” stops are governed by formulas that were once commonly available in the form of a table or guidebook. (These days, they’re self-contained within wrist-borne dive computers.) However, a handful of enterprising watch companies made “analog” computers long before the advent of the actual dive computer: In these special timepieces, the decompression scale was contained on the dial of the watch, formulated such that a diver could compute the number and length of decompression stops while underwater by glancing at his or her wrist. 

While Mido’s Ocean Star Decompression Timer is perhaps the most famous such timepiece, another from Swiss brand Cornavin is equally fascinating. Furthermore, this particular example is in beautiful shape, with even patination and thick and even lugs. Housed in a 42mm stainless steel ‘stepped’ case with ‘holey’ lugs, an acrylic crystal, and an unsigned crown, it features a matte black dial with quadrant radium lume, a white decompression scale, an outer minute track, a rotating hour disc aperture — there’s no traditional hour hand — and a matching radium minute hand.

Calibrated in meters, the watch is powered by the Felso Calibre 810, an automatic movement securely hidden behind a screw-down caseback. By selecting one’s depth in meters and following the respective “track” around the dial, one can compute the required “deco” stop length given one’s bottom time. (Pretty neat!) Paired to an excellent leather strap from HODINKEE, it’s one of the most unique offerings we’ve been privileged to offer on Analog:Shift in quite some time. 

It’s best to snag this one fast — as Harrison Ford once grumbled, “It belongs in a museum!”

The history of Sandoz watches is about as simple and straightforward as the British royal family tree, but it goes something like this: In the 1870s, Henri Frédéric Sandoz founded Henri Sandoz & Cie, which produced complicated timepieces under the Cyma name. In 1890, he partnered with the Schwob family, establishing watchmaking facilities near Tavannes, in the Jura Mountains.
This entity, known as Tavannes Watch Co, made timepieces under the Tavannes name, the Cyma name, the Sandoz name, and more. By the time of Sandoz’s death in 1913, it was spitting out some 2,500 watches per day. By 1938, that daily figure was pegged at roughly 4,000.
Following various licensing agreements, the Sandoz name has, since 1971, been split into four different entities based in Singapore, Honk Kong, Switzerland, and Spain. Each entity utilizes the Sandoz name but retains its own line of products, with the Honk Kong company, for example, utilizing ETA movements but assembling its watches in Hong Kong.
Vintage Sandoz watches include funky hits like the Monsoon, numerous mechanical chronographs, time-only mechanical watches, and more. Affordable and wide-ranging in style and use case, they serve as a testament to the industriousness of the company’s founder.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.