The supercompressor case. Most recognisable through the use of double crowns at 2 and 4 o’clock, these are quintessentially 60’s/70’s in its design.
Produced by a single company, Ervin Piquerez EPSA, compressor cases used a new technology at the time where it used pressure to guarantee a watch’s water resistance. As you go deeper, the pressure gets higher, in theory, creating a tighter seal.
Because of the iconic design and overall wearability, there is a real cult following for supercompressor watches as many brands used EPSA cases. As a result, you are able to find a whole variety of supercompressor watches with many different dial and hand designs.
At the top, the most desirable and famous would have to be the Jaeger LeCoultre Polaris followed by models such as the Universal Geneve Polerouter Sub and Longines Diver Ref. 7042 who all produced their version of the supercompressor dive watch. While these are all high-end brands that warrant the high prices, other than the fact that not many were made, one other characteristic makes these desirable- the case size.
Most supercompressors you will find are 36mm in size, but the aforementioned watches are significantly larger at 42mm. The 42mms are huge watches and have a real presence on the wrist. Even by today’s standard, they are considered large! What many do not know, is that other than those brands, there was one more that made these larger Supercompressors and yes, you’ve guessed it- Bulova.
While Bulova also made 36mm supercompressors, which are in their own right fairly rare watches, the 42mm version is close to impossible to find. These are certainly undervalued and under the radar. As a result, despite being much rarer than most of the 42mm supercompressors out there, its price point is still very accessible, for now.
