The Top Five Triton Diving Watches Of All Time
Named for the son of the Greek god Poseidon, Triton Watches represent the sea. The company was developed during the mid-twentieth century and geared its creations toward professional divers and the military. Jacques Cousteau and French military supplier, Dodan began developing professional diving equipment. They opened shops with professional diving equipment after Monsieur Cousteau invented the Aqua-Lung in 1943. Watchmaker and former French Air Force Colonel, Jean René Parmentier, designed the first Triton diving watches.
With durability and excellent precision in mind, Triton Diving watches are some of the best sports watches manufactured. Triton watches were originally made for professional divers and elite French and American combat divers. Triton watches were the most professional and exclusive watches made for diving. The company recently re-launched a modern version of one of its most famous vintage diving watches.
Today, Triton remains an exclusive and excellent diving watchmaker. The company is headquartered in Les Breuleaux, Switzerland. Eddy Burgener is one of the chief watch designers. Triton has a history of creating innovative and exclusive watchmaker.
Here are 5 of the best Triton diving watches of all time.
Spirotechnique –Â $3650
The most famous and exclusive Triton diving watch of all time was its original Spirotechnique. Developed by Jean René Parmentier, the Spirotechnique was launched in 1963 and remained in production through the mid-1970’s. Monsieur Parmentier worked closely with Jacques Cousteau to design the most precise and durable watch for diving. The Spirotechnique was developed after original diving watches, Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms and Rolex’s Submariner. However, the Spirotechnique was made specifically for professional divers and the military and was much more depth resistant and innovative in design. Its specifications and and precision were designed specifically for divers’ needs. The Spirotechnique is considered one of the most iconic diving watches of all time.
The vintage Spirotechnique diving watch was water resistant to over 200 meters. That is below the distance that natural light penetrates the open ocean water. The watch was manufactured in France and had a self winding Swiss mechanism. The casing was 37 mm in diameter, and the bezel was 39 mm. The design of the Spirotechnique featured unique oversized bezel numerals at the 10 minute markers. The Triton crown insignia and hinge were featured at the 12 o’clock hour. The date numerals had a distinctive “roulette” style alternating between red and black with the odd and even numbers. The casing was angular in shape and the watch was slim compared to other diving watches. The watch had 3 types of rotating bezel’s including minutes, meters and feet. The crown, often the weak point in diving watches, had extra protection from water leakage. The Triton Spirotechnique remains one of the best and most iconic vintage diving watches of all time.
Subphotique –Â $5752 (with bracelet strap) –Â $5590 (with rubber strap)
Eddy Burgener and other Triton watch designers and vintage watch collectors and enthusiasts decided to re-launch the iconic Spirotechnique. The modern version, the Subphotique, has many of the same classic elements of the original design with a few modern updates. The Subphotique contains much of the same appearance as its predecessor. The oversized numerals and “roulette” color theme remain. An outsourced automatic caliber is used. The angular casing shape and 12 o’clock insignia remain, and the Subphotique is slim like the Spirotechnique which keeps it wearable.
The designers of the Subphotique added some new aspects to the updated version of the Spirotechnique diving watch. The Subphotique has increased water resistance from 200 meters to 500 meters. A Helium release valve is located at the 3 o’clock hour. The original tritium of the dial and handset is replaced by Super Lumi Nova. The original plexiglass crystal has been replaced by sapphire crystal with an anti- reflective coating. The bakelite in the bezel is now a sapphire bezel. The new strap has an integrated bracelet that is adjustable. The Subphotique has a convenient quick-set date and a 42 hour power reserve. The Subphotique has adhered to much of the original watch characteristics while updating it for more precision, durability and function.
Poseidon Dive Watch – $1500
Triton’s Poseidon Dive Watch is also called the Reactor 1000 meters. The limited edition watch is able to resist water and pressure up to 1000 meters. The watch features mechanical automatic movement with a precision 120-click mechanism. The casing is 48 mm and has an exhibition case back made of transparent material so the inner workings of the watch can be seen. The bezel of the Poseidon Watch is duel rotating with the internal bezel being bi-directional and the external bezel being unidirectional. The patented “Never Dark” reactor in the watch dial combines tritium tubes with superluminova for low and no light performance. The Poseidon features the iconic Triton crown at both 12 and 6 o’clock as well as enlarged numerals at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock hour markers and the 15, 30 and 45 minute markers. The Poseidon comes with both a solid titanium bracelet and a rubber strap, so it can be worn as a distinguished dress accessory as well as for diving.
Triton 2000 – $450
The Triton 2000 is an excellent quality watch by Triton and Débaufré. The durable diving watch is water and pressure resistant up to 2000 meters. The watch has automatic movement and a surgical grade high pressure stainless steel casing. An automatic Helium release valve is located on the left side of the watch. The crown is screw down. The casing is 17.3 mm thick, and the bracelet is 22 mm thick. The watch has a brushed satin finish and a brushed stainless steel bracelet. The date window is featured at the 6 o’clock hour and the baton markers and skeleton hands are painted with super-luminova. The watch has scratch resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating.
Military Bronze – $625
This unique military themed Triton diving watch is incredibly durable. The watch is water resistant up to 300 meters and can withstand 30 ATM pressure. Sapphire crystal keeps the casing scratch resistant and a double anti-reflective coating on the inner side of the casing increases visibility underwater. The casing is 45 mm in diameter and 14 mm thick. The case back has is transparent so the golden Steinhart rotor mechanism is visible. The watch dial is military olive green while the bezel, crown and part of the case back are a contrasting bronze and black DLC coating. The strap on the Military Bronze watch is durable rubber. The military olive green is accented with a bronze colored butterfly clasp to keep the strap fitted.