La Spirotechnique Issued Marine Nationale Diver (1992)

– Black Dial
– Stainless Steel
– Iconic Brand
– Iconic Logo
– 40mm case
– 20mm lugs
– Date
– 200m Water Resistance
– 1992
– Automatic
– ETA 2824 – 2
– Issued to the MN Divers
– Issue Number 1086B
– Reference 906.21.05
– Comes with 2 straps

Marine Nationale alert!

If you’re looking to start your Marine Nationale collection, here is your chance. These pieces don’t come to market very often. And tend to stay with collectors as their favourite pieces. Anything that is issued to the Marine Nationale is so very rare these days.

What we have here is the Auricoste Spirotechnique. With its issued caseback markings of 1086B denoting it was issued in 1992 in Brest. What many don’t know is that Auricoste was one of the brands that replaced the Tudor Snowflake Subs within the unit. These were specifically issued to elite combat divers (nageurs de combat) and mine clearance divers (plongeurs démineurs).

Brest is the home of the French Navy (Marine Nationale) and is the historical military port on the Penfield River. Spirotechnique was formed in 1947 to develop the patent for the first Aqualung regulator which was invented by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan. Cousteau was a French naval officer in WWII and helped create France’s commando Frogman Unit. Cousteau was also a member of the Boards of La Spirotechnique, U.S Divers Inc, and their parent company Aqua Lung International.

The Auricoste is a handsome diver designed to withstand extreme military use, it features a steel case with an unusual crown placement at the 4 o’ clock position to prevent it digging into the wrist whilst on tactical manoeuvre’s. The iconic yellow scuba diver logo is also seen on the dial.

Why this issued Auricoste is so special though is that it has been featured in the amazing Marine Nationale Book (Registre) by Watchistry.

A fantastic book and an absolute must for any MN collector or Military watch afficianado.

This one is a true mil spec watch in every sense, with a history to match. You will not be disappointed.

Bonne Plongèe!