Another new brand on the blog and this time it’s something of a cult classic, the Alsta Nautoscaph.
(Click pictures to enlarge)
Although not technically or aesthetically different from many other divers produced in the 1960’s and 70’s, the Alsta Nautoscaph gained recognition in the watch collecting world after being worn by Richard Dreyfuss (playing Oceanographer, Matt Hooper) in the movie Jaws.
You may be looking at the picture and thinking, “Hang on Rich, that looks like a different watch?!” and you’d be right as the Nautoscaph was produced in two different case styles, the slim cased version in this post and also the cushion cased version worn by Dreyfuss in the movie.
Exactly which watch was being worn by Hooper in Jaws was one of the longest running mysteries among “watch spotters”, until it was finally identified in 2010, only 35 years after the release of the movie. Since then both versions have received a bump in collectability (and value) with all-original versions of the cushion cased model being the most sought after.
Although neither version say the word ‘Nautoscaph’ on the dial, opting for ‘Superautomatic’ in both cases, the model name is clearly displayed on the caseback.
Inside the watch is an ETA cal. 2452, a workhorse calibre of the late 1960’s and 70’s which can be found in watches from countless manufacturers. It has 17 jewels, a beat rate of 21,600 bph and a limited quickset for the date.
Notice too the ‘bike tyre’ sized caseback gasket which was used in combination with a screwdown crown and thick domed acrylic crystal to ensure the claimed water resistance of 999ft (300 metres) was achieved.
The watch was in relatively good condition this time, running on arrival, it needed no more than a routine movement service, a clean for the case and polish for the crystal.
If finding an original Nautoscaph proves difficult, it may be useful to know that, although Alsta was a victim of the quartz crisis during the early 1980’s, the company was resurrected in 2014. Their first watch was a re-issue of the slim cased version of the Nautoscaph, the Nautoscaph II, followed by the Nautoscaph III, technically identical but this time in a PVD coated case. Both watches were released in limited numbers; 300 and 50 respectively.
For more information on the revived Alsta brand and their watches, you can visit their website here: http://www.alstawatch.com/
If you prefer the cushion cased model then a ‘Hooper’ homage from Resco may fit the bill. Fitted with either a quartz movement or a modern ETA cal. 2824-2, it captures the spirit of the original. More information here: https://rescoinstruments.com/collections/hooper
Rich.
