Why We Love It

Not all dive watches are created equal, and this one by Precimax certainly lives up to its name. At 42mm, the SuperCompressor case of this Aquamax Safety is one that you certainly won’t forget you have strapped to your wrist. Manufactured by EPSA, these cases were widely used throughout the industry and are notable for their twin crowns with a distinctive crosshatch pattern.

However, most of the SuperCompressor divers we’ve offered range from 36 to 38mm, making this 42mm one a rare treat.

Although these cases were contract affairs, some companies customized theirs, and Precimax certainly was one of those. This case boasts brush finishing that is absolutely exquisite. From the robust ETA 2782 automatic movement to the silver sunburst dial, this Aquamax is the perfect choice for those weekend summer days when only a vintage dive watch will suit.

The Story

Before the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s, mechanical watch brands popped up like mushrooms on a rainy day. As quartz movements increased in production and distribution, many of these operations gradually faded out of existence or were scooped up by larger, more powerful coalitions. But while those companies disappeared, the watches that they produced remain, unfamiliar names that belie their quality construction.

Precimax is one of these brands.

Although we could find little out there on the history of Precimax, we learned from its website that it’s been around “half a century.” The watches that it produced in its heyday ranged from sedate affairs to complicated—and complex—wristwatches like the chronograph featured in this on Hodinkee. Judging from the article, Precimax certainly had a lot to offer.