THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: BEUCHAT
MODEL: 1.187.1.0.04
YEAR: 1994
BOX/PAPERS: NO/YES
CASE DIAMETER: 42MM
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: TEXTILE
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

Here at Falco, we are fortunate to have handled many rare military-issued watches: from Royal Navy-issued Precistas to Aeronautica Militare–issued Zeniths and Marine Nationale–issued Auricostes. What we have here, however, is something even lesser known: a Beuchat Marine Nationale Diver.

If your immediate reaction was to Google what on earth Beuchat is, you would likely have been met with catalogues of dive masks and wetsuits, you’re welcome. Indeed, Beuchat is a dive equipment company founded in Marseille in 1934. In the 1990s, however, they were commissioned to produce watches for the French Navy, and the result was this ultimate diving machine.

The watch means business, boasting an impressive 1000 m depth rating. The case design is robust and practical, as is the dial, with high-contrast markers, hands, and layout for maximum legibility. Despite its 42 mm case, the lug-to-lug is only 45 mm, making it a joy to wear even on smaller wrists.

This example was ordered from the Service d’approvisionnement des ordinaires et des marins at the Cherbourg Naval base in 1994. It comes with its original Velcro strap and is currently fitted on these lovely black textile straps.

So cool.