First released in 1956, the Super Compressor model is not actually a watch itself, but a watch case developed by the now-defunct Swiss company Ervin Piquerez SA. It is best known for its twin crown design and internal rotating timing ring. However, what truly makes this case special is its spring-loaded back, which gives it its name. Thanks to the spring, the case seal becomes tighter the deeper you dive, enhancing waterproofness compared to other similar models.
Although the Super Compressor model was discontinued in the 1970s, its design remains popular. Therefore, I have compiled a list of five high-quality watches with a similar design. Here is a brief overview of each.
Longines Legend Diver l3-374-4-50-6
The heart of the Longines Legend Diver I3-374-4-50-06 is the Caliber L592 movement, which operates at a smooth rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The 22-jewel movement has a 40-hour power reserve, allowing you to set the watch aside for a couple of days without interruption.
The 36mm stainless steel case of the Legend Diver features a sapphire crystal with a flat top and beveled edges on the outside. It is scratch-resistant and has multiple anti-reflective coatings to minimize glare. Thanks to the Super Compressor style design, the watch is waterproof to a depth of 300 meters.
The dial is understated yet displays all the necessary information. The internal indicator shows the time, with slim gold hashes at each minute mark. Wider hashes indicate 5-minute marks, and prominent numerals are placed at the “12”, “6”, and “9 o'clock” positions. All these markers are easily visible on the flat black dial, with a small date window at the “3 o'clock” position. The night vision is somewhat unusual. While most hashes lack luminescent coating, the 5-minute positions all have a dot or line with a pale blue luminescent coating. The hour hand has a short, stubby arrow tip that also has luminescent marking, as does the relatively thin minute hand.
Outside the main indicator is a rotating dive ring with individual minute markers and 15-, 30-, and 45-minute numerals, with a large triangle pointing to the 60-minute position. To rotate the outer ring, you use the screw-down crown at 2 o'clock. The crown at 4 o'clock is used for setting the time and also screws down for added water protection. The stainless steel strap consists of many small links with a “snakeskin” pattern that truly catches the eye.
Jaeger‑LeCoultre Polaris Automatic
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic uses the Caliber 898E/1, which runs smoothly at 28,800 bph and provides a 38-hour power reserve. The showcase displays this movement to full effect, with all the internal components clearly visible. The internal spring is very discreet. You won't even notice it unless you're looking.
The watch case is made of stainless steel, measuring 41mm in diameter. This makes for a medium-sized watch, noticeable enough on the wrist without being overwhelming. The crystal is slightly domed, with enough curvature to be noticeable but not so much as to distort the view when trying to read the time. The case is water-resistant to 100 meters, which is relatively low for a Super Compressor watch but still good enough for most people in everyday life. The watch features a brown leather strap with unobtrusive stitching and a compact, silver clasp.
Like most Super Compressor watches, the LeCoultre Polaris dial is composed of two rings. The dial itself is an electric blue with a glossy finish that draws attention in good lighting without being overly distracting. The center of the dial is spartan, with only the Jaeger logo and the word “automatique” breaking the smooth finish.
The inner side of the dial has small hash marks indicating one-minute intervals and larger hash marks for 5-minute positions. The 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions are marked with large, prominent numerals. All markers have luminescent coating, as do the straight, minimalist hour and minute hands.
The outer rotating ring is controlled by the crown at 2 o'clock and is relatively narrow. It features small dots for one-minute intervals and larger dots for 5-minute positions. The 15, 30, and 45-minute positions are marked with elegant numerals, and the 60-minute position is marked with a bold triangle.
Oris Chronoris Date
The Oris Chronoris Date watch case is 39mm in size, giving it a minimalist appearance. The stainless steel bezel is unusually wide but has a smooth, rounded profile that's easy on the eyes. The only adornments are the protruding crowns at 2 and 4 o'clock with fine knurling for easy and trouble-free operation. The sapphire crystal is highly scratch-resistant, with a smooth domed profile that's attractive from the side but doesn't obstruct the view from the front.
The Oris 733 movement operates very smoothly, at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The 26-jewel model has a 38-hour power reserve, which is more than sufficient for most users. The strap is made of brown leather with decorative perforations near the lugs. However, the watch's water resistance is only 100 meters. This is enough for most people, but not particularly impressive in the world of dive watches.
The dial itself has a high-contrast look: a black background with thick white hash marks at the 5-minute markers, which are outlined in bold red on the outside. The silver hour and minute hands are rectangular, without narrowing or arrow tips, with a white luminescent strip in the center for better nighttime visibility. The second hand is red, matching the highlights on the 5-minute hashes. There is also a small date window at the “3 o'clock” position. The outer dial is very narrow but highly functional. It features small white markers for one-minute intervals, with thicker markers and small but readable numerals for five-minute intervals.
Farer Aqua Compressor
The Farer Aqua Compressor watch is equipped with an ETA 2824-2 movement with a smooth run of 28,800 beats per hour, 25 jewels, and a solid but not impressive 38-hour power reserve. The movement is housed in a medium-sized stainless steel case. The outer edges smoothly transition into the rounded bezel, but the overall profile is elongated, giving the Aqua Compressor a vintage look. The watch is water-resistant to 300 meters, which is more than adequate for virtually any purpose. It's sufficient for swimming and even deep diving. Depending on the variant you purchase, the watch strap is either rubberized or a three-link stainless steel.
There are three different dial variants. All three variants share a screw-down back and a double-domed sapphire crystal. This glass is not only scratch-resistant but also has a double-curved shape, allowing for a steep dome without obscuring the view of the dial.
The hour, minute, and second hands in all three variants are very similar, though they have different color schemes matching the different dials. The hour and minute hands are thin, with tapered tips and a bright luminescent strip in the center. The second hand is very thin, with a wide arrow tip that is also luminescent for better nighttime visibility.
The dial has a glossy finish, available in black, silver, and electric blue colors. There is no individual minute marking, giving the dial a relatively clean look. Five-minute marks are indicated by large hashes, in some variants - numerals, in others - larger hashes. The date window is absent, further emphasizing the clean appearance of the Aqua Compressor.
The outer dial is narrow, but again, the overall look depends on the variant you purchase. It is available in black, silver, or a black-orange two-tone finish if you want an authentic dive watch look. In all variants, the outer dial is controlled by a screw-down crown at 2 o'clock.
Dan Henry Super Compressor
If you are looking for a Super Compressor watch that looks like a real diving watch, then Dan Henry is a great choice. The watch is waterproof to 200 meters and features the Caliber NH35 movement. It has 24 jewels and a 41-hour power reserve, offering high accuracy as expected from a well-constructed automatic movement. However, unlike the other watches I listed, it doesn't run smoothly but ticks, which is either good or bad, depending on what you're looking for.
The stainless steel case measures 40mm in diameter, with a narrow bezel that provides maximum space for the dial. The bezel is curved at the top, so there are no sharp edges or other protrusions that could cause problems. The mineral glass is domed and slightly darkens the outer ring of the dial. But in the center, it is flat enough not to obstruct the time. It is also covered with an anti-reflective sapphire coating, resistant to scratches. Like most Super Compressor-style watches, it features crowns at 2 and 4 o'clock, with the crown at 2 o'clock controlling the internal rotating ring, and the crown at 4 o'clock adjusting the time.
There are a total of 4 dial variants. Two of them have a two-tone outer dial, adding an extra touch to the diving watch look. The others - bright blue and high-contrast black and white - are easy to read, though they lack some authenticity. However, this is not necessarily a criticism. The beauty of the Dan Henry Super Compressor is that you can purchase any version you like. The central part of the dial is the same across all versions. 5-minute marks are indicated by thick bold hashes, without individual minute markings. The hour and minute hands match the color of the hash marks, and the thin second dial is easy to read.
