What if I told you this dive watch once cost more than a Rolex Submariner back in the 70s and 80s? The Exactus Deepswim is a genuine, no-nonsense dive watch that was never found in a jeweler’s display—it was sold exclusively through specialized dive shops. Built for the harshest underwater environments, this tool watch represents the golden age of analog dive technology. This particular piece has remained untouched since it first landed in the showcase, sourced directly from the inventory of a long-shuttered dive outfitter.
The Exactus Deepswim boasts a remarkable mechanical depth gauge—an innovative feature at the time. It uses a double plexiglass construction with a small intake hole on the crown side that lets water enter a narrow channel. As you dive deeper, water pressure pushes through the channel and into a membrane, gradually filling the red and white scale visible on the dial to indicate your depth. No batteries, no gimmicks—just physics.
Adding to its utilitarian design is a bi-directional aluminum bezel and a black dial richly coated with tritium for legibility in murky waters. Housed in a sturdy 39mm stainless steel case rated for 200 meters of depth, the watch is powered by the venerable ETA caliber 2451 automatic movement. This particular model comes fitted with a modern tropical rubber strap—a practical and stylish nod to vintage aesthetics, engineered for today’s comfort and durability.
Reference: 8897 Caliber: ETA 2451 Case: 39mm steel
