Pretty excited about this one. I've been on the hunt for what I consider a proper skin diver. Which is something from the early 60's with huge indices, big hands, and a very utilitarian dial layout. This even has a screw down crown.

It's the same case and dial from the Jaquet-Droz diver of the same ilk, but was produced for Swiss brand, LIDHER. Inside is a Felsa 692 (25-jewel) housed in the rare 2000 Brevet case—which pre-dates the 2002 case used on the Titus Calypsomatic and Technos Sky Diver. This puts the watch around the 1959-61 period. So definitely an early skin diver.

Cannot wait to see it in person.

 

Looks great! congrats on the purchase. I have a princeton skin diver but its been away at service for quite some time now

 

I like the dial and hands, very appealing watch. A screw-down crown is certainly unusual on these skin divers, which is cool. In fact, it almost takes it into the professional diver category for me. Also a bit unusual that an automatic movement is not marked on the dial. Makes for a nice clean look.

 

I thought the same thing. There’s some interesting things happening. I also really like the round date magnifier—don’t see that too often. Here’s the Jaquet Droz model this one is based from.

 

Really nice looking utilitarian watch!

 

The big Jaquet Droz 2 crown was issued to the Australian Navy clearance divers and is very, very hard to find today. All vanished into collectors vaults. And expensive now....

 

Like this one? (Owned by the fellow who sold me the LIDHER.)

 

If it is 42 mm without crown and RAN issued on the back : Yes.

 

That appears to be the more common 36mm version.

 

That was not issued. More common model. But they are nice watches.

 

No , it is the 42 mm epsa case

 

Certainly could be. Is it your watch?

 

It's a 42mm case...I know the owner.

 

Hi Dan, no unfortunately not
The 42mm is distinguished by the logo ( fish) which is shorter than the name "DROZ" .
The 36 mm has the fish logo at the same width as the word DROZ.
Cheers
Mark

 

The LIDHER landed yesterday, and I had some time to handle it. It's a very impressive little diver considering the age. Thinking no younger than 1963, given the circle shaped date magnifier. Apparently they switched to a rectangular shape in or around '64. The other cool thing is the date magnifier is positioned to alignwith the date window (DUH), but the date window on a Felsa 692 is positioned closer to the center of the dial than an A. Schild, ETA, or newer Felsa.

This is also my first diver with the 2000 case, which is on another level when compared to the generic skin diver case that countless watches of this era used. It has thicker lugs that are drilled, and the shape is slightly different. It's just heavier. If anyone has more info on this case I'm curious. I think it was produced by Dodane, who may have also made the 2002 case (which is used on the Titus Calypsomatic and Technos Sky Diver, among many others)

The period-correct Aqua GS strap is also incredibly nice. Really makes the watch.

 

That's a really great looking watch.

 

Very nice watch, many congrats !

 

Thanks! Very pleased with it.