What-a-watch: LIP Nautic-ski Electronic

This classic, French-made, stainless steel, electronic LIP Nautic-Ski diver's wrist watch is similar in appearance to IWC's Aquatimer and Jaeger-LeCoultre's Polaris models. This model was LIP's first specially-designed diver's watch, and at the time, was also the world's first electronic diver's model.

It has a stainless steel case with screw-on back. Two large original crowns with cross-hatch decoration can be found on the right side. The 2 o'clock crown turns the inner time-elapse bezel, and the bottom crown sets hands and date. The outside of the case is decorated with LIP's coat-of-arms and is marked "LIP - Electronic - Superwaterproof - Patents Pending." Case width (not including crowns) is 36mm.

The black dial with outer black time-elapse bezel (under the crystal and operated by the top crown) is original. The dial is signed "LIP - Nautic-Ski - Electronic" and bears LIP's "Electronic" lightning flash logo. Applied steel batons with luminous centres circle the dial. Luminous hands. There is also the unique LIP "Electronic" lightning flash second hand. The date window can be found at the 3 o'clock position.

This example is fitted with an original rubber tropic strap as was fitted to the watch when new.

The movement is a LIP-manufactured caliber designated R184. It was based on the R148 (LIP’s second electromechanical movement) but was their first truly successful one. In 1960, the Bulova Watch Company released their tuning fork-based Accutron movement: LIP realized that this was a superior technology to their own, so they increased effort into developing what was to become the LIP R148.

The R184 uses a balance with improved switching and circuitry, needing only one battery. It has 14 jewels and a 18,000 beat movement. It also features a hacking (stops the second hand when setting time) second hand movement. The R148 went through many improvements and changes during its production life. A version with a simple date ring became the R184 and was first produced in 1964. Lip sold the R184 to companies including Benrus, Elgin, Marvin, Universal Geneve, and Waltham.

This particular watch is difficult to date. It was produced between 1964 and 1972. The first year is derived from the first moment the caliber became available, and the last year comes from the fact that the Nautic Ski was replaced by the Super Nautic-Ski in 1972. At the moment there is one for sale at www.sometimeago.com