Officially launched in 1963 and sold until the end of the 60s, exclusively from Spirotechnique dive shops, the Triton was a technical instrument, one of the more expensive dive watches of its era.
With its crown and hinged protection located at 12 o’clock, it was a precision tool designed and built to the exacting standards of professional and military divers. It could be found on the wrists of Commander Cousteau’s team and on those of elite American and French Navy combat divers.
A patent was registered for its emblematic crown protection system that had been designed to secure it and help prevent any deadly interference while diving.
It was manufactured in France, with a self-winding Swiss ETA caliber; the Triton case had a diameter of 37mm and a bezel measuring 39mm. With the unique style of its bezel numerals – oversized first digits (1, 2, 3, etc.) for the 10 minute markers, and its “roulette” date wheel (alternating red and black numerals for odd and even dates), the Triton was easily recognizable.
Today the name “Subphotique” has been given to this model because it can withstand depths of 500 meters (1640 Ft), far below the ocean’s photic zone (about 200 meters/656 Ft below the ocean’s surface), where light is completely absent.
Its case measures 40mm in diameter and has been constructed from 316L Stainless steel with a brushed finish. The caseback has been screwed onto the case – providing the perfect protection for the high-precision Soprod A10-2 automatic mechanical movement that powers it – resistant to water, dust and pressure.
Further divers features include: a Sapphire crystal with an anti-reflection coating, a 60-click unidirectional bezel (conforming to the 60 min. diving standard). The bezel is fitted with a Sapphire glass inlay for maximum durability. Its markings are in C3 SuperLuminova for maximum legibility.
The crown is a screwdown type for perfect water resistance; this type of crown was developed specifically for diving watches. The crown has a double protection due to the steel surround (crown guard) also screwed to the case.
Water-resistance is 500 meters. The watch case is thoroughly tested against pressure. The test and verification process has two steps: dry testing followed by underwater pressure testing.
The Triton Subphotique is also equipped with a helium escape valve at the 3 o’clock position to withstand decompression stages in a pressure chamber down to 500 meters.
The Subphotique is fitted with an automatic movement based on a modified Soprod A10-2, with Geneva Stripes engraving to the rotor and bridge, 28,800 bph and 42 hours of power reserve. The Triton A10-2 movement is fitted with a Parachrom hairspring, providing greater resistance to shocks and variations in temperature.
Central hours, minutes and seconds. Quick-set date, instant changeover. Hacking seconds for precise setting of the time. The date wheel disc of the Triton Subphotique is a ‘roulette’ type, featuring red odd numbers and black even numbers, for optimal legibility.
Each Triton Subphotique is offered with either a Louisiana Alligator leather strap or a synthetic rubber strap – both are stitched to a black rubber lining. Each strap is fitted with a steel tang buckle marked Triton.
The TRITON Subphotique is available from a handful of European boutiques which include: Ferret in Cannes and Nice, Romain Rea in Paris, De Witt in Brussels and Atelier De Bergues in Genève. MSRP 4950€ (textile) / 5350 € (alligator).
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