Prim Sport 1 (Reference 68 150 1), nicknamed "Igen" (short for Generation)
Dive Watch / Skin Diver · Prim (Elton Hodinářská), the national watchmaker of Czechoslovakia. Tier: Reliable domestic tool watches (Vintage Eastern Bloc).
Period: Modernist Tool Watch (Late 1960s-1970s). Indicators include the chrome-plated tonneau case, large luminous block indices, and utilitarian 'flying saucer' silhouette.
Type
Dive Watch / Skin Diver
Brand
Prim (Elton Hodinářská), the national watchmaker of Czechoslovakia. Tier: Reliable domestic tool watches (Vintage Eastern Bloc).
Movement
Manual-wind, In-house Caliber 68 (specifically 68.3), 17 jewels, frequency 18,000 bph, power reserve approx. 38 hours.
Dimensions
Diameter: 36mm; Thickness: 12mm; Lug-to-lug: 43mm; Lug width: 19mm. Wears small by modern dive standards but has significant wrist presence due to the case shape.
Description
The Prim Sport 1 is the most iconic Czechoslovak dive watch. Designed for use by the Czechoslovak army (ČSLA) and general public, it represents a brutalist, functionalist approach to horology. Its high-contrast dial and orange hands were designed for maximum legibility during water activities.
Key Features
The distinctive 'stadium' indices with red dots; the use of the in-house Caliber 68; the black plastic bezel; and the 'ČSSR' (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic) origin stamp.
Dial Description
Matte black dial with large, printed luminescent rectangles featuring red accent squares ('stadium' style). Orange-painted baton hour and minute hands, yellow seconds hand. Date aperture at 3 o'clock. Marked 'PRIM SPORT', '17 JEWELS', and 'ČSSR' at 6 o'clock.
Case Material
Chrome-plated brass (common for Eastern Bloc manufacturing of the era) with a high-polished finish. The plating is noticeably worn at the lug edges.
Crystal Type
Acrylic (Plexiglass), domed. Visible scratches and a small crack/chip on the right edge near the 2 o'clock position.
Bezel Details
Bidirectional friction-fit bezel made of black plastic/resin with a white serrated dive scale (0-60). Missing its original luminous dot in the 12 o'clock triangle.
Crown & Pushers
Small, unsigned push-pull crown located at 3 o'clock, recessed slightly into the case side. No crown guards.
Bracelet or Strap
Aftermarket stainless steel 'H-link' style folded-link bracelet. This is not the original rubber or tropic strap that would have come with the watch.
Caseback Details
Solid, screw-down stainless steel caseback. Usually features the Prim logo and 'Waterproof' text alongside the reference number.
Movement Type
Manual-wind, In-house Caliber 68 (specifically 68.3), 17 jewels, frequency 18,000 bph, power reserve approx. 38 hours.
Water Resistance
Originally rated for 4 ATM (40 meters), though purely splash-proof today. Not suitable for swimming or diving in its current vintage condition.
Origin & Provenance
Nové Město nad Metují, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). Entirely in-house production behind the Iron Curtain.
Age Estimate
Circa 1968-1975. The 'ČSSR' marking and Caliber 68 date it firmly to this mid-Cold War production window.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of national pride in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It proved that the Eastern Bloc could produce reliable, stylish tool watches to compete with Western 'skin divers'. Highly collectible in Central Europe.
Condition Notes
Fair condition. Heavy wear to the chrome plating (base metal visible). Bezel is scratched and missing luminous pip. Lume on hands is degrading/discolored. Bracelet is a non-original addition.
Value Estimate
Approximately $300 - $600 USD. Value is highly dependent on the condition of the plastic bezel and the integrity of the chrome plating.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid all water contact as gaskets are likely dried and the crown is non-screw-down. Service every 5 years; movement parts are plentiful in the Czech Republic but harder to find elsewhere. Do not over-polish as the chrome plating is thin.
Similar Watches
Glashütte Spezimatic (GDR), Seiko 62MAS, Doxa SUB 300 (though the Doxa is much more expensive and technically advanced).
Interesting Facts
The Sport 1 was famously worn by František Venclovský, the first Czechoslovak to swim the English Channel in 1971. It was the only dive watch available to citizens of Czechoslovakia for decades.