Dan Henry 1970 Automatic Diver (40mm Blue Edition)
Dive Watch / Super Compressor Style · Dan Henry Watches. Founded by a world-renowned watch collector, this microbrand is positioned in the 'Affordable Enthusiast' tier, known for high-quality vintage-inspired designs.
Period: Modern Luxury / Neo-Vintage (1970s Design Language). Indicators include the dual-crown Super Compressor case layout, internal rotating bezel, and high-contrast orange accents quintessential of 1970s dive chronometry.
Type
Dive Watch / Super Compressor Style
Brand
Dan Henry Watches. Founded by a world-renowned watch collector, this microbrand is positioned in the 'Affordable Enthusiast' tier, known for high-quality vintage-inspired designs.
Movement
Automatic, Seiko Caliber NH35. This workhorse movement operates at 21,600 vph (3Hz), features 24 jewels, and offers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours with hacking and hand-winding capabilities.
Dimensions
Case Diameter: 40mm, Thickness: 14.8mm, Lug-to-Lug: 45.7mm, Lug Width: 22mm. Despite the thickness, the short lug-to-lug makes it wear smaller and more comfortably than typical 40mm divers.
Description
An evocative tribute to the 1970s 'Super Compressor' divers, the Dan Henry 1970 blends vintage character with modern reliability. Its standout feature is the internal rotating bezel, which is protected under the crystal, preventing accidental movement during a dive. The vibrant contrast between the deep blue dial and the safety-orange minute hand creates a striking visual impact that captures the funk and functionality of 70s tool watches.
Key Features
Internal rotating bezel via dual-crown system, 'Scaphtopus' caseback engraving,Plongeur hands, and the high-value Seiko NH35 internal movement.
Dial Description
Matte navy blue dial with a white minutes track. Features applied indices with Swiss Super-LumiNova, a date window at 3 o'clock, and a signature orange 'Plongeur' style minute hand for high legibility under water.
Case Material
316L Stainless Steel with a brushed finish on the lugs and case sides; the crowns feature a cross-hatched grid pattern typical of vintage compressors.
Crystal Type
Double-domed Sapphire-coated Mineral Glass with anti-reflective treatment. It provides the vintage aesthetic of acrylic with the scratch resistance of sapphire.
Bezel Details
Internal rotating diver's bezel operated by the upper crown at the 2 o'clock position. The bezel is finished in a silver/white color with a 60-minute scale and a luminescent triangle at the zero marker.
Crown & Pushers
Dual screw-down crowns. The 2 o'clock crown controls the inner bezel; the 4 o'clock crown controls time/date setting. Both feature the classic cross-hatched compressor engraving.
Bracelet or Strap
Blue Tropic-style rubber strap with a diamond-weave texture and 'perforated' holes for breathability. Finished with a brushed stainless steel tang buckle.
Caseback Details
Screw-down solid stainless steel caseback featuring a detailed 3D engraving of a Scaphtopus (a mixture of a diver's helmet and an octopus), emphasizing its maritime heritage.
Movement Type
Automatic, Seiko Caliber NH35. This workhorse movement operates at 21,600 vph (3Hz), features 24 jewels, and offers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours with hacking and hand-winding capabilities.
Water Resistance
200 Meters (660 Feet). Suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not for deep-sea saturation diving as it lacks a helium escape valve.
Origin & Provenance
Brand based in Brazil/International; Components sourced and manufactured in Asia utilizing a Japanese Seiko movement. Represented as a tribute to the era of large-cased professional divers.
Age Estimate
Circa 2017-2023. This specific 40mm iteration followed the original 44mm launch to accommodate modern diameter preferences.
Cultural Significance
Represents the modern 'Microbrand Revolution' where collectors create accessible versions of unattainable vintage icons. It popularizes the 'Super Compressor' case style which was originally patented by Ervin Piquerez S.A. (EPSA) in the 1950s.
Condition Notes
Based on the image, the watch appears to be in Very Good condition. The brushing on the lugs is crisp, the crystal shows no major chips, and the Tropic strap remains supple with no cracking. Lume on the markers appears clean without discoloration.
Value Estimate
MSRP: Approximately $290 USD. Resale value typically ranges from $200 to $275 depending on the presence of the original watch roll and plastic cylinder packaging.
Care & Maintenance
Service the NH35 movement every 5-7 years. Ensure both crowns are fully screwed down before any water exposure. Rinse with fresh water after salt-water use to prevent corrosion of the spring bars.
Similar Watches
Longines Legend Diver (luxury alternative), Baltic Aquascaphe Dual-Crown, and the vintage Bulova 666 Feet Super Compressor.
Interesting Facts
Dan Henry, the founder, owns one of the world's most extensive vintage watch collections (over 1,500 pieces), and each model he releases is inspired by a specific favorite from his personal archive.