Key Features
Vintage Swiss TEMPORIS diving watch with a rare collectible caseback with submersible 1969 JIM Atmospheric Diving Suit emblem (check out the photos!).
This watch, with its bright face, cool cushion shape, and the combination of brushed sides and polished bevels, makes it an attractive accessory for your wrist as well as a cool piece of history. Definitely a good icebreaker at any awkward gatherings! It also features a rare steel bezel with a Triton-style bakelite/acrylic insert, which looks way more valuable than the more simple diver watches.
About the “JIM” Diving Suit
The atmospheric diving system, AKA “JIM”, was introduced in 1969, and designed by Mike Humphrey, Mike Borrow, Richard Tuson and Joseph Salim Peress. The suit is huge and very unwieldy, even a little scary looking, and thus was named “Jim” by the ADS in an attempt to personalise and familiarise it. The name is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, and was meant as a genuine tribute to its first test diver Jim Jarret. Although unfortunately the suit’s name as “Jim” in fact detracted from Jarret’s public recognition, instead placing all the limelight on the suit itself.
The JIM suit was first used commercially in 1974, carrying out work for Retrasub in the Canary Islands and an attempted well head recovery for Occidental in the North Sea. Oceaneering acquired the rights to licence the suits in 1975, which led to an increase in their use for deep sea diving in the oil industry. By 1981 there were over 19 suits in existence. However, while the JIM suit had its advantages over saturation diving, the user experience was not pleasant. But despite this, the suit broke many depth records, and paved the way for the further development and improvement of deep sea diving equipment in future years.
About Temporis
The Temporis watch brand was registered by the famous watchmaking company, Le Phare, and was mostly active from 1960 to the 1970’s. They produced complicated wristwatches with chronograph, dato-compax day/date/month, and moonphase functions. the brand is still around today, although their brand image is very different from what is was during the 60’s and 70’s – just one more great watch brand decimated by the quartz crisis.
Servicing and Guarantee
This timepiece has been serviced with full disassembly. There is a 12-month guarantee, subject to the usage and care guidelines. The watch comes with a high-quality khaki nylon strap.
Overview
Case and Strap
- Original, interesting square shaped case with curved edges.
- Steel bezel with bakelite/acrylic insert.
- Solid steel case body.
- Original acrylic crystal with date loupe.
- Stainless steel screw caseback.
- Dust-proof.
- New khaki nylon strap.
Dimensions:
- Width w/o crown 37.5 mm.
- Width w/ crown 39 mm.
- Full height 39.5 mm.
- Thickness 12.5 mm.
- Strap width 20 mm.
Dial and Hands
- Original shiny beige/silver tone dial.
- Small silver-tone block indices with lume.
- Interesting “TEMPORIS” signature below numeral 12 position.
- Square date window over numeral 3 position.
- Silver-tone ‘block’ style hands with lume.
- Interesting silver-tone centre seconds with diamond shaped lume tip.
Movement
- Swiss-made movement.
- ETA 2472 caliber.
- 25 jewels.
- Automatic.
- Sunray finishing of plate.
- Polished wheels and screws.
Testing Results
- Testing duration: 2 weeks cyclic test.
- Average timekeeping range: 15-30 sec/day.
Servicing and Guarantee
- Fully serviced.
- Mechanics in full working order.
- New khaki nylon strap.
- 12-month guarantee.
- Guarantee Terms and Conditions.
Links and Resources:
About the JIM Atmospheric Diving Suit.
Current Temporis Watches Official Website.
