Rubina Professional Diver

The 1970s was a glorious time for dive watches (and for diving). The desire, of all people, to conquer the deep pushed all houses to develop their own tool watches.

This professional diver, is one of that large group of small brands, which were sourcing from the best known Swiss supplies, to build big, bad*ss, dive watches.

Rubina’ was one of them, registered by Allaine Watch in October 1959 and retired in March 2000. It had previously been owned by Compagnie de Montres Marvin from 1950-1955.

I admit, I have a soft spot for diver with Bakelite bezels.

This piece of steel marker "Rubina" has everything needed to win over the vintage collector:

Its oversize 40mm case, the legendary two-tone Bakelite bezel, beads of rice in Gay Freres's style bracelet, the gas outlet valve in the screwed crown and a gorgeous glossy black dial, with the inidices filled with vintage yellow tritium.