Vulcain continues its impressive revival with the introduction of the Skindiver Nautique GMT Purple, a vibrant and travel-ready addition to its vintage-inspired tool watch line. Dressed in a deep purple gradient and equipped with a dual-time complication, this new reference blends 1960s diving aesthetics with real-world practicality for globetrotters and enthusiasts alike.
Vulcain’s Skindiver renaissance continues
Founded in 1858, Vulcain is best known for its Cricket alarm watch, famously worn by U.S. Presidents. But beyond this heritage piece, the brand has been steadily rebuilding its catalog with accessible, retro-infused models that pay tribute to its mid-century sports watches. Among them, the Skindiver Nautique collection stands out for its historical grounding: originally a line of 200m divers in the 1960s, these watches were designed for underwater adventure and professional use.
With the new GMT Purple, Vulcain expands the line’s utility while embracing a bolder palette. This marks a continuation of the brand’s strategy to revitalize classic silhouettes with contemporary colors, movements, and proportions—positioning the Skindiver Nautique as both a nod to the past and a watch for the present.
Vintage diver feel, upgraded for the modern traveler
Housed in a 316L stainless steel case measuring 38.3mm in diameter and 12.2mm thick, the GMT Purple preserves the compact sizing that made the original Skindiver so wearable. The case is fully brushed, adding to its utilitarian vibe, while the bidirectional 24-hour bezel, crafted in ceramic, adds the GMT function in an elegant and legible way.
Powering the watch is the Soprod C125 automatic movement, offering a second time zone via a central GMT hand, along with hacking seconds and a 42-hour power reserve. The date is neatly positioned at 6 o’clock, avoiding visual clutter. Water resistance remains a respectable 200 meters, and the watch is paired with a black tropic-style rubber strap for comfort and style or a very singular steel bracelet.
What sets this version apart visually is the degradé purple dial, fading from a bright center to near-black at the periphery. It’s a bold choice, rarely seen in dive watches, and it adds depth and personality to an otherwise sober design. Applied indices and hands are filled with light cream-colored Super-LumiNova, which enhances vintage appeal without sacrificing night-time visibility.
Designed for the nostalgic traveler
The Vulcain Skindiver Nautique GMT Purple is for those who value heritage but live in the now. It’s the kind of watch that makes sense both in a collector’s rotation and as a daily driver. Its modest size wears well on a range of wrists, while the purple dial offers just enough personality to stand out without being flashy.
Aesthetically, the watch references classic skin divers of the 1960s, but the GMT hand and 24-hour scale provide modern utility for frequent travelers or desk pilots. It doesn’t scream luxury, nor does it try to reinvent the genre—it simply refines it with a tasteful twist. For urban explorers, weekend adventurers, or those nostalgic for analogue tools with a splash of color, this piece lands right in the sweet spot.
A confident release from a resurgent brand
With this latest release, Vulcain demonstrates once again that it knows how to balance nostalgia with relevance. The Skindiver Nautique GMT is beautifully executed, reasonably sized, and thoughtfully priced. At CHF 1,790 (approx. $2,050 USD) on a rubber strap, it offers serious value for a Swiss-made GMT with solid specs and strong aesthetics.
Availability is set for the upcoming weeks, with pre-orders already open on Vulcain’s official website. Quantities are limited to 100 pieces, and if past Skindiver models are any indication, this edition may not linger long on the “shelves”. If you’ve been waiting for a watch that feels like a vintage find but lives in the modern world—with a bit of purple flair—this might just be the one. Thanks for reading—hope this one made your horological heart skip a beat.
