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Baylor Neptune (Ref. 10 464) Super-Compressor, 1968 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Baylor Neptune (Ref. 10 464) Super-Compressor, 1968

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Baylor (brand)
Date
1968
Country of origin
United States
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 36.5 mm
Stock no.
BAYNEP10464
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BAYNEP10464)
Catalogue title (original)
1968 Baylor Neptune (Ref. 10 464) Super-Compressor (English)

Editor's note

The dealer's specification gives the brand as Baylor; Benrus is mentioned only among other makers of Super-Compressor watches.

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BAYNEP10464), this is a wristwatch by Baylor, made in United States, dated 1968. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36.5 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Patented in 1956 by Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA), the SuperCompressor case possessed a unique sealing system that set it apart from other dive watch cases of the day. When exposed to higher water pressure, the spring-loaded case back of the SuperCompressor case sealed even tighter. Another innovation with the SuperCompressor was its three-pronged approach to securing the bezel. Whereas the bezels of most dive watches of the period rotated in both directions--running the risk of the diver miscalculating the amount of air left in his tank--the bezel of the SuperCompressor included an internal timing ring, only rotated in one direction, and locked. The diver must rotate the bezel with an additional crown, giving the SuperCompressor case its distinctive twin crown appearance. While not the best innovation in practice (due to the difficulty of manipulating a crown with diving gloves), the SuperCompressor case gained popularity. Dozens of other brands released dive watches with SuperCompressor cases, the most notable being Jaeger-LeCoultre, Enicar, Universal Genève, and IWC, Benrus, and Longines. SPECS Stock # BAYNEP10464 Brand Baylor Style Neptune Model 10 464 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Grey Millimeters 36.5mm Bracelet 2pc Tropic Rubber Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent super-compressor case is believed to remain unpolished retaining strong factory dimensions with honest signs of light use. The case retains its original twin crowns, showing the classic super compressor cross-hatched texture. The original crystal exhibits some crazing which is common for crystals from this era. The case back retains all of its original factory markings clearly and in great condition. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc tropic rubber strap. DIAL & HANDS The sunburst grey dial is in simply stunning condition, showing no major signs of age or blemishes. The tritium markers have achieved a charming patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly and display no degradation under U.V. light inspection. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is functioning and keeping time, previous service history is unknown.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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