A retro-inspired dive watch that’s been popular since Longines unveiled the first Legend Diver in 2007, the “Super Compressor” is characterised by two crowns, one for the winding and setting, and the other to rotate the inner bezel. The latest brand to get on the “Super Compressor” bandwagon is Marnaut, which just launched the Seascape 200 on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter.

Founded by a Croatian watch enthusiast with an eye for detail, Marnaut’s design is centred on a simple but distinctive feature – circular, applied markers radiating outwards on the dial – 34 markers in total – inspired by the shell of a sea urchin.

The rest of the dial is typical of retro-style dive watches, with large hands and an inner elapsed time bezel with a vintage-inspired serif font. And that is complemented by the perforated rubber strap modelled on vintage “tropic” bands.

The steel case is a compact 40mm in diameter, but somewhat thick at 13mm high. As is convention for a “Super Compressor” the crown at four is for winding and setting, while the crown at two rotates the bezel.

But the “Super Compressor” nickname has nothing to do with the crowns – Super-Compressor (as well as Compressor) was a type of water-resistant watch case patented by defunct case maker E. Piquerez SA (EPSA), which had a unique sprung, screw-down case back that sealed tighter against the watch case with growing atmospheric pressure as depth increased.

Like all crowdfunded watches at this price – the Seascape costs just under US$300 – it is produced in China, via a contractor in Hong Kong. The movement inside is a Miyota 9015, a robust automatic produced by a subsidiary of Citizen.

Key facts and price

Seascape 200

Diameter: 40mm
Height: 13mm
Material: Steel
Water-resistance: 200m

Movement: Miyota 9015
Functions: Hour, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4Hz)
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Rubber or croc-pattern calfskin

Availability: Direct from Marnaut via Kickstarter
Price: From US$281

For more information, visit Marnaut.com.