Lip Nautic Ski Fantôme automatic black dial rubber strap 41 mm

Heritage and Legend of the Nautic Fantôme

Born in 1967 to celebrate LIP’s centenary, the Nautic-Ski marked a turning point in the history of French watchmaking. As the first French watch water-resistant to 200 meters, featuring a “Super-Compressor” case and an internal rotating bezel, it was designed for modern adventurers—from Fred Lip to Éric Tabarly, and even the crew of Commander Cousteau. A true technical feat for its time, it combined the robustness of a tool watch with a typically French sense of elegance.

Far from being just another diver’s watch, the Nautic-Ski embodied an attitude: one of performance, speed, and mastery. Its name itself reflected this dual spirit — “Nautic” for its impressive water resistance, and “Ski” for Fred Lip and his daughter Muriel’s shared passion for skiing, the latter having been part of the French national alpine ski team in the 1950s.

Nearly sixty years later, the Nautic Fantôme carries that legendary torch forward with a radical approach: embracing shadow and discretion. Entirely dressed in matte black, it retains the technical DNA and pioneering spirit of the original model while asserting a distinctly modern and charismatic aesthetic.
Every detail pays tribute to LIP’s tradition: the Super-Compressor case, twin screw-down crowns, internal bezel, and of course, that unmistakable silhouette — a true French diver’s watch built for action and endurance.

More than a reissue, the Nautic Fantôme is a dark and captivating reinterpretation of one of the most iconic watches ever produced by the Besançon manufacture — a bridge between heritage and modernity, between light and shadow.

Design & Diving Features

At first glance, the LIP Nautic Fantôme R25 ref. 671860 reveals its strong personality: a stealthy, monochrome watch built for performance. Entirely coated in matte black PVD, it embraces a minimalist, almost military aesthetic, where every detail serves a functional purpose.

The sandblasted 316L stainless steel Super-Compressor case revives the ingenious design principle of the 1967 original: the greater the water pressure, the tighter the seal. The result is a 200-meter (20 ATM) water resistance worthy of true professional dive watches. Two oversized crowns at 2 and 4 o’clock control the internal bidirectional bezel and time-setting, their wide knurling allowing easy handling—even with diving gloves.

Beneath a double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating lies a matte black dial that faithfully echoes the 1967 Nautic Automatic’s design: painted numerals and indexes, a clear minute track, and the signature “arrow” minute hand. Here, no unnecessary reflections—maximum legibility is ensured, even in the depths. The hands and indexes coated in white Super-LumiNova offer sharp contrast and perfect readability in total darkness.

The transparent screw-down caseback reveals the automatic Miyota 8215 movement, beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, renowned for its robustness and reliability. A tried-and-true calibre, enhanced by the transparency of sapphire which lets the wearer admire its mechanical beauty.

For comfort, the Nautic Fantôme is fitted with a perforated black Tropic rubber strap, faithful to vintage diving traditions: supple, breathable, and perfectly suited to extended aquatic use. Its openwork texture efficiently drains water while enhancing the model’s sporty, functional look.

Finally, the “Fantôme” name is no coincidence—it reflects LIP’s desire to create a diver’s watch devoid of shine, rendered entirely in matte tones and subtle shadows. A watch built for action, understated yet powerful, equally at ease underwater or on dry land.

The Automatic Movement

True to the Nautic line’s philosophy of strength and reliability, the LIP Fantôme houses a Miyota 8215 automatic mechanical movement, renowned for its longevity and precision. Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, this calibre provides approximately 42 hours of power reserve, ensuring stable and consistent timekeeping whether worn daily or left at rest.

Featuring a smooth central second hand and bidirectional automatic winding, it combines performance with ease of maintenance. This Japanese movement—chosen for its proven architecture and durability—guarantees exceptional reliability, fully in line with LIP’s long-standing reputation for functional tool watches.