LeGran Nautoscaph

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SKU TT01254
SKU TT01254

Why We Love it

A man on a motorboat looks out to sea. He holds a Walkie up to his mouth. The watch on his wrist glints in the sun.

The scene is in Jaws, the seminal 1970s nautical drama that probably made a whole generation afraid of going into the ocean. But for some watch collectors, the drama centered not on the shark, but on what watch Richard Dreyfuss wore in the film. Years—even decades—passed before someone was able to find out.

Finally, in 2010, two brothers hit on the watch’s identify after years of poring over screen caps and Google searches… and then uncovered an even greater mystery.

The watch, it seems, was an Alsta Nautoscaph. But, like what happened with all too many Swiss watch brands after the Quartz Crisis, there was little for the brothers to go on once they made their discovery. Alsta no longer existed, and what information could be found about the brand was scanty.

However, thanks to the diligence of watch sleuths, the holes in the story have been filled in over the years. “Alsta” was a brand owned by the Alstater Watch Company of New York. Alstater, it seems, was a company that primarily imported and cased Swiss-made watches, and then sold them under its own brand names—Alsta being the one that’s most familiar to collectors today.

To make it even more complicated, Alsta also sold the watches that it commissioned from other brands… to other brands.

LeGran was one of those companies. From what we can tell, LeGran subsisted primarily as a distributor, and had agreements with many of the numerous suppliers in Switzerland. This watch, therefore, is an Alsta Nautoscaph that LeGran sold under its own brand name.

The Nautoscaph came in many variations, from the cushion-case version that Dreyfuss wore in Jaws to the 36mm contract case featured here. But the case is sturdy despite the diameter, in keeping with the watch’s 200M depth rating. The glossy black dial, surmounted by green numerals and sword hands, gives the watch a distinctive look of its own while maintaining the classic diver silhouette that we’ve come to know and love.

Rest assured, even though the name on the dial might be obscure, the appeal of this watch certainly is not.  

A:S Guarantee

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Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Shipping & Returns

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All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

LeGran Nautoscaph

LeGran Nautoscaph

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LeGran Nautoscaph

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