Some remarkable pieces
from the SPIRO VINTAGE collection
One of the prototypes of the Air Liquide-Cousteau-Gagnan regulator, designed between 1943 and 1944.
During these two years, each dive resulted in adjustments aimed at improving the scuba. This model is a reproduction of the one preserved at the Frédéric Dumas Museum in Sanary-sur-Mer, before it was modified to match its appearance during the filming of the film Wrecks.
The first Cousteau-Gagnan scuba suit was launched in July 1946. Its aluminum cylinder, painted black, was equipped with a harness made of flimsy cotton webbing. The wooden crate used to store the cylinder closed with a rudimentary system using two screws.
As for the regulator, it bore no markings, except for a serial number engraved on the back, at the base of the yoke. It also had a curved metal Fernez-type mouthpiece, which was uncomfortable in the mouth.
The 1947 diving suit differs from the 1946 model by the addition of an imposing manufacturer's plate, riveted to the front of the regulator. Furthermore, the Fernez-type metal mouthpiece has been replaced by a lighter rubber version, designed by the manufacturer GODEL for LA SPIROTECHNIQUE.
The 1948-1949 version of the Cousteau-Gagnan scuba diver is distinguished by its silver or blue anodized cylinders. Its harness is designed with a reinforced webbing for greater strength, and the accompanying wooden case is equipped with lever latches.
The "Tri-Monsieur" three-cylinder diver was launched in 1960. Designed specifically for men, it stands out for its imposing size, with three 6.8-liter cylinders each. Due to its weight and size, it was reserved for an elite group of seasoned divers.
The "Tri-Madame" three-bottle was launched in 1960. Designed specifically for women, it stands out for its tailored format, with three 3.33-liter bottles each, providing a perfect balance between weight and stability. Its image was magnificently showcased by Mireille Darc, who promoted it by appearing on the cover of L'Aventure sous-marine magazine that year.
The RAID, designed by TECHNISUB at the request of Captain Cousteau, was launched in 1975.
This new streamlined diving suit, more comfortable than its predecessor, was intended to equip his diving team.
Its name, RAID, is the Italian acronym for Respiratore Aria Idro Dinamico, which in French means
"hydrodynamic air diving suit."
Used by the Cousteau team from 1975 to 1999, it was initially yellow from 1975 to 1982, then painted silver from 1988 to 1999. Available in two 9-liter and two 10-liter versions, it also came in white and red, which are much rarer to find commercially.
The AQUALE underwater exploration board from LA SPIROTECHNIQUE, designed by Belgian Jean de Wouters, one of Cousteau's first companions. He also designed the CALYPSOPHOT camera, which later gave rise to the NIKONOS series.
This is one of the very first models of this board, and probably even a prototype that I date to around 1947.
This is one of the face masks used in 1963 during the filming of "The World Without a Sun" off the coast of Sudan. It was a gift from a friend of Frédéric Dumas.
It was worn by one of the two divers (nicknamed the "black masks") of the COUSTEAU team in charge of the "deep station," André Portelatine or Raymond Kientzy.
This was a mini-breathing set designed for AMX-30 tank crews during submerged river crossings. In the event of a breakdown underwater, each crew member was equipped with this equipment to safely exit the tank and resurface. Specially trained and certified engineer divers, known as "crossing assistance divers" in the French Army, were also tasked with providing underwater assistance and identifying the best crossing points for the tanks in advance.
This device included a nose clip and a harness for attaching a "pony" tank equipped with a SPIRO 8 regulator to the ventral position. The set was supplied in a khaki bag bearing the SPIROTECHNIQUE logo.
This item is rare and hard to find. I was very lucky to acquire one, especially since the SPIRO 8 has retained its manufacturer's plate and still bears its serial number: 11147.
A complete 1968 hookah set, complete with its original wooden case, fully preserved with all its accessories.
A true collector's item, exceptionally rare today, as professional divers often removed the upper storage tray as well as the compartment for weights or mask storage at the bottom of the case.
Complete ERUS wireless communication system with two diver units.
Used by the COUSTEAU team since 1963 for the filming of "The World Without Sun."
AQUAVOX wired communication system complete with 3 diver units.
12-litre bottle from LA SPIROTECHNIQUE from 1961 with the first valve allowing the use of an O-ring instead of a flat seal.
Complete emergency diving suit with AQUAMATIC regulator and 3.33 litre aluminium block.
Complete diver's set from the COUSTEAU team from the "rediscovering the world" period (1986 - 1999) with helmet, wetsuit and AQUARAMA mask.
Test bench for LA SPIROTECHNIQUE regulators.
The AQUADAG used in the 1961 film "Tintin and the Golden Fleece," with a dedication from Jean-Pierre Talbot, who played Tintin on screen.
This dagger's distinctive feature is its red scabbard and the inscription "AQUADAGUE" in French on the handle.
Before the CALYPSO PHOT, the world's first waterproof housing, LA SPIROTECHNIQUE marketed the Focascaph' in the 1950s.
This small housing was specially designed to allow underwater use of the FOCA camera, an iconic post-war camera, widely used and beloved by our parents and grandparents.
The CALYPSO PHOT was the world's first waterproof housing. Designed by Belgian aeronautical engineer Jean de Wouters, who would become one of Cousteau's first crewmates, it marked a major breakthrough in underwater photography.
Manufactured by ATOMS and distributed by LA SPIROTECHNIQUE starting in 1960, it came in two versions. On the left, you can see the very first version from 1960, recognizable by its black logo on the front and its "single-frame" viewfinder, which distinguished it from the second version produced in 1961 and 1962.
In 1963, Nikon bought the CALYPSO PHOT patent and launched production of the NIKONOS, equipped with NIKKOR optics to replace the original SOM BERTHIOT and ANGENIEUX lenses.
Goodies from 1960 offered to LA SPIROTECHNIQUE dealers. There are four ashtrays retracing the history of scuba diving.
- Antiquity
- Middle Ages
- Modern Times
- Today... with LA SPIROTECHNIQUE.
Goodies from 1972, an ashtray made with a ROYAL MISTRAL pan and a manufacturer's plate inside with the number 1972 ... My year of birth ;)
A complete set of Hookah No. 133 from 1965, accompanied by its original wooden case, fully preserved with all its accessories.
A true collector's item, exceptionally rare today, as professional divers often removed the upper storage tray as well as the compartment for storing weights or the mask at the bottom of the case.