LIP Nautic 666 Automatic Manufacture R26 black dial beige tropic strap 39 mm

The Nautic 666 Legacy Reimagined

When LIP launched the Nautic 666 in the late 1960s, the Besançon-based manufacture created one of the boldest dive watches of its time. Designed for the North American market, it bore a curious inscription on its dial: “666 feet.” While the number may have amused—or unsettled—the superstitious, it simply referred to the watch’s true water resistance of 200 meters. Thus was born its legendary nickname: the “Devil Diver.”

At a time when few brands dared such unconventional communication, Fred Lip—visionary and iconoclast—chose to proudly display this depth on the dial, while others concealed it out of superstition. This daring move left a lasting mark on the brand’s history and cemented the Nautic 666 as a legend among French tool watches.

Produced in limited numbers at the time, this model has since become one of the most sought-after pieces by collectors. Its balance between functional design, adventurous spirit, and strong visual identity makes it a key milestone in French watchmaking history.

In 2025, LIP revives this icon as a true manufacture dive watch. The Nautic 666 R26 retains the lines of the historic model while integrating modern technical codes: a 39 mm 316L stainless steel case, unidirectional rotating bezel, and above all, the LIP R26 automatic calibre — the first in-house movement from Besançon since Fred Lip’s era.

Designed for those who face the depths with elegance, this reissue preserves the pioneering spirit and boldness of its ancestor while paying tribute to the genius of French watchmaking.

Design & Diving Functionality

The Nautic 666 R26 ref. 676054 revives the spirit of the original diver while refining it with remarkable precision.
Its 39 mm 316L stainless steel case recalls the vintage proportions of the original model while ensuring contemporary comfort on the wrist. The unidirectional rotating bezel, fitted with a black anodized aluminum insert, allows for accurate and secure measurement of dive times.

Protected by a slightly domed sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating, the black sunray-finished dial offers a clear, elegant display. Large hands and indexes coated with “Old Radium” luminescent material guarantee perfect legibility, even in darkness. The result is a cohesive and highly legible composition — a watch designed first and foremost for action.

Equipped with a screw-down crown, the Nautic 666 ensures water resistance to 200 meters (20 ATM), placing it firmly in the category of professional-grade dive watches.
The screw-down exhibition caseback reveals the refined finishing of the in-house LIP R26 movement, laser-decorated and engraved with the LIP logo — a proud nod to the watch’s French heritage.

For maximum comfort, this version features a beige “Tropic” style rubber strap — soft, breathable, and designed for prolonged use in aquatic environments.
Its perforated texture, iconic of 1960s dive watches, offers excellent grip while allowing water to drain efficiently.
Fastened by a stainless steel pin buckle, this technical yet vintage strap completes the retro-sporty aesthetic of the Nautic 666, perfectly suited to life both above and below the surface.

Individually numbered, each Nautic 666 R26 embodies the philosophy of the manufacture: blending the understated elegance of French design with genuine technical performance.

The LIP R26 Movement

Convinced that it was time to restore LIP’s former prestige, the management of the Besançon manufacture launched an ambitious project: to design once again a truly French-made calibre, worthy of Fred Lip’s legacy.
After three years of patient development in collaboration with the SupMicroTech engineering school in Besançon, the LIP R26 calibre was born — the first automatic movement designed and assembled in Besançon in over half a century.

Developed through reverse engineering of a proven mechanical base, the R26 was completely redesigned: new blueprints, reworked components, micrometric adjustments, and refined modern finishes.
Over 70% of its production value is French, with most manufacturing based in the Besançon region — a rare level of local craftsmanship at this price point, almost unique in contemporary watchmaking.

Measuring 26 mm in diameter and 5.92 mm thick, the movement features a laser-decorated gear bridge and oscillating weight, both integrating the LIP logo directly into their structure.
This moving decoration, both playful and hypnotic, comes alive with each motion of the wrist, revealing the brand’s signature as if by magic.
Hexagonal screws — a subtle nod to French engineering — further emphasize the national pride behind the project.

Beating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), the R26 offers a 42-hour power reserve and an accuracy range between –5 and +10 seconds per day.
It also features a hacking seconds mechanism and a quick-set date for precise, intuitive adjustments.
Each piece is meticulously assembled and adjusted by LIP’s master watchmakers, ensuring a level of quality worthy of the finest Swiss and French manufactures.