Review: Sicura Submarine 400

The Brand

Sicura, a Swiss watch brand, was founded in 1939 as “Joh. Gobber, Horlogerie.” It adopted the name "Sicura" meaning secure in Italian, in 1951 and was officially incorporated as “Montres Sicura SA” in 1955. The brand was initially owned by Theodore Sfaellos and later passed on to his son-in-law, Ernest Frederic Schneider, in the early 1960s.

Under Schneider’s leadership, Sicura focused on producing trendy yet affordable watches. During the quartz crisis of the 1970s, Sicura adapted by manufacturing watches with quartz movements and LCD displays.

A turning point for the brand came in 1979 when Schneider acquired the rights to the “Breitling” and “Navitimer” brand names. He successfully relaunched Breitling and eventually phased out the Sicura brand, renaming the company Breitling AG in 1993.

The Model

The Sicura Submarine 400 is a dive watch from the 1960s. It features a 38.5mm chrome-plated case, pointed crown guards and lugs and a bidirectional rotating bezel, giving it a robust and rugged appearance. The dial is notable for the lines coming from the markers.

Despite being a dive watch, the Sicura Submarine 400 was not just built for functionality but also for style. It doesn't imitate other popular dive watches but instead boasts its own unique look, making it a sought-after piece for collectors and vintage enthusiasts.

The phrase "400 vacuum tested" inscribed on the case back indicates that the watch was tested for water resistance up to 400 feet, approximately 122 meters, making it suitable for diving and underwater activities.

The Movement

At the core of the Sicura Submarine 400 lies the EB 8021N movement, also known as Sic 48, produced by Ebauches Bettlach. It has 23 jewels, operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour. The high number of jewels might initially seem like a distinguishing feature, but it's important to consider that this is a pin lever movement, which is typically more economical and contains fewer jewels. The addition of deck or dummy jewels is indicative of a marketing strategy aimed at giving the impression of higher quality by inflating the jewel count.

One cost-saving feature of the EB 8021N movement is the pillar construction, which is less expensive than solid movements. The absence of shock protection and the use of deck jewels contribute to making it economical without compromising its functionality.

The EB 8021N movement in the Sicura Submarine 400 reflects the brand's approach of blending affordability with quality, ensuring precise timekeeping and reliability.

Specifications

• Material: chrome-plated metal (probably steel)

• Dimensions: 38.5mm x 46mm x 11mm

• Lug width: 20mm

• Crown: Push/pull crown

• Bezel: Bidirectional rotating

• Crystal: Glass

• Movement: Manual winding EB 8021N (Sic 48) with 23 jewels.

• Functions: Hours, minutes, center seconds, and date indication

• Water Resistance: Vacuum tested for water resistance up to 400 feet (approximately 122 meters)