HGP is reintroducing the 664 case shape with the Diver 200M Chrono-Mecaquartz, the brand’s first chronograph since it began more than fifty years ago. The watch features a sapphire crystal, a Seiko VK64 mecaquartz movement, and a 20 ATM water-resistance rating. Pricing starts at $395, which places it firmly in the zone where affordable vintage-style chronographs often stand out. As someone who collects CWC pieces and has a soft spot for Monnin cases in general, I find this one landing in a surprisingly appealing place.
The case profile follows the familiar Monnin-built divers of the 1970s. That geometry shaped a wide range of tool watches after appearing in Heuer’s early dive program, eventually showing up in models from Breitling, Sinn, Aquadive, HGP, and others. The draw has always come from the purposeful shape and the way it behaves in real use, and that history still feels relevant here.
HGP notes that the design found favor among Comex divers in the mid-1970s. The brand positions the new 664 as an evolution of that utility-driven form, with more defined transitions and tighter machining. Anyone who spends time around these cases will recognize the lineage quickly.
The watch also brings back the “Scuba Dude,” a small character once seen on French divers in the 60s and 70s. The artwork and historical logo were pulled from the HGP archive for the caseback.
Buyers can choose a three-link bracelet or a tropic-style rubber strap. The HGP Diver 200M Chrono-Mecaquartz case uses 316L stainless steel with 20mm lugs. Dimensions are 38.5mm across the bezel, 42mm lug to lug, and 12.4mm thick, which places it in a comfortable and familiar size range for this style.
The rated depth is 200 meters, supported by a screw-down crown and caseback. The VK64 provides a fifth-second chronograph sweep and the reliability that makes mecaquartz chronographs easy to reach for when you want the look and function without extra upkeep. For collectors who already enjoy this movement format, this release feels like a welcome extension of that appeal into a classic diver shape.
With its price, its adherence to a recognizable Monnin heritage, and its use of a mecaquartz chronograph, the HGP Diver 200M Chrono-Mecaquartz stands out as one of the more interesting affordable vintage-inspired chronograph revivals announced in 2025.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.