Longines · ref 7042 · 1959–1960s
Longines introduced this diver in 1959 as the ref. 7042, and it's the watch the modern Legend Diver, launched in 2007, was based on. It sits in a 42mm EPSA Super Compressor case, the Ervin Piquerez design sold to many brands, which uses water pressure to press the seal tighter. You get two crowns, one to wind the watch and one to turn the inner rotating bezel, and both carry EPSA's crosshatch pattern. The caseback has an embossed diver emblem. The related refs. 7150 and 7494 kept the same layout into the mid 1960s, and dealers list them with glossy gilt dials, some faded to a tropical brown. Collectors often call all of them Legend Divers now, after the reissue. Because the case was shared across the industry, a Super Compressor case alone doesn't prove you're looking at a Longines. Check the dial, movement and caseback together, and treat the water resistance as gone until the seals are replaced.
The caliber
The case did the clever part. It's an EPSA Super Compressor, built by Ervin Piquerez so the seal gets tighter as the water pressure rises, and the same case design went to many brands. Longines put its own automatic inside, and dealer examples of the related ref. 7150 from the 1960s run the cal. 290.
Old seals and crowns are the weak spot, and a compressor case depends on them. Dials and crowns get swapped between Super Compressor watches from different brands, and the inner bezel can stiffen or slip.
Buying guide
Only four Super Compressors are for sale, so the $10,250–10,675 band is four asks, not much of a market read. They sit close together at $9,559 to $10,995 delivered, with two titled 7042 shipping from Japan and two in the US, an unnamed 1960 double-crown and a 7150 with a tropical dial. On any of them, ask for a movement photo signed Longines, inside caseback photos and a video of the inner bezel turning, since EPSA cases and dials were shared across brands, and treat it as splash-proof until a watchmaker has resealed it. Check the seller's feedback and return policy on the item page, since eBay's watch search doesn't show them.
$9,558.65est. delivered
The lowest ask here at $9,559 delivered from the US, and the only one under $10,000. The title gives no reference, so ask for a photo inside the caseback to see whether it's a 7042 or a 7150, plus a movement photo.
RARE Vintage Longines Super Compressor Diver Automatic Double Crown from 1960
$10,995.00delivered
The only 7150 here, titled with a black tropical dial, at $10,995 with free shipping from the US. A tropical dial is a plus when the fading is even, so check in the photos that the dial and the lume on the hands have aged to the same tone.
Longines Super Compressor, Ref 7150-1 Men’s Stainless Steel, Black Tropical Dial
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 6, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 6, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$9,558.65est. delivered
$9,550.00 + $8.65 shipping
Buy It Now$9,550.00
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Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
Titled 1960, double crown. No reference given.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$10,995.00delivered
$10,995.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$10,995.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Ref. 7150-1 with a black tropical dial. Free shipping.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$10,493.21est. delivered
$10,458.21 + $35.00 shipping
Buy It Now$10,458.21
Our take
Titled 7042. Ships from Japan.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$10,535.43est. delivered
$10,500.43 + $35.00 shipping
Buy It Now$10,500.43
Our take
Titled 7042, 1960, 42mm steel. Ships from Japan.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 6, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA fresh strap, a set of spring bars and a spring-bar tool are the cheap part of making an old Longines Super Compressor 7042 wearable again. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
Search straps & tools ↗Amazon search
Omega · Seamaster 300
Diveref 165.024
$7,525–$12,675 typical ask
IWC Schaffhausen · Aquatimer
Diveref 812 / 812 AD / 1812
$10,200–$14,675 typical ask
Zenith · Defy
Diveref A3642
$1,675–$3,700 typical ask
Longines · Ultra-Chron
Dressref Ultra-Chron
$675–$1,625 typical ask