Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Spain: Other manufacturers

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, Luis and Jale. On to the Nauti sub Flipper snorkel and Sprint fins. The Flipper breathing tube below:

So a valved snorkel. The L shape at the lower end was designed to be an improvement on the J-shaped model, where water tended to accumulate in the U-bend at the bottom abd was harder to shift. Note the unusual double-flanged mouthpiece and the eyelet close to the joint between the extended stem and the barrel to take a neck lanyard or to hang the snorkel during storage. A ball in the cage valve at the top to shut off the air supply when submerged.

 

[David Wilson]

And now for Nauti-sub Sprint fins:

So full-foot open-toe fins with two thin centre ribs down the long narrow blade.

So much for Nauti sub underwater equipment. Midweek, we shall take a brief look at Kali sub gear. Until then, keep safe, well and warm.

​

 

[David Wilson]

On to Kali sub and here I only have information about two fin models from that brand. First up is the Kali sub Omega:

So the Omega is a long-bladed full-foot fin with open toes. Two extensive centre ribs both top and bottom for reinforcement. This fin is the product of an age when freediving was growing in popularity and powerful propelling devices were required to reach greater depths. The product name "Omega", which is the final letter of the Greek alpabet, may indicate the manufacturer's intention to plumb new underwater depths.

 

[David Wilson]

Kali sub's Omega fins do not appear to be embossed with a country of origin, but I have every reason to believe that the company was vased in Spain. The second Kali sub fin of the day, gowever, was made in Italy. It was named "Madeira", after Madeira (above), one of two autonomous regions of Portugal, the other being the Azores. It is an archipelago situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, in a region known as Macaronesia, just under 400 kilometres (250 mi) to the north of the Canary Islands and 520 kilometres (320 mi) west of the Kingdom of Morocco. The Madeira fin:

So a fin with a superficial resemblance to the Omega, being a full-foot, open toed model witn a long convex-tipped blade reinforced with twin centre ribs top and bottom. The information embossed on the sole in the third image suggest a difference, though. The instruction to avoid exposure of the fins to higher temperatures suggests that they are constructed from a material other than natural rubber, probably some kind of synthetic thermoplastic of the type used to make modern fins sold nowadays in the West. Perhaps this was why the fins were made in Italy, where Mares had started the changeover to composite fin technology. "DIN 7876" refers to a German Standard on fin sizing, more details at DIN 7876.

At the weekend we shall move on to another Spanish basic gear manufacturer, probably Industrias Clasal. Until then, keep safe, warm and well.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the like, Litos.

There is not very much I can say about Industrias Clasal itself, whose basic diving gear we shall be reviewing over the next few weeks. The company's address was Padre Vives, 59, Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca (above) is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain.

My main Clasal source is a 1963 catalogue, which contains a few publicity images other than product descriptions:

 

[David Wilson]

Let us start our review today with a couple of Clasal diving masks. Both models share the name "Al Lot", which may derive from the Spanish word "lota" meaning "burbot" (above), a cod-like freshwater fish.

The Al Lot adult diving mask (Stock number 1,000)

Spanish: "LENTE AL·LOT ref. 1.000. Lente para deporte submarino. Fabricado con goma extra CLASAL y equipado con aro metálico de seguridad. Se distingue de los demás por su pantalla panorámica que permite una gran visión lateral y vertical, siendo el modelo adecuado para el turismo submarino. Su adaptación es perfecta a cualquier cara. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y verde. Precio 45 ptas. Recambios para Lente Al·lot Ref. 1.000. 1010 Hebillas Especiales 1,50. 1201 Correa 6,—. 1117 Cristal 5, —. 1116 Aro Metálico Inoxidable 9,-".

Rough translation: "AL·LOT MASK ref. 1,000. Underwater sports mask. Made with superior CLASAL rubber and fitted with a metal security rim. It stands out from the others due to its panoramic eyescreen that allows great lateral and vertical vision, being the appropriate model for underwater tourism. It is a perfect fit on any face. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red and green. Price 45 pesetas. Spare parts for Al·lot mask Ref. 1.000. 1010 Special Buckles 1.50. 1201 Strap 6,—. 1117 Lens 5, —. 1116 Stainless Steel Rim 9,-

So a rounded rectangular diving mask of the type deemed in the early 1960s to provide maximum vision. It came with a stainless-steel rim with top screw to secure the lens, but without compensator bosses inside. Note the availability of spare parts, which was more typical of the 1950s, when underwater swimmers were likelier to replace mask parts rather than purchase a whole new one.

 

[David Wilson]

Second Clasal mask of the day is the child's version of the Al Lot model:

Spanish: "LENTE AL·LOT ref. 1.000. Lente para cadete y niño. Fabricado con goma extra CLASAL y equipado con aro metálico de seguridad. Se distingue de los demás por su pantalla panorámica que permite una gran visión lateral y vertical, siendo el modelo ideal para los jóvenes. Su adaptación es perfecta a cualquier cara. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y verde. Precio 45 ptas. Recambios para Lente Al·lot Ref. 1.000. 1010 Hebillas Especiales 1,50. 1201 Correa 6, —. 1117 Cristal 5, —. 1116 Aro Metálico 9,—".

Rough translation: "AL·LOT MASK ref. 1,000. Young people and children's mask. Made with superior CLASAL rubber and fitted with a metal security rim. It stands out from the rest due to its panoramic eyescreen that allows great lateral and vertical vision, making it the ideal model for young people. It fits any face perfectly. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red and green. Price 45 pesetas. Spare parts for Al·lot Mask Ref. 1.000. 1010 Special Buckles 1.50. 1201 Strap 6, —. 1117 Crystal 5, —. 1116 Metallic Ring 9,—".

So a smaller version of the adult mask, otherwise the same specifications. This model too came with replacement parts.

Some time midweek we shall proceed to the Clasal 1001 Star diving mask, which also came in two sizes. Until then, keep safe, well and warm.

 

[Popgun Pete]

Hard to believe that these would fit and cover your nose, the illustrations may take some liberty with the mask's actual proportions.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, Luis, and for the post, Pete.

Now for the Clasal 1001 Star diving mask:

Spanish: "LENTE STAR ref 1001. Lente ovalada de exploración para cabalero. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL. Su forma permite usarla largo tiempo sin molestar a la cara del nadador. Se fabrica en los dos colores del grabado. Precio 36 ptas. Recambios para Lente Star Ref, 1001. 1002 Correa 8.—. 1003 Cristal 6.—. 1004 Hebillas especiales 2,-".
Rough translation: "STAR Mask ref 1001. Oval exploration mask for men. Made with superior CLASAL rubber. Its shape enables it to be used for a long time without irritating the swimmer's face. It is manufactured in the two colours of the drawing. Price 36 pesetas. Spare parts for Star Mask Ref 1001. 1002 Strap 8.— 1003 Lens 6.— 1004 Special buckles 2,-

This mask appears to differ from the Al Lot only in shape, the former being oval, the latter being rounded rectangular. How the oval shape is less of a facial irritant is left unexplained, but this feature may have proved attractive to underwater hunters who spent long periods face down on the surface stalking their prey. Material used and spare parts available are similar. Note the absence of a stainless-steel metal rim, hence the lower price.

 

[David Wilson]

Second mask of the day is the young male's version of the Clasal Star:

Spanish: "LENTE STAR ref 1.001. Lente ovalada de exploración para niño y cadete. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL. Su forma permite usarla largo tiempo sin molestar a la cara del nadador Se fabrica en los dos colores del grabado. Precio 36 ptas. Recambios para Lente Star Ref, 1.001. 1002 Correa 8,—. 1003 Cristal 6, —. 1004 Hebillas Especiales 2,—".
Rough translation: "STAR Mask ref 1,001. Oval exploration mask for children and young people. Made with superior CLASAL rubber. Its shape enables it to be used for a long time without irritating the swimmer's face. It is manufactured in the two colours of the drawing. Price 36 pesetas. Spare parts for Star Ref Lens, 1.001. 1002 Strap 8,—. 1003 Crystal 6, —. 1004 Special Buckles 2,—".

So a junior version of the adult Clasal Star diving mask with the same characteristics, including shape, comfort, colour options, material and spare parts availability.

Clasal Vigia and Albor diving masks at the weekend. Keep safe, well and warm.