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

[David Wilson]

On to the Clasal Vigia and Albor diving masks. The word "vigia" means "look-out" or "watchtower" in Spanish. As for the Clasal Vigia diving mask:

Spanish: "LENTE VIGIA Ref 1100. Lente para profundidades. Fabricado con goma extra CLASAL equipada con aro metálico de seguridad. La forma ha sido estudiada para que se adapte bien a la cara del nadador y no le fatigue la presión. Se fábrica en los colores azul, rojo y negro. Precio 49 ptas. Recambios para Lente Vigia Ref. 1100. 1002 Correa 8,—. 1004 Hebillas Especiales 2.—. 1007 Cristal 6.—. 1008 Aro Metálico inoxidable 10,—".
Rough translation: "VIGIA MASK Ref 1100. Mask for deeper diving. Made with superior CLASAL rubber fitted with a metal security rim. The shape has been designed so that it adapts well to the swimmer's face and does not exhaust him under pressure. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red and black. Price 49 pesetas. Spare parts for Vigia Mask Ref. 1100. 1002 Strap 8,—. 1004 Special Buckles 2.—. 1007 Lens 6.—. 1008 Stainless Steel Rim 10,—".

So a round model with a focus on deeper swimming and fatigue reduction. Colours and materials same as previous Clasal masks and a full range of spare parts.

 

[David Wilson]

Our second Clasal diving mask of the day is the Albor. "Albor" is Spanish for "dawn", the word deriving from the whiteness (also "albor") of the light at that time of morning. Here is the Clasal Albor diving mask:

Spanish: "LENTE ALBOR ref 1200. Lente de exploración circular. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL. Su suavidad y forma es recomendable para edad entre 5 y 15 años porque no daña la cara de los futuros nadadores. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y verde. Precio 25 Ptas. Recambios para Lente Albor Ref. 1200. 1010 Hebillas Especiales 1,50. 1201 Correa 6,—. 1202 Cristal 5, —".
Rough translation: "ALBOR MASK ref 1200. Circular exploration mask. Made with superior CLASAL rubber. Its softness and shape is recommended for ages between 5 and 15 years because it does not damage the face of future swimmers. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red and green. Price 25 Pesetas. Spare parts for Albor Mask Ref. 1200. 1010 Special Buckles 1.50. 1201 Strap 6,—. 1202 Lens 5, —".

So a model designed for young people with a soft skirt designed not to mark the faces of the future generation of swimmers, hence the "Dawn" meaning of the product name.

Spanish: "LENTE ALBOR (para niño y cadetes) Ref. 1.200. Lente de exploración circular especial para niños y cadetes. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL. Su suavidad y forma es recomendable para edad entre 5 y 15 años porque no daña la cara de los futuros nadadores. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y verde. Precio 25 ptas. Recambios para Lente Albor Ref. 1.200. 1010 Hebillas Especiales 1,50. 1201 Correa 6,—. 1202 Cristal 3,—".
Rough translation: "ALBOR MASK (for children and young people) Ref. 1.200. Special circular exploration mask for children and young people. Made with superior CLASAL rubber. Its softness and shape is recommended for ages between 5 and 15 years because it does not damage the face of future swimmers. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red and green. Price 25 pesetas. Spare parts for Albor Lens Ref. 1.200. 1010 Special Buckles 1.50. 1201 Strap 6,—. 1202 Lens 3,—".

Essentially the same message from the children's section of the catalogue. Its presence in the adult section too may indicate the mask's suitability for certain grown-ups.

Some time midweek. we shall proceed to the Clasal Benjamin and H. H. diving masks. Keep warm, safe and well.

 

[David Wilson]

Today we have a look at Clasal Benjamin and H. H. diving masks. Benjamin is a name of Biblical origin in both Spanish and English. The Benjamim mask:

Spanish: "LENTE BENJAMIN Ref. 1300. Fabricada con goma extra CLASAL, de máxima suavidad y adaptable a la cara de todos los pequeños. Se fábrica en los dos colores del grabado. Precio 22 ptas. Recambios para Lente Benjamín Ref. 1.300. 1010 Hebillas Especiales 1,50. 1201 Correa 6.—. 1301 Cristal 5,—".
Rough translation: "BENJAMIN MASK Ref. 1300. Made with superior CLASAL rubber, extremely soft and fitting all children's faces. It is manufactured in the two colours of the drawing. Price 22 pesetas. Spare parts for Benjamin Mask Ref. 1.300. 1010 Special Buckles 1.50. 1201 Strap 6.—. 1301 Lens 5,—".

So another oval junior mask with an emphasis on the softness of the material and the facial fit. Note the absence of a metal rim to render the model more affordable.

Spanish: "LENTE BENJAMIN (para niños) Ref. 1.300. Lente de exploración especial para niños de 7 a 12 años. Fabricado con goma extra CLASAL, de máxima suavidad y adaptable a la cara de todos los pequeños. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y verde. Precio 22 ptas. Recambios para Lente Benjamín Ref. 1.300. 1010 Hebillas Especiales 1.50. 1201 Correa 6,—. 1301 Cristal 5,—".
Rough translation: "BENJAMIN MASK (for children) Ref. 1.300. Special exploration mask for children from 7 to 12 years old. Made with superior CLASAL rubber, extremely soft and fitting all children's faces. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red and green. Price 22 pesetas. Spare parts for Benjamin Mask Ref. 1.300. 1010 Special Buckles 1.50. 1201 Strap 6,—. 1301 Lens 5,—".

Similar information from the children's section of the Clasal catalogue. Note that the model is also available in green.

 

[David Wilson]

Our other Clasal diving mask today is the intriguingly named "H. H.". No idea, I am afraid, about what "H. H." stands for. Any suggestions? The mask itself:

Spanish: "LENTE H. H. ref. 1.400. Lente para profundidades. Fabricado con goma extra CLASAL equipado con aro metálico de seguridad. La forma ha sido estudiada para que se adapte bien a la cara del nadador y no le fatigue la presión. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y negro. Precio 49 ptas. Recambios para Lente H. H. Ref. 1.400. 1002 Correa 8,—. 1004 Hebillas Especiales 2.—. 1007 Cristal 6,—. 1009 Aro Metálico inoxidable 10,—".
Rough translation: "H. H. MASK ref. 1,400. Deep diving mask. Made with superior CLASAL rubber fitted with a metal security rim. The shape has been designed to be a good fit for the swimmer's face and to prevent fatigue under pressure. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red and black. Price 49 pesetas. Spare parts for H. H. Mask Ref. 1.400. 1002 Strap 8,—. 1004 Special buckles 2.—. 1007 Lens 6,—. 1009. Stainless Steel Ring 10,—".

This model seems to be something along the lines of the adult counterpart of the Clasal Benjamin mask. It features a metal retaining band with top screw to suggest its more "professional-looking" status.

At the weekend we shall review Clasal's Carabela, Delfin and Majorca diving masks. Keep warm, safe and well: Spring at least here seems to be in the air.

 

[WeRtheOcean]

I find it interesting that these Spanish manufacturers consistently use the word "cadetes" for young people. In English, of course, that word has a much more specific meaning, as in the cadets at the Air Force Academy.

 

[Popgun Pete]

Wonder why some of these models have a vee shaped wiggle in the middle of the wire buckle. They don’t all have it and the buckles are straight on some, which is what such sliding lock bar buckles look like on most other masks. The rubber strap often has moulded transverse ribs that are snagged by the sliding bar in order to keep the adjustment once done by remembering how many ribs in from the end that the mask strap is locked off at.

 

[Luis H]

Wonder why some of these models have a vee shaped wiggle in the middle of the wire buckle. They don’t all have it and the buckles are straight on some, which is what such sliding lock bar buckles look like on most other masks. The rubber strap often has moulded transverse ribs that are snagged by the sliding bar in order to keep the adjustment once done by remembering how many ribs in from the end that the mask strap is locked off at.

That helps get your finger under the buckle (while you are wearing the mask) to help loosen the straps if they are too tight, for adjustment. I have seen it in other vintage wire buckle masks. I just can't remember which.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the posts, Luis, Pete and WeRtheOcean. Now for Clasal's Carabela, Delfin and Majorca diving masks.

"Carabela" is Spanish for "Caravel". A caravel (above) is a small manoeuvrable sailing ship used in the 15th century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. The lateen sails gave it speed and the capacity for sailing windward. Caravels were used by the Portuguese and Castilians for ocean exploration voyages in the 15th and 16th centuries, during the Age of Discovery. As for the mask of that name:

Spanish: "LENTE CARABELA ref 1700. Lente para gran turismo 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, verde y negro. Precio 60 ptas. Recambios para Lente Carabela Ref. 1.700. 1002 Correa 8,—. 1004 Hebillas Especiales 2.—. 1701 Cristal 7,—. 1113 Aro Metálico inoxidable 10,—".
Rough translation: "CARABELA MASK ref 1700. Mask for grand underwater tourism. Made with superior CLASAL rubber and equipped with a metal ssecurity rim. It is distinguished from the others by its panoramic screen enabling great lateral and vertical vision, being the appropriate model for underwater tourism. Its fit is perfect for any face. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red, green and black. Price 60 pesetas. Spare parts for Carabela Mask Ref. 1.700. 1002 Strap 8,—. 1004 Special Buckles 2.— 1701 Lens 7,—. 1113 Stainless Steel Rim 10,—".

So a rounded rectangular window at the front, which was deemed at the time to provide the widest underwater vision.

Some Clasal Carabela imagery:

 

[David Wilson]

Second Clasal diving mask of the day is the Delfin. "Delfin", as you have already probably guessed, is Spanish for "dolphin" (above). The Delfin mask:

Spanish: "LENTE DELFIN ref. 1.500. Lente para profundidades. Fabricado con goma extra CLASAL equipado con ato metálico de seguridad. La forma ha sido debidamente estudiada para que se adapte bien a la cara del nadador y no le fatigue la presión. Con un gran ángulo de visión lateral y vertical.Es una realidad definitiva de CLASAL. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo, verde y negro. Precio 70 ptas. Recambios para Lente Delfín Ref, 1.800. 1002 Correa 8.—. 1004 Hebillas Especiales 2,—. 1801 Cristal 7.—. 1114 Aro Metálico inoxidable 10,—".
Rough translation: "DOLPHIN MASK ref. 1,500. Deep diving mask. Manufactured with superior CLASAL rubber fitted with a metal security rim. The shape has been duly designed so that it fits the swimmer's face well and does not tire him out under pressure. A great angle of lateral and vertical vision. It is a definitive product from CLASAL. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red, green and black. Price 70 pesetas. Spare parts for Dolphin Ref Mask, 1.800. 1002 Strap 8.— 1004 Special Buckles 2,—. 1801 Lens 7.—. 1114 Stainless Steel Rim 10,—.

So another rounded rectangular window model to maximise underwater vision, dearer than the previous one and claiming to be a good choice for deeper diving.

 

[David Wilson]

Final mask of the day is the Majorca, named after the largest island (above) Majorca or Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain, and the seventh largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The Clasal Majorca mask:

Spanish: "LENTE MAJORCA ref. 1.900. Lente para profundidades. Fabricado con goma extra CLASAL equipado con aro metálico de seguridad. La forma ha sido debidamente estudiada para que se adapte bien a la cara del nadador y no le fatigue la presión y además su estructura permite facilmente la compensación de presiones sobre el oido. Con un gran ángulo de visión lateral y vertical. Es un gran paso más conseguido por la marca que orgullosa goza de un gran prestigio: CLASAL. Se fabrica en los colores azul, rojo y verde. Precio 75 ptas. Recambios para Lente Majorca Ref. 1.900. 3002 Correa 8,—. 1004 Hebillas Especiales 2,—. 1901 Cristal 1,—. 1115 Aro Metálico inoxidable 10,—".
Rough translation: "MAJORCA MASK ref. 1,900. Deep diving mask. Made with superior CLASAL rubber fitted with a metal security rim. The shape has been duly designied so that it fits the swimmer's face well and does not cause fatigue through pressure and also its structure allows easy compensation of pressure on the ears. A great angle of lateral and vertical vision. It is another great step achieved by the brand that proudly enjoys great prestige: CLASAL. It is manufactured in the colours blue, red and green. Price 75 pesetas. Spare parts for Majorca Mask Ref. 1.900. 3002 Strap 8,—. 1004 Special Buckles 2,—. 1901 Crystal 1,—. 1115 Stainless Steel Rim 10,—".

A similar shape, therefore, buy with the additional feature of accordion-style compensator bosses.

This concludes the Clasal range of diving masks. Midweek we shall review Clasal Saltarin breathing tubes. Keep warm, safe and well.