Lip Grande Nautic: owner reviews and feedback

The Lip Grande Nautic, launched in 2018, is the enlarged variation of Lip’s famous Nautic-Ski created in 1967. Its modern origin is directly connected with an operational request from the French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group: members of the unit wanted to retain the qualities of the Nautic-Ski while benefiting from a more legible dial and a case better suited to larger wrists.

Lip therefore increased the historical diameter from approximately 38 mm to 41 mm and named this new execution Grande-Nautic. It retained the essential visual and functional elements of its predecessor: two crowns, an internal rotating bezel, a strongly domed crystal, a highly legible dial and 200 metres of water resistance. Following the first GIGN series, a civilian version joined the range in 2020, followed by several variations including new GIGN editions, Nautic-Océan, a titanium case and a Blue Gun finish. Current models are powered by the automatic Miyota 8215 and are manufactured in France in Besançon.

Design & legibility: the Nautic-Ski identity enlarged to 41 mm

The Grande Nautic retains an architecture that has become immediately identifiable in Lip history. The dial is surrounded by a rotating bezel positioned beneath the crystal and controlled by a second crown located around 2 o’clock. This arrangement protects the bezel against accidental movement and contributes strongly to the compressor-style appearance of the watch. The lower crown controls the movement, date and time setting. Large hands and luminous markers directly recall the historical Nautic-Ski, notably with a highly visible arrow-tipped minute hand on several references. The two crowns combined with the internal rotating bezel form the essential distinguishing feature of the Grande Nautic. The dial may be matte black, sunray blue or receive other finishes depending on edition. On current versions, the 12, 3, 6 and 9 positions are especially easy to identify and luminous material improves reading in darkness. The double-domed sapphire crystal deliberately emphasises the depth and peripheral distortions characteristic of old dive watches.

Case, bezel and comfort: 41 mm with 200 metres of water resistance

The move from 38 to 41 mm is the very reason the Grande Nautic exists. The contemporary case is generally made from 316L stainless steel, with several titanium editions, and measures approximately 15 mm thick depending on version. Its current 20 mm lug width provides a broad choice of straps. The double-domed sapphire crystal and curved dial contribute substantially to this thickness but preserve the desired retro profile. The caseback screws down and generally contains a transparent section allowing the automatic movement to be viewed. The 200 metres of water resistance allow the Grande Nautic to remain a genuine sports watch despite its strongly 1960s-inspired appearance. The time-setting crown screws down and both crowns are deliberately substantial so they can be manipulated easily. Tropic-style rubber straps are especially appropriate for water, while Milanese mesh versions provide a dressier presence. Weight varies considerably: around 90 grams for certain steel versions on rubber, 115 grams for the documented titanium configuration and 133 grams for the Blue Gun on Milanese mesh.

Movement: Miyota 8215 prioritises robustness and straightforward servicing

Current Grande Nautic watches use the Miyota 8215, a Japanese automatic calibre produced by Miyota, a company belonging to the Citizen group. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, or 3 Hz, contains 21 jewels and provides approximately 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Lip states an operating tolerance of -20 to +40 seconds per day, a figure consistent with a robust and accessible approach rather than certified chronometric precision. Current versions also provide manual winding, quick-set date correction and hacking seconds. The Miyota 8215 gives the Grande Nautic a simple and widely distributed mechanical base whose servicing does not depend on a rare calibre. Early Grande-Nautic GIGN models are sometimes documented with the Miyota 821A designation, belonging to the same general philosophy of Japanese automatic movement used by Lip at the time. The mechanical choice has therefore remained remarkably coherent: priority is given to robustness, servicing cost and sufficient autonomy for everyday use. The transparent caseback allows the movement to be observed even though its industrial finishing is not intended to be the principal attraction of the watch.

Chronological milestones and main models (1967–2025)

(1967) Lip Nautic-Ski Electronic First French 200-Metre Diver:

The Grande Nautic traces its direct origin to the Nautic-Ski developed for Lip’s centenary. The Lip Nautic-Ski 42.554 uses a genuine Super Compressor case supplied by E.P.S.A., fitted with two crowns and an internal rotating bezel. Its diameter is significantly smaller than the modern Grande Nautic, around 36 to 38 mm depending on case and measuring method, with a strongly domed crystal and Tropic strap. Water resistance reaches 200 metres, an especially notable achievement for a French watch in 1967. Its mechanics are even more original: the Lip Electronic R184 Dato calibre is an electromechanical movement powered by a battery while retaining traditional horological architecture, with central seconds and a date display. The black dial has large tritium hour markers, especially visible numerals at certain positions and a luminous internal bezel. Presented for Lip’s centenary, it is prominently showcased during the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympic Games.

(2018) Lip Grande Nautic GIGN First 41 mm Case:

The first genuine Grande Nautic is developed at the request of GIGN operators who consider the modern 38 mm Nautic-Ski too small for their requirements. The Lip Grande Nautic GIGN reference not communicated therefore increases the diameter to 41 mm while retaining the two-crown architecture, internal bezel, strongly domed sapphire crystal and 200 metres of water resistance. Its stainless-steel case receives a dark gunmetal-style finish and the anthracite dial prioritises very strong contrast through large white Super-LumiNova hands and markers. The movement is automatic and belongs to the Miyota 821A family used by Lip for this generation. The watch is supplied with both a Tropic dive strap and anthracite Milanese mesh. Production is limited and individually numbered to 452 pieces, corresponding at the time to the personnel strength of the relevant GIGN units. This model establishes both the diameter and the Grande-Nautic name subsequently adopted by the civilian watch.

(2020) Lip Grande Nautic Blue First Civilian 41 mm Version:

Two years after the GIGN series, Lip transfers the 41 mm format to a watch intended for a broader public. The Lip Grande Nautic 671521 uses a polished 316L stainless-steel case, dark-blue sunray dial and blue internal bezel controlled by the crown around 2 o’clock. Diameter is 41 mm with approximately 15 mm thickness and a 20 mm lug width. The strongly domed sapphire crystal receives anti-reflective treatment and the screwed caseback is transparent. Water resistance remains 200 metres. Silver-coloured markers and hands are luminous and the date appears at 3 o’clock. The automatic Miyota 8215 operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, contains 21 jewels and provides 42 hours of power reserve. A perforated black Tropic-style rubber strap reinforces its aquatic purpose. This reference becomes the basic civilian Grande Nautic and remains offered by Lip several years later.

(2021) Lip Grande Nautic GIGN New Operational Series:

Lip renews its connection with the GIGN world in 2021 through a second Grande Nautic with a different personality from the first 2018 series. The Lip Grande Nautic GIGN 671523 has a 41 mm stainless-steel case with a dark MR73 finish, domed sapphire crystal, two oversized crowns and an internal bezel controlled at 2 o’clock. The black and grey dial receives relief work and white Super-LumiNova markers to preserve rapid reading in low-light conditions. Water resistance remains 200 metres and the caseback is transparent. The automatic Miyota 821A operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, contains 21 jewels and provides approximately 40 to 42 hours of autonomy depending on documentation. A black Tropic strap is especially appropriate for sporting use. This new series is produced in 1,973 pieces, a figure referring to the year associated with the creation of the GIGN in the communication used for this edition.

(2023) Lip Grande Nautic-Océan Expedition and Recycled Materials:

The Nautic-Océan develops the environmental and maritime dimension of the family through a partnership with Expédition 7e Continent. The Lip Grande Nautic-Océan 671854 adopts a 41 mm steel case approximately 15 mm thick, two crowns, a double-domed sapphire crystal and 200 metres of water resistance. Its blue dial uses a gradient and sunray finish recalling the ocean, while markers and hands are luminous. An initial version associated with the expedition is produced as a limited edition before the interpretation is expanded into a model intended for the general public. The Tropic strap and certain variations produced within the project use materials associated with the recovery of marine plastics, notably Seaqual fibre in the original partnership approach. The automatic Miyota 8215 retains 21 jewels, a 21,600-vibration-per-hour frequency and 42 hours of power reserve. The transparent back continues to allow the movement to be viewed.

(2024) Lip Grande Nautic-Ski Titanium Lighter Case:

The titanium version addresses one of the principal points of discussion surrounding the Grande Nautic: its relatively substantial physical presence. The Lip Grande Nautic-Ski Titanium 671855 retains a 41 mm diameter and thickness close to 15 mm but replaces conventional steel with a brushed titanium case. The matte black dial, internal bezel, two large crowns and double-domed sapphire crystal remain faithful to the architecture of the family. Water resistance reaches 200 metres and the screwed transparent caseback reveals the Miyota 8215. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, contains 21 jewels and provides 42 hours of autonomy according to the current official specification. The principal strap is black vulcanised Tropic-style rubber and the watch is supplied with an additional strap. Its stated weight is 115 grams in the documented configuration. This version is limited to 599 pieces and primarily reduces the sensation of mass generated by a naturally thick case.

(2025) Lip Grande Nautic-Ski Blue Gun Milanese Mesh:

This recent development gives the Grande Nautic a more homogeneous and urban appearance without modifying its fundamental specifications. The Lip Grande Nautic-Ski 671859 uses a sandblasted 41 mm 316L stainless-steel case with matte Blue Gun treatment, matched to a Milanese mesh bracelet made from the same metal and finished in the same tone. Its matte black dial takes several cues from the 1967 Nautic Automatic, with large numerals at the cardinal positions and an arrow-shaped minute hand. Markers and hands use white Super-LumiNova. The crystal is anti-reflective double-domed sapphire, the caseback is transparent and screwed and water resistance remains 200 metres. The Miyota 8215 provides 42 hours of power reserve and operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour. With its metal bracelet, the watch weighs approximately 133 grams and favours a more sport-chic interpretation of the Grande Nautic than the traditional Tropic configuration.

Choosing the right version: steel, titanium, strap and use in water

The first choice concerns diameter itself. The 41 mm Grande Nautic provides more presence and more immediate reading than the historical 38 mm Nautic-Ski, but thickness close to 15 mm remains substantial. Lug shape and strap can fortunately reduce the impression of bulk. The Grande Nautic is best suited to someone who enjoys vintage dive-watch styling with contemporary wrist presence. For a very small wrist or a desire for historically authentic proportions, the smaller Nautic-Ski remains more appropriate.

The choice between steel and titanium mainly changes the wrist sensation. Steel provides greater density and a more traditional appearance, while titanium is lighter and has a slightly darker tone. The difference becomes especially useful on a comparatively thick 41 mm watch. The titanium version is the most interesting for someone prioritising comfort during long periods of wear. Steel nevertheless remains closer to the historical construction and offers a broader choice of dial and strap variations.

The Tropic rubber strap remains the most coherent with the purpose of the watch. It resists water, dries quickly and directly recalls diving straps from the 1960s and 1970s. Milanese mesh produces a dressier appearance and significantly increases weight. Rubber is the best choice if the 200 metres of water resistance are genuinely intended to be used. The 20 mm lug width of modern Grande Nautic watches fortunately makes changes straightforward and allows several configurations to be kept for different seasons.

The Miyota 8215 has comparatively modest autonomy beside modern movements offering 70 or 80 hours. A watch removed for two days may therefore need its time and date reset. Its simple construction and very broad distribution are advantages for servicing, however. The calibre is better suited to someone prioritising robustness and straightforward maintenance than to someone seeking sophisticated mechanics. Its accuracy also needs to be understood within the context of the official -20 to +40 seconds-per-day tolerance.

Finally, 200 metres of water resistance remains one of the central arguments of the Grande Nautic, but this figure should not be considered permanent without maintenance. Seals, caseback and especially crowns require regular inspection. The crown controlling the internal bezel should not be operated underwater. A recent pressure test is recommended before diving with a pre-owned Grande Nautic. On older models, the condition of the crystal, crowns and internal-bezel mechanism also deserves particular attention. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Conclusion

The Lip Grande Nautic is aimed at enthusiasts who enjoy the highly recognisable design of the Nautic-Ski but want a more contemporary diameter and increased legibility. Born in 2018 from a project developed with the GIGN, it transforms the historical 38 mm case into a 41 mm architecture while retaining two crowns, an internal bezel, domed crystal and 200 metres of water resistance. The blue 671521 represents the most classical civilian version, while the GIGN models add an operational dimension, Nautic-Océan a maritime orientation, Titanium greater lightness and the 671859 Blue Gun a more urban presentation. The Miyota 8215 remains deliberately simple and prioritises reliability and accessible maintenance. Choice therefore mainly depends on wrist size, desired weight and actual use in water.

To compare these characteristics with long-term comfort, accuracy and robustness, Dialicious customer reviews provide a particularly useful complement.

(Updated August 2026)