Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Italy: Cressi

[David Wilson]

Another model to grace the 1966 Cressi mask list before disappearing was the Ciprea:

A conventional enough oval mask fitted with a stainless-steel band, but featuring the same strap anchor points as the Cressi Semi-Pinocchio.

Then there was the "Alice", which briefly joined the Cressi mask range in 1969:

Note the rounded rectangular shape of the lens, presumably designed to offer a wider field of vision, and the screw cover positioned top centre.

We'll proceed to the 1970s range of Cressi diving masks next time. Stay tuned!

 

[David Wilson]

As promised, the redesign of the Cressi diving mask range in the 1970s. We'll begin with the Lince model, which came on to the market in 1969:

As you can see, a binocular mask, launched at a time when single-lens masks were still the norm. Incidentally, the product name "Lince" has nothing to with lenses, which would be "lenti" in Italian. No,"Lince" is the Italian noun for the following creature:

So a lynx, a variety of wild cat, one of nature's predators. 1973 introduced some colour options into the uniform black of the original Lince:

Note how the product description recommends the model for breathhold diving because of its low volume and hence ease of clearing. The external nosepiece recalls the trademark Pinocchio design. Note too the concern about the implications of a change from monocular to binocular masks for underwater vision and the availability of the optically enhanced version below:

And no, I don't have the expert knowledge to explain what the caption actually means in practice for divers requiring corrective lenses.

A "ditto" for 1974:

By 1976, the catalogue writers at Cressi came to the conclusion that the Lince mask could benefit not only snorkellers and freedivers but also scuba divers:

 

[David Wilson]

The Super Lince ("Super Lynx") was a derivative of the Lince, which entered the market in or before 1973:

As an enhanced version of the Lince, the Super Lince came with the same low volume, colour options and breathhold-friendly features while offering a wider angle of vision than its predecessor, particularly downwards.

No change for 1974:

By 1976, Cressi's catalogue writers felt readier to make further claims for their product:

So the Superlince, now reduced to one word, outperformed the Lince in both upward and downward visibility, while its extra soft rubber skirt increased facial comfort and hence the desire to spend more time in the water. The mask had also proved popular for scuba as well as freediving. An optical variant was also forthcoming:

So much for Cressi's twin-lens diving masks of the early to mid 1970s. The remainder of the Cressi range back then stuck to the tried and tested pattern of single-lens masks. We'll consider these next time.

 

[David Wilson]

Today we'll focus on a couple of conventional Cressi masks introduced during the early 1970s. First the Cleo, whose début was 1973:

So a rectangular diving mask designed for breadth of vision, available in several colours, reinforced with a stainless steel band and featuring a partial nosepiece for compensation. There was an optical version enabling corrective lenses to be fitted:

The same offerings for 1974:

And then 1976:

The mask is now recommended for surface observation or shallow-water diving only. Here's the optical version:

The partial nosepiece detail is clearer, as is the corrective lens configuration, creating the impression of a pair of binoculars built into a conventional single-lens diving mask.

 

[David Wilson]

Second Cressi diving mask of the day is the Coris, which resembled the Cleo in appearance but only lasted two years in the catalogues. The product name "Coris" may refer to a genus of wrasses, collectively known as the reinbow wrasses, found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans:

Here is the Cressi Coris mask in 1973:

A simple mask, as the caption says, but a general-purpose model, whose oval lens is reinforced with a plastic band. It comes in light blue in two sizes, medium and large. Here is the same mask twelve months on:

No change there then.

Next time we'll review the remaining models in the new 1970s Cressi range of masks. Their common denominator is a resemblance to the iconic Cressi Pinocchio.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, АлександрД. And my solidarity with everybody at this difficult time, when all of us wherever we may be, are facing disruption to our lives, contemplating social isolation and perhaps grieving for friends and relatives who are suffering serious illness or have passed on. Life is fragile. Let's not take it for granted, whether it's our own life or the life of the people we have around us and we hold dearest. And let's try to be the best we can be, reaching out to others less fortunate than ourselves, offering to help and comfort the vulnerable. Above all, let's eschew the very worst of our human nature, taking the last can, bag of pasta or toilet roll from the supermarket shelf to fill our already overflowing trolleys, glancing smugly at the customer behind us who may be a healthcare worker looking for the wherewithal to make a meagre meal after a 48-hour shift:

 

[David Wilson]

Now back to some old Cressi diving masks. As promised, we'll be focusing on Pinocchio-type models other than the Cressi Pinocchio itself. First the "Pinobaby", launched in 1973 or thereabouts:

So a children's mask, as the product suggests, designed to be a reliable learning aid for compensation novices, to fit smaller faces, to have visual appeal and to be safe to use. There was an optical version:

Here it is in 1974:

So no change there, then.

 

[David Wilson]

Let's proceed quickly to the equally Pinocchio-like named Pinova mask, which was introduced in 1973 and is mentioned in the captions to the Pinobaby catalogue illustrations.

Here the emphasis is on the mask's versatility. A mask to fit all, or at least most, faces and to suit every underwater activity, whether apnea or scuba. Low volume was considered an asset too at this time. Here are the two versions of the Pinova in 1974:

And in 1976:

So a minor amendment for 1976. The "Pinobaby", discontinued in 1974, returned in the shape of the "Pinova Junior", complete with an optical version. The change of name may have been down to Cressi's awareness that a smaller-sized Pinova might ensure a closer fit, and hence a better seal, not only for younger people but also for narrower-faced adults, including women.

 

[David Wilson]

Here's a real-life Cressi Pinova from an auction site, its name proudly embossed on the skirt at the top for others to see when it was worn:

Our next model is the Quarzo, introduced by Cressi in 1976:

The product description suggests a design enabling breadth of vision, snugness of fit and tolerance of facial difference to be maximised.

 

[David Wilson]

Last mask of the day, and final mid-20c Cressi mask for review, is the Sabina, which was launched in 1973. "Sabina" is the name of a region in central Italy.

So a model designed for women and children in particular.

No changes for either 1974:

Or for 1976:

Note how the translators have wisely changed their later English rendering of the Italian past participle "sovrastampato" from the literal "overstamped" to the more context-appropriate "reinforced".

So that's it for today and for the historical range of Cressi diving masks. Next time we'll move on to Cressi's period snorkels. Meanwhile, stay safe!