Argonaut Kraken Wrist Depth Gauge

Argonaut Kraken NOS Wrist Depth Gauge

Introduction: The “Kraken” wrist depth gauge is a mechanical SCUBA depth meter with a maximum-depth indicator, prized by vintage diving enthusiasts. They offer a classic analogue instrument aesthetic and functionality that complements vintage gear, while providing reliable depth tracking for divers who prefer or collect traditional equipment. Below, we detail the specifications, manufacturing background, community relevance, reasons for discontinuation, collectability, and current market listings for this unique depth gauge.

Specifications and Features

metric versions (e.g. 0–200 feet / 0–60 meters full scale), with wide spacing in the shallow portion of the scale for easier reading. Some variants were made up to 220–250 ft range for deeper diving.
Maximum Depth Indicator: A red max-depth needle moves with the main pointer and remains at the deepest point reached during the dive, aiding post-dive logging. This marker is user-resettable (often via rotating the bezel or a knob).
Luminescent Dial: The gauge face is luminescent for low-light visibility, with high-contrast markings. Many dials have a black or white background with clear fluorescent numbers and a red zone marking beyond safe depth.
Construction: Housed in a durable plastic/ABS case ~63 mm in diameter (about 2.5″), it uses a Beryllium copper diaphragm mechanism to sense depth. This rugged design (as opposed to a capillary tube or oil-filled bourdon tube) provides reliable readings and longevity. The back side includes an altitude adjustment screw to calibrate zero at altitude, ensuring accuracy when diving in mountain lakes or adjusted pressure environments.
Mounting: It comes with a rubber wrist strap/boot, allowing it to be worn on the forearm like a large watch. The strap is wide and secure, appropriate for use with gloves or thick wetsuits. Divers often retrofit these with bungee cords or custom straps for ease of donning, but the included strap maintains a vintage look.

Manufacturing Background

This depth gauge has its roots in the rich tradition of Italian dive instrumentation. It was manufactured in Italy, likely by an OEM company specializing in submersible gauges (one known producer is Termo Industria, which offers an almost identical 63 mm wrist depth gauge). Italian-made gauges of this type have been popular worldwide since at least the 1960s. In fact, many major brands sourced their analogue gauges from Italian makers – for example, Scubapro’s finest 1970s depth gauge (a 500 ft helium-filled model) was made by the Italian company SOS. The face of a 1970s Scubapro gauge even bears the marking “SOS Patent – Made in Italy,” evidencing the Italian origin.

By the late 2010s, Vintage Double Hose (a company dedicated to vintage scuba gear) acquired a batch of these Italian-made gauges . They branded them the “Argonaut Kraken” depth gauge in reference to their flagship double-hose regulator, the Argonaut Kraken.. VDH offered them to vintage diving aficionados as a way to equip a double-hose rig with a period-appropriate depth gauge that was essentially brand new.

Relevance and Uniqueness in the Diving Community

Within the vintage and double-hose diving community, the Kraken wrist depth gauge holds a special niche. Its analog display and classic wrist-mount format make it ideal for divers using twin-hose regulators who want to maintain an authentic mid-20th-century look and feel to their gear. Modern double-hose divers often avoid bulky console gauges or dive computers, both for historical accuracy and streamlined configuration. A simple wrist depth gauge like this allows them to monitor depth (and max depth for no-decompression calculations) without breaking the vintage aesthetic.

Divers on forums have praised the Argonaut/Kraken depth gauge for its simplicity and utility. For example, one user recommended it as a preferred analog gauge: “I like the Argonaut Depth Gauge from Vintage Double Hose. It’s a simple depth gauge…”. The gauge’s max-depth indicator is a relatively unique feature among vintage-style gauges – many older wrist gauges (like early capillary tubes or basic Bourdon gauges) lacked this, so having a built-in max-depth memory is a welcomed advantage for logging dives. The Italian design also proved robust and fairly accurate; as one diver noted about similar 1980s Italian gauges, “that’s actually an Italian made gauge that was popular in the eighties” – a testament to their reliability and widespread adoption.

Another aspect of its relevance is the tie-in with the Argonaut Kraken double-hose regulator, which was the first new production double-hose reg of the 21st century. Many buyers of the Argonaut Kraken regulator sought matching analog instruments. Having a purpose-sourced depth gauge gave the community a way to complete a “modern vintage” kit (modern in manufacturing, vintage in style). The gauge’s branding as “Kraken” by VDH symbolically linked it to the revival of double-hose diving. In practice, this gauge can be used with any scuba setup, but it became uniquely associated with vintage double-hose rigs and the enthusiasts who dive them.

Discontinuation and Collectibility

Why it’s no longer made: The Kraken/Argonaut depth gauge is essentially a discontinued product. As dive computers rose to prominence in the 1990s and 2000s, the demand for standalone analog depth gauges plummeted. Vintage Double Hose’s limited stock of NOS gauges eventually sold out – by late 2018, customers noted the Argonaut depth gauge was no longer listed on VDH’s site, with the owner confirming that it appeared to be out of stock.

What makes it collectible: Several factors drive this gauge’s collectibility. First, its NOS status (new, unused condition despite being vintage manufacture) makes it highly appealing to collectors – it’s like a time capsule from the past. Such items in original packaging are hard to come by; once the small cache discovered by VDH and others is exhausted, no more will be available. Additionally, any association with the “Kraken” name and the Argonaut regulator adds to its aura, since the regulator itself has a near-legendary status among vintage dive gear aficionados..

Current Availability and Listings

As of now, the Kraken wrist depth gauge is only available through secondary markets and occasional finds – there is no active manufacturer or official retailer selling new units. Here is a summary of current availability, pricing, and known sellers across various platforms:

eBay: A few units turn up on eBay from time to time. At the moment, at least one Kraken Italian-made wrist depth gauge is listed at approximately $160 USD. That particular listing notes the item is unused and even includes the original cardboard display card. The NOS Kraken gauges typically fall in the ~$200–$275 range when they appear, making the ~$160 current listing a representative price. Seller information on these eBay items usually indicates private individuals or small vintage gear resellers (not big dive shops). Buyers should check descriptions for “NOS” or “unused” to ensure they’re getting the collectible item rather than a heavily used old gauge.
Specialty Forums: The Vintage Double Hose community forum and other vintage scuba forums occasionally see members trading or selling this depth gauge. After VDH’s own stock ran out, some users who bought extras have resold them or swapped within the community.
Vintage Gear Retailers: Traditional vintage scuba gear shops have very limited inventories of instruments like these. Vintage Scuba Supply (a well-known vintage gear dealer) has noted Italian depth gauges in their collection and past sales, but they do not list any NOS Kraken gauges for sale currently (their focus is often on regulators and museum displays). The Scuba Museum and similar niche retailers also do not list this item at the moment.

Summary of availability: In 2025, the Kraken depth gauge is scarce but not impossible to find. No brand-new units are being manufactured, so all sources are finite. At the time of writing, one can be obtained on eBay for around $260 and occasionally through collector forums or groups in roughly the $250–$300 range depending on who’s selling. If you’re seeking one, checking eBay globally (listings sometimes appear in different countries’ eBay sites), posting a “wanted” ad on the Vintage Double Hose forum, or monitoring relevant Facebook groups would be prudent. The seller information for current listings tends to indicate independent sellers (often divers clearing out collections or small-time vintage equipment dealers). Given its collectibility, when one does pop up for sale, it’s wise to act relatively quickly. Many in the vintage community recognize the uniqueness of this depth gauge, and listings – especially those reasonably priced – may not last long before being snapped up.