La Spirotechnique CG45/Mistral narguile #200000
La Spirotechnique “Mistral” (Scaphandre) Twin-Hose Regulator – Made in France
What it is
The Mistral is La Spirotechnique’s iconic single-stage, twin-hose demand regulator that followed the CG45 and helped popularise modern scuba across Europe in the mid-1950s. It was launched by La Spirotechnique (Air Liquide’s diving division) and became one of the most influential regulators of its era.
Year(s) made
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Introduced: 1955 in France (La Spirotechnique).
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Notes: U.S. Divers marketed Mistral variants shortly after; later Royal Mistral revisions arrived in the early 1960s.
Company background – La Spirotechnique (Aqualung Group)
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Founded: 1946 by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan under Air Liquide to mass-produce the CG45 “Aqua-Lung.”
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The brand later traded globally as Aqua Lung; corporate ownership changed after 2016, but the historical French lineage remains central to the Mistral story.
Why it mattered: From 1946–1955 La Spirotechnique sold only the CG45; the Mistral’s 1955 launch delivered easier breathing and lower cost, accelerating sport diving.
Address on badges – 27 Rue Trébois, Levallois
Many original Mistral (and Narghilé/Hookah) labels show “27 Rue Trébois – Levallois.” Collectors use Spirotechnique address lines to date production periods:
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Early: 6 Rue Cognacq-Jay, Paris VII
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Mid: 27 Rue Trébois, Levallois
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Later: 114 Rue Marius Aufan, Levallois
You’ll also find surviving plates and product shots explicitly showing “27 Rue Trébois, Levallois” on Mistral-family units.
(Community dating often places 27 Rue Trébois to the mid-1950s; exact start/stop years vary in collector discussions.)
Model notes – Mistral → Royal Mistral
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Mistral (1955): single-stage, high-Venturi twin hose; hallmark circular exhaust slots on the early French top can.
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Royal Mistral (c. 1962–63 EU): updated top-can (squared exhaust openings), larger-bore hoses, new mouthpiece with “acquastop” non-returns.
Quick timeline
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1946: La Spirotechnique founded; CG45 mass-produced.
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1955: Mistral introduced in France; CG45 continues in service contracts thereafter.
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Early 1960s: Royal Mistral revision in Europe.
Collector details to document on your example
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Faceplate line: Look for “La Spirotechnique – 27 Rue Trébois – Levallois” (mid-period). Photograph the full badge.
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Top can style: Circular vs. squared exhaust openings (helps separate early Mistral vs. Royal Mistral).
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Hoses & mouthpiece: Larger-bore hoses and acquastop valves on later Royal Mistral.
FAQs
When was the Mistral made?
Launched 1955 in France by La Spirotechnique (Aqua Lung/La Spirotechnique).
What does “Scaphandre” mean on the plate?
French for “diving apparatus”/“diver,” commonly seen on period labels for underwater equipment.
Why do some plates show different addresses?
La Spirotechnique’s factory/office addresses changed over time; collectors use them to estimate production windows (e.g., 27 Rue Trébois for mid-period).
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