Spirotechnique Calypso

First sold in France in 1960, the Calypso was the world’s first fully capable underwater camera.

This groundbreaking camera was developed in collaboration with renowned French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, who had envisioned the ideal underwater camera for years.

Not only was it the most compact underwater camera available—requiring no bulky housing—it could also descend to depths of 60 meters and operate in temperatures as low as -20°C.

Nikon, a partner in this venture, introduced the camera in Japan in 1963 under the name Nikonos I, marking the beginning of the iconic Nikonos underwater camera line, which continued into the 1990s.

The Calypso was such an innovation it was featured in James Bond Thunderball with Sean Connery in 1965.