H.G.P., a brand that was resurrected in 2023, is known for the Monnin 844 case. This one here, though, is somthing different. The French brand’s latest model is the H.G.P. Diver 300m Automatic Commando, a watch with a historical reference, and is using the Monnin 980 case. And if you scrolled through the pics already, you may be thinking it looks a lot like a Squale case, and you would be correct, but there are quite a few differences, especially on this modern version. The case is 41.5mm, a mix of brushed and polished stainless steel, and has the iconic “Scuba Dude” on the dial. At this time, there’s only one dial color, black, which matches the vintage model, and no bracelet; rather, a Tropic rubber or nylon strap, and the current price is $616, though that price seems to fluctuate a few dollars every few days.
In the video review above, I give a brief history with some pics of the original H.G.P. Diver 300m Automatic Commando, though that is the name now, as the originals were mostly quartz as far as I have seen. That is at least the H.G.P. versions, as this case was designed by Monnin, produced by MRP SA, and used by many other brands such as Sinn, Dodane, Airin, and quite a few others. Basically, this case and dial got around. Now here we are, over 40 years later, almost 50 years actually, with its rebirth. The original case did look much more like the Squale 50 Atmos, with large curved lugs and case profile, but this modern version has its own identity.
As you can see above and below, the case is very distinct, with much less curve to the lugs than a Squale 1521 case, though it does have the extended block on the case, the bumper if you will, that leads into the crown, as this is what creates the integrated crown guards, keeping the crown safe from knocks and bumps. And unlike the Squale, this crown is not as large and is a little more recessed. The crown action is somewhat unique, and maybe that’s the wrong word for it, but I did find I was not overly fond of the crown action, as it lacked a noticeable click when unscrewing, and it also had no real feedback when pushing it back down into the case. This feels intentional, and maybe it’s just a smoother action of a crown that I am not used to.
The case of the H.G.P. Diver 300m Automatic Commando (man, that’s a long name, isn’t it?) only comes in one case finish, brushed and polished. I say that because these days, the Squale can be had in all polished, all blasted, or even all brushed now. And while choices are great, I do love what H.G.P. did here; the case is mostly brushed, with high polished accents, like on the lugs, where you can see that the polished chamfer flares out and accentuates the lug design. The crown is polished, and the area around the bezel insert is polished, as well as the area in between the lugs.
And then we have that dial, that oh-so-awesome dial. Yes, this dial is busy, exactly as the original was, with a lot of text, those giant hour indices, the chapter ring numbers, the 24-hour numbers, and of course, the Scuba Dude. I admit, and many have heard me over the years, I prefer a much cleaner dial generally, but there’s something about this dial. Maybe it’s because it’s a vintage reference, maybe it’s because it reminds me of dive watches I owned back in the 80s and 90s, or because with a matte black (though slightly textured) dial and the white hands, and those massive indices, this is easy to read at a glance, especially coupled with a rare flat sapphire crystal on a dive watch.
The bezel is bi-directional, somewhat odd for a modern dive watch, but it is 120 clicks and has a nice tactile feel about it, and maybe a little more odd, it has a countdown scale instead of elapsed time. Now this is not uncommon; there are many different ways to use a bezel, but I don’t remember offhand the last time I saw both combined. It is a great-looking bezel though, and I do like the matte anodized aluminum insert, as it has that vintage vibe to it, though I am sure some would want a ceramic or sapphire bezel; for this style of watch, I feel aluminum works well.
Around the back, it’s pretty simple: an almost mirror-polished back and lugs, with a center circle that is brushed. I would prefer it to all be brushed, but at least it’s on the back and not the front. The center area shows the serial numbers, and if you look at that right lug, you’ll see the George Monnin stamp, a nice little touch. Inside is the Miyota 9039; that’s the no-date version of the 9015, and I have no complaints with this movement- never have, and unlike many with this movement, I do not hear that rotor loudly spinning around.
This is usually the part of the review I will show and discuss it on the wrist, but I think I will stop making you wait for the lume shots, because I know some are just chomping at the bit for them. As one would hope and expect, the H.G.P. Diver 300m Automatic Commando looks absolutely amazing in the dark. The lume is 7 layers of Super-LumiNova, and it shows. Expect an all-night lume here; no issues seeing the time if you have to do a bathroom break or check on the little one.
Now I am sure I will catch some flak for this, but if you are reading this and always hope that the watch being reviewed is over 40mm, well, jump up and rejoice, as this one is 41.5mm. And even better, it wears like a 42mm! I am sure some guys who love 38mm watches are shaking their fists and maybe even fingers at me right now, and that’s ok, but us guys who still prefer a watch over 40mm need some love now and then as well. I think it’s great all the choices these days, and that guys who prefer a smaller watch, or just have a smaller wrist, have an abundance of watches these days, but for me, just look how great this one looks on my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist.
No bracelet options, at least not yet, and that’s somewhat of a bummer as I was hoping for a nice beads of rice bracelet for this one. The choices are the rally Tropic rubber as shown in this review, or a simple nylon strap, for a few dollars less. The Tropic is fine, but I would have loved something with fitted lugs, and while it does fit my wrist, if you have a wrist much bigger than mine, you’ll need to replace the strap. Fortunately, it is a widely available 20mm.
I am pretty much in love with the H.G.P. Diver 300m Automatic Commando, and no, I don’t feel ashamed as a reviewer to state that. This checks a lot of boxes for me personally, with the case design, it being 41.5mm, though still pretty thin at just a little under 12mm, the crazy and funky dial, and of course that lume. It’s an attractive watch; it’s affordable (half the price of a Squale 1521), and though the cases are made in China, they are assembled in France, and to be frank, with this case design and finishing, it could have been made anywhere, and I wouldn’t balk at it, and quite frankly, most cases are made in China these days.
I do have to get used to the more hydraulic feeling and silent crown action, and I do wish there were different straps or a bracelet option, but as is, this is still a pretty good value all things considered, and I hope we will see more variation with this case design from H.G.P. in the future.
I've been an avid watch lover since the age of 7. Watches are not only my hobby but a passion. My favorite style used to be dive watches, but field or non bezel watches have been growing on me. When I'm not reviewing watches I am either cooking or with family and friends.
