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Spirotechnique Calypso

The Spirotechnique Calypso is a 35mm underwater film camera, designed for use without an external housing. It was introduced in the late 1950s and was sold by the French diving-equipment company Spirotechnique before the design was later licensed to Nikon.

At UK auction, hammer prices for the Calypso are thinly traded, with the two recorded sales fetching £350 and £700 — a wide spread that reflects how much condition and completeness drive what this camera is worth today. With so few data points, any single figure should be treated as indicative rather than a firm market price in 2026.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Date Price Source
Sep 2024 £94 Flints Auctions
Nov 2020 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Nov 2015 EUR 1,000 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 420 Leitz Auction
Nov 2008 EUR 850 Leitz Auction
Nov 2007 EUR 480 Leitz Auction
Nov 2006 EUR 1,700 Leitz Auction
Nov 2004 EUR 698 Leitz Auction
Apr 2003 £352 Christie's
Oct 2000 £470 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Spirotechnique Calypso worth?

Based on the limited UK auction record, the Calypso has sold for between roughly £350 and £700 at the hammer, with condition and completeness being the main value drivers.

How much does a Spirotechnique Calypso sell for at auction?

Recorded hammer prices sit in the £350–£700 range, but with only a small number of sales the price any individual example achieves can vary significantly.

Is the Spirotechnique Calypso the same as the Nikonos?

The Calypso is the original French-made underwater 35mm camera whose design was subsequently licensed to Nikon, which produced the related Nikonos line.

Other Spirotechnique cameras