Started by brothers Egidio and Nanni Cressi in Genova, Italy, they started to create their first dive masks and spearfishing guns in 1938, with the first release of their mask "The Sirena" in 1943, which, with various updates, was on the market for over 30 years. By the late 1940’s, Cressi offered a complete range of spearguns with around a dozen separate models.
By the 1950’s Cressi became an international company, exporting its products all over the world. In 1952 Cressi released an innovative new idea, the first dive mask with a nose pocket, making equalisation possible, called the Pinocchio Mask. This is the most famous mask and is still available in their Italian catalogue.
From the 1950’s, Cressi athletes started to compete and regularly win in the world's first spearfishing competitions. This trend continued for many years.
In 1970 Cressi manufactured the first Equi-vest, the very early version of what we recognise as BCDs today. By 1990 Cressi exported its products to over 90 countries worldwide.
To this day, the company is still entirely owned by the Cressi family that bring the same passion and drive originally provided by brothers Egidio and Nanni Cressi and in line with the original intention of creating high quality products that all of their customers will enjoy using in the water.
Some of Cressi’s most popular products today are their diverse range of durable, spacious and convenient gear bags.
