eBay Finds: Longines Gold Coronation V, Seiko 6105, Bulova Wrist Alarm, and More

When it comes to shopping for vintage watches on eBay, it can be a gold mine, but it can also be a minefield. Our very own Christoph McNeill (you all might know him as Instagram’s @VintageDiver) wrote a must-read, common sense guide to buying vintage watches on eBay (check out Part 1 and Part 2). So if you’re looking for a vintage watch, but are still a little nervous diving head-first into those murky waters, then don’t worry—we’re here to help. Today, we have another installment of eBay Finds, our series where we highlight some great vintage gems looking for a new home. Happy hunting!

Seiko 
“Turtle” Ref. 6105-8119

The Seiko 6105-811X needs no introduction — its icon status in the world of legendary divers is already secure. This example from 1972 looks to be in original condition, which is getting rarer by the day. The case shows light wear, but it looks largely unpolished, and the original dial looks good under the scratched crystal, which is easy to replace by finding an OEM Seiko crystal or one of the very good repros. There is a tiny amount of black gunk on the second hand, which sometimes happens with these older Seiko watches, but there’s not a lot of it. Regardless, these really are getting tough to find in decent condition, and this one looks pretty good to my eye. Plus, it’s a real auction — not an overpriced “buy it now” listing — so you may just score yourself a deal.

Check it out here

Bulova
Wrist Alarm with 11 AERC Movement

While vintage Bulova may not be known for their alarm watches, if this model is any sort of indication, then it absolutely should! It has a really great looking two-tone silver/white dial with applied steel hour markers, and a simple steel case with lugs that have sharp bevels. This example also has both correct Bulova-signed crowns. The best part, however, is the lume-filled dauphine hands and the blued wiggly pointer hand for the alarm. I love this look! There’s an engraving on the back that isn’t done that well, but this is a model that doesn’t show up for sale often so I can give it a pass.

Check it out here

Seiko
Bell-Matic Alarm Watch Ref. 4006-6037

Here’s another original vintage Seiko, and another alarm at that — a 1973 Bell-Matic. This example exhibits some honest wear, but nothing terrible and the case lines seem to be intact. This model has a great looking 1970s cushion case and its original coffin-link bracelet. The seller states that the crystal is cracked, but like the 6105 above, these crystals aren’t hard to come by so you’ll want to swap that out. In my opinion, these Bell-Matics are definitely undervalued, and this example would be a great addition to any vintage collection.

Check it out here

Longines 
Solid Gold “Tank” Coronoation V

If you want to add some understated bling to your collection, check out this vintage 1940s 14k solid gold Longines Coronation V tank watch complete with box and papers! This looks to have been a safe queen, because the case looks sharp and the dial looks untarnished. This is an elegant dress watch and all the extra paperwork goodies are simply icing on the cake. The strap has been replaced, but that’s fine.  The seller states that the watch runs, but at this age it should probably be serviced for safety.

Check it out here