10:25 Vintage and Analog/Shift Join Forces

A few weeks ago, something great for fans of affordable vintage occurred. Our friends at 10:25 Vintage and Analog/Shift joined forces. More specifically, 10:25 became a part of the Analog/Shift family. In the last few years, many a vintage retailer has popped up and the vintage market has gone a little crazy, so having sellers you can trust is very important. By becoming a part of Analog/Shift, 10:25 gains their well regarded reputation for selling authentic and well-running vintage timepieces, as well as an increased inventory of interesting and stylish pieces.

Today, we’re going to take a quick look at four watches that 10:25 is currently or about to offer:

Zodiac Sea Wolf

The Sea Wolf is basically the Submariner of Fifty Fathoms for those with a tighter budget. A truly iconic and innovative watch with a rich history and a great look. We’ve discussed the vintage ones previously here (and the modern ones here), which goes into some depth on their origins that I recommend reading. The model seen here is the date version with a white dial and white bezel from the 70’s. Measuring 35mm, these are certainly on the small side for something with a dive design, but they have a pleasant chunkiness that makes them wear well regardless. The white bezel is a particularly striking detail that makes this watch all the more unique.

Available here

Shown on a Model 2 Classic Mahogany

Nivada Grenchen Antarctic

Just a couple of weeks ago, we brought you the rather fascinating tale of the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic watch. If the SeaWolf is the Submariner, the Antarctic is the Explorer. Designed and built to survive the climate of the Antarctic, these watches from the late 50’s are “waterproof”, anti-magnetic chronometers that obviously could survive extreme cold. Despite their rugged engineering, the Antarctics have the flair of a mid-century dress piece, with textured dials, stylized applied markers and eccentric typefaces.

The version seen here has a silver linen dial with a date at 3. In another mid-century move, the date is red on white, which I personally love to no end. Flip the 34mm case over and you’ll find a near NOS stamped gold-tone Antarctic scene depicted in the center of the case. Add in the Chronometer ETA 2472 (well, once held to Chronometer spec) and you have a watch that really makes the saying “they don’t make ‘em like they used” ring true.

Listing here

Shown on a Model 2 Classic Amber

Wittnauer Super Compressor

The dual crown Super Compressor divers of the 60’s are amongst my favorite vintage pieces. They have the lines and legibility of sport watches, but the elegance of something meant for a night out. There were many a brand that used these cases, which we go over in our Super-Compressor guide, but each brand had their own take on the dial, hands and internal bezel. The Wittnauer is a favorite amongst the group, perhaps only trailing behind the rare Benrus Ultra-Deep.

Featuring bold, painted tritium stripes and a large 12, 6 and 9 numerals, the Wittnauer almost feels like a diver riff on an Explorer. The 36mm case had thick, faceted lugs that give it great wrist presence and a slightly more modern feel. This model shown is all original, featuring two signed crowns and the original crystal with an internal, trapezoidal cyclops. Not pictured are the original box and papers that accompany it. Ones in this condition are exceedingly rare.

Contact 1025 for more info

Shown on a Model 2 Premium Olive

Falcon Diver Chronograph

One of the odd things about watches from the 60’s and 70’s is that many brands used the same components and just rebranded them to suit there needs. Brands also had different names for export, per market or some times for specific retailers. So, as you explore the world of vintage, you’ll come across watches with components you recognize and great movements, from brands you’ve never seen before, and may never see again. This Falcon Diver Chronograph is one such piece.

The case is a chronograph version of a diver that was used by Movado (likely others too). It has a very unique and attractive shape. Sort of a barrel, sort of a cushion, it’s 43mm and has beveled edges all around, pointed crown guards and an amazing, ratcheting, bi-color bake-lite bezel. Because of the bezel design, which is nearly identical to what we saw on these Squale Masters, my assumption is that it is a Squale case. Since they supplied to many companies at the time, that wouldn’t be out of the question.

The dial is a work of art as well. It’s a faded sunburst Meditteranean blue with applied markers, tritium dots and tachymetre. At 3 and 9 are two very cool sub-dials for the chrono minutes and active seconds respectively. They have a sort of mid-century tv-shape, which is a wide, squared off oval. Dead center is a bright orange chronograph seconds hand that ties it all together. The watch isn’t just a pretty face though, as it’s powered by a manual-wound Valjoux 7734 movement, which is a high quality chronograph. This one wears big and looks great… a real unique piece.

Available here

Shown on the accompanying bracelet and a Model 2 Premium Rust

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