eBay Finds is back! This bi-monthly installment will feature a selection of watches currently listed on eBay that have caught the eye of editor Christoph McNeil (@vintagediver). If you come across any hidden gems on the ‘Bay drop us a note at [email protected] for potential inclusion!
Vintage Girard-Perregaux
Starting off this week with an absolutely stunning vintage Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk. The 33mm wide stainless steel case looks unpolished with crisp edges. The white dial is a beauty, with nice slim, steel arrow markers that are reminiscent of the classic vintage 1950’s Omega Seamasters. The dial looks original and appears spotless, and is complemented by steel dauphine hands. The crown is original and signed with the GP logo as it should be. There is no movement picture, but the seller states the manual wind movement runs and keeps time. This is a classic looking piece from a premier, yet under-rated vintage watch manufacture.
Vintage Bulova Military
What this little guy lacks in size, it makes up for in swag. The vintage Bulova MIL-W-3818A is a classic and well known Vietnam era issued military watch designed for pilots. It has the classic pilots black dial with easy to read lumed Arabic numerals and a 24 hour inner track. The movement is manual wind and hacks for accuracy. The watch looks all original to me, and in fantastic condition. It has the correct military engravings on the back, and the original jumbo crown (for easy winding with gloves on). Comes on a nice two-piece olive drab canvas strap that looks the part.
Vintage Glycine Automatic Day Date
This vintage Glycine sports watch has a great, solid look to it. While the stainless steel case measures only 33.5mm, it definitely has a larger look with the shape of the case and the thick lugs. The case looks unpolished with original brushed and polished finishes and sharp edges. The silver dial looks mint, and has a clean, classic look. Bold steel and black with lume stick hands and the ubiquitous 1970’s day/date window at three o’clock. And as a bonus the crown is original and signed with the Glycine logo.
Vintage LeCoultre Memovox
Here is a timeless classic, a vintage LeCoultre Memovox alarm watch. These are fantastic watches, and highly sought after by collectors. The 38mm gold plate case looks unpolished and is in really nice shape. The silver dial appears original and has only a few patina marks. Nice applied gold markers and of course the applied gold JL logo marker at 12 o’clock. The inner part of the dial is a disc that turns with one of the two crowns to set the time of the alarm. Speaking of the crowns, they are both original and signed with the JL logo. There were many brands that made mechanical alarm watches, but LeCoultre has to be easily the most famous. This clean example works per the seller, and looks fabulous. I would definitely swap out that vintage Kreisler bracelet for a nice brown croc strap though….
Bulova Academy Award
Bulova made a plethora of amazing Art Deco style watches from the 1920’s through the 1940’s, and this Academy Award model is a brilliant example of their design prowess. The yellow gold fill case has a super cool and unique horizontal ribbed design that extends to the sides as well as the front of the case. The case is excellent, with almost no wear. The silver tuxedo dial is superb, with applied fancy gold Arabic numerals and sword style hands. The original crown is signed Bulova as it should be. This gem comes on what may be the original stretch bracelet, and if it’s not, it certainly looks like it could’ve been! The best part is this watch comes in the original Academy Award plastic display box along with the original guarantee booklet. Fantastic and rare piece in amazing condition.
Vintage Ginault
Last up this week is a really nice little military style Ginault automatic watch. The seller doesn’t list the size, but these are generally small pieces. There were innumerable “no-name” watch brands that popped up and faded away in the 1940’s and 1950’s, and I’d count Ginault among them as I’ve never heard of the name. But look at that copper color bullseye style dial with those fantastic lume filled diamond shaped hands! Can’t beat the cool vintage vibe this one has, and it should be an easy one on the wallet.