Latest Review
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 Zodiac Sea Wolf
The Zodiac Sea Wolf is an absolute icon in the vintage dive watch world, and this early metal bezel version is a nice example. There were many iterations of the Sea Wolf, with various bezel materials, dial colors and date/no date versions. This black dial, date with metal bezel is an earlier combination, and definitely sought after. The plated bezel is usually pretty worn, and the lume can be degraded or re-done on these. This example has a nice clean black dial with great lume on the dial and hands, and the bezel is in top shape. The crown is also original and signed with the Zodiac logo as it should. No movement pictures but the seller states the watch runs well.
Vintage 1970s Bulova Jet Star
Here’s a wild vintage Bulova from 1974, that looks every bit the 70s watch. The 40mm gold plated UFO style case is excellent and unpolished, still showing the original radial brushed finish. The case may draw your eye, but it’s the bold two-tone orange dial that keeps you looking! The dial is a bright orange that turns darker at the outer edge. Applied markers outlined in brighter orange and steel and white hands with a day-date window at 3 o’clock complete the look. The original crown is signed with an unusual Bulova ‘B’ logo that is seldom seen. The bracelet isn’t original, but looks period correct. No movement pictures but the seller states the watch works. Great funky 70’s gem.
Vintage 1977 Seiko 0439-4009
Here’s a cool vintage Seiko LCD, a 0439-4009 from 1977. Seiko of course made a bajillion LCD models, and this is one of the earlier ones. With a nice simple case and display screen and integrated bracelet, this 0439 exemplifies the 1970s LCD watch. Also, how cool to have an LCD from the same year Star Wars premiered in the theater? The watch looks unpolished, with its original bracelet and the display looks to be complete with no missing segments. Great vintage digital watch that shouldn’t stress the wallet, but will delight when on the wrist.
Vintage Hamilton
Here’s a neat piece, a vintage Hamilton that was an award for 5 years of safe driving for Motor Freight Express and the Baltimore Transfer Company System. The simple, round steel case is in good shape, and the silver dial is also simple with applied stick markers. More often than not, award watches are engraved on the back, but this one has all the printing on the dial as well as (presumably) the logo for the freight company. A really interesting piece of history. The crown is original and signed with the Hamilton logo. No movement pictures but the watch runs per the seller.
Vintage Wittnauer Professional Chronograph
Next up is a gorgeous vintage Wittnauer Professional chronograph. I’ve always liked this model, and this example is as nice as they come. The 40mm steel case is superb, unpolished with sharp edges. The black dial looks perfect, with beautiful aging on the lume in the broad hands. You gotta love the big arrow tipped minute hand and lollipop tipped seconds hand. The red anodized aluminum diver bezel looks perfect. The Valjoux 7733 manual wind dual-register movement looks super clean and runs well per the seller. This is a sweet vintage chronograph in as good a shape as I’ve seen for this model.
Vintage Citizen Seven Star Diver
Going to finish off this week with a really sweet vintage Citizen Seven Star diver. This is a “compressor style” with the internal rotating diver bezel and dual crowns. It is not an EPSA Super Compressor case, but definitely shares the style. The black dial is clean, with nice bright lume plots and lume filled hands. The hour hand has a Mercedes tip like the Rolex Submariner. There is a day/date window at 3 o’clock. The steel case looks sharp, and the dual crowns are signed with the Citizen logo. The automatic movement is clean and runs well per the seller. Great vintage diver that you don’t see all that often.
