eBay Finds: A Rare Vintage Swatch, Two Cool Bulovas, and a Classic Seiko Chronograph

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 1987 Swatch 

First up this week is a cool vintage Swatch. I love how these 1980’s gems are back in style! Now, this “X” model is one I didn’t know was a thing, but apparently the X-rated, or Straight Edge or even Gen-X thing this watch represents is quite popular! This particular model goes for quite the premium over other Swatch models I’ve seen. Anyway, this example is in excellent original condition and hails from 1987, and comes on the original plastic strap. If you’re in the market for the coveted “X” Swatch, here’s your chance for one at auction rather than an exorbitant ‘buy it now’ price.

View auction here

1970s Vintage Bulova

Here’s an unusual vintage Bulova Sea King with the neat whale logo. The dark blue dial has really unique faceted cross markers in applied steel, along with bold steel stick hands. The dial also has the classic Sea King whale logo which I’ve always liked. The 32mm steel case is unpolished with sharp edges on the thin lugs. No movement picture but the seller states the watch runs and keeps time. The bracelet is a nice period-correct steel band that suits the watch perfectly, even though it is not Bulova branded. Nice vintage piece that should be easy on the wallet.

View auction here

Vintage Squale Delano White Shark Dive Watch 

Next up is a sweet vintage Squale Delano White Shark diver. Vintage Squales are highly sought after by collectors, and this is a nice one. There were of course numerous different Squale models from many different brands. This example is in the 38mm Super Squale 20 Atmos skin-diver steel case. It looks unpolished with the original brushed finish and sharp edges on the lug chamfers. The steel bezel is in pretty good shape, with a bit of wear. The matte black dial has a nice, even patina and lovely lume plots for the hour markers. The dauphine hands look good, with a little lume missing from the minute hand. The crystal appears original, and the crown is original and signed with the “Von” logo as it should. The movement is nice and clean and runs per the seller. Great opportunity for a nice vintage Squale.

View auction here

Vintage 1960s Bulova 

Here’s a great Space Age looking vintage 1962 Bulova 23 jewel dress watch. The 32mm yellow gold plate case is in excellent condition, with super cool hooded fancy lugs. These wild lugs give the watch a neat ‘crab’ look. Add to this the gorgeous two-tone gold dial and you have a really nice dress watch. The matte gold dial has a shiny gold outer ring with applied gold colored markers, and nice gold lume filled dauphine hands. Really a sharp piece. No movement picture but the seller states the watch runs. 

View auction here

Vintage Seiko 6138-0049 

The Seiko Bullhead is an absolute classic, and such a great piece. There are two different dial variations on this model, and this one is the brown dial version, which fits perfectly with its overall 1970’s look. The dial looks to be in excellent condition, but the Hardlex mineral crystal is scratched up. These cannot be polished, but they can be replaced. There are NOS crystals available and also well-made reproductions. The large bullhead style steel case is unpolished with nice sharp edges and has the original factory finish. The hands are in great shape which is nice as they often have condition issues for some reason. The Seiko ‘sport’ bracelet is nice and fits well, but I’m not 100% sure it’s original. Nevertheless, the style fits. 

View auction here

Vintage Accurist Diver’s Chronograph 

Finishing this week with a beautiful vintage Accurist diver chronograph. The large steel skin-diver case is in excellent condition and looks unpolished. The black dial with applied steel markers is a beauty, with bold steel stick hands. The elapsed time divers bezel is a beauty, with nice black acrylic insert in great shape. The bezel style looks very much like the vintage Caribbean bezels. It comes with what looks like the original beads of rice style bracelet which is fantastic, although one of the endpieces has been replaced. The Landeron L51 manual wind movement looks clean and the seller states it runs well. Great chance for a nice vintage chronograph that shouldn’t go for too much.

View auction here