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 Bulova Deep Sea
Bulova made a plethora of dive watch models back in the day, and a few of them have been reissued as modern ‘heritage’ remakes. The reason is the vintage Bulova divers are almost all awesome, and this 666ft diver is a perfect example. This model came in two styles, the silver dial seen here and also a black dial. Some were branded as “Snorkel” and some did not have that model name on the dial, like this one. This example is in excellent condition, and the original dial looks fantastic with the original lume. The diver’s bezel is missing the lume pip and the numbers and lines should have black paint, but otherwise this is a stellar example. The original crown is signed as it should be, and the movement is clean and runs well per the seller. These are hard to find in this shape these days.
Vintage Mido Multifort
Here’s a great little vintage Mido Multifort Powerwind dress watch. The nearly 30mm steel case is in good condition, maybe mildly polished at some point, but the caseback is nice and sharp. The silver dial is clean and looks original, with nice stylized numbers and slim arrows. The dauphine hands have large lume filled plots. The watch comes with the correct and original crown. This style crown is quite cool looking I think and is unique to the Mido brand. There is no movement picture but the seller states the automatic movement runs. Solid piece that looks great and shouldn’t stress the wallet.
Vintage Seiko 0439-4019 LCD
I love vintage Seiko, and I also love vintage LCD watches, so how can you beat a vintage Seiko LCD that comes with the full box and papers set? The 0439-4019 is one of the earlier Seiko LCD models and the case has a great hexagonal style, as well as a ‘chiclet’ style steel bracelet. The watch runs and all the LCD segments look like they work. Best of all the watch comes with the full kit, both inner and outer boxes, instructions and warranty booklets as well. Great complete set on a really neat watch.
Baylor Super Compressor
Here we have a great one, a sweet vintage Baylor Super Compressor diver. It is becoming much less common for Super Compressors to show up in an auction as opposed to an over-priced ‘buy it now’ sale. This is one of the 36mm size cases, and it looks to be in great shape, unpolished with sharp edges. It also has the correct and original acrylic crystal. The oversized dual crowns are original and signed with the Baylor logo. More often than not Super Compressor crowns have the iconic crosshatching, but many models just had the brand logo like this example. The charcoal dial is original and looks great, with some aging to the lume. Seller states the watch runs, and the movement looks clean and bright. Great opportunity to acquire a classic Super Compressor without the exorbitant price of examples from more well known brands.
Vintage Timex Marathon
This vintage Timex Marathon LCD may not have quite the style of the vintage Seiko LCD above, but its primitive look is super cool if you ask me. The simple case with brushed finish looks very much like the very early digital watch it is. You don’t see that many vintage Timex LCD watches, and this example is in really nice shape. The time-only display works well, with no missing segments. It even comes with the original instructions. I’m sure the stretch band isn’t original, but it looks era appropriate. Great and scarce vintage LCD that should be an inexpensive way to add a cool retro piece to your collection.
Vintage Omega ref. 2576-11 Seamaster
Going to finish off this week with a bangin’ vintage Omega Seamaster that is a real gem. This beauty is from 1950 (per the serial number on the movement), and it’s in spectacular condition. The 35mm steel case looks unpololished, with sharp edges. It doesn’t have the signature ‘fat lugs’ of the mid-50’s Seamasters, but the fantastic dial more than makes up for that. The silver dial has a large sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and stylized Arabic numerals combined with slim arrow markers. The dauphine hands are large and mostly lume filled, which is not a common design for Omega. The crown is original and signed with the Omega logo as it should be. The caliber 342 bumper automatic movement is shiny and clean, and has been serviced and runs well per the seller. This is a truly beautiful vintage Seamaster. If you’ve been pining for one, take a good long look at this one!
