eBay Finds: King Seiko, Rado Simplon, & More Full Kits

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 King Seiko 45-7000

King Seikos were one of Seiko’s high end dress watch lines, and to this day they are still highly under-rated. This model, the 45-7000 is easily one of their best ever designs. A classic example of Seiko’s “Grammar of Design”, with bold flat planes and sharp edges on the stainless steel case. The clean silver dial with no date and the manual wind hi-beat movement make it nearly perfect. I can tell you from experience that this model is very difficult to find in excellent condition, having looked for one for about 10 years. Recently I found one from a seller in Singapore, otherwise I’d be buying this example myself! The case has been refinished, which I would usually avoid, but it was done by Lapinist who does simply stunning work and actually finishes the cases with the same Zaratsu technique as Seiko. This one also comes with a super cool see-through caseback (still has the original too), so you can see that beautiful movement!

View auction here.

Vintage CWC Chronograph

Here we have a brilliant vintage military issue chronograph. This CWC two-register chrono has markings indicating it was issued to the British Royal Air Force. The large 39m wide asymmetrical steel case is excellent and unpolished. The black dial looks great, overall this watch is in fantastic condition with perfect lume color. The watch is powered by the tried and true workhorse Valjoux 7733 manual wind movement. Seller states the watch runs and functions properly. You really don’t see a lot of issued military watches show up for auction, and this one is a gem.

View auction here.

Vintage Rado Simplon

Next up is this killer vintage Rado Simplon (great name btw!), a model that I’ve never seen before. This has a 34mm wide steel c-shaped case (don’t ask me why this case style is called “C”…) in excellent, unpolished condition. The original brushed finish with super sharp edges looks brilliant. The silver dial is simple with long stick markers and long thin minute hash marks, along with very thin black stick hands. The caseback has a cool Rado anchor logo medallion engraved, and the watch comes on its original mesh bracelet with a signed buckle. The winding crown is also signed with the Rado logo. The watch comes in the really nice original clamshell box with a green interior. Seller stated the watch runs, but no movement picture. Really nice and uncommon vintage Rado dress watch with Minimalist design.

View auction here.

Universal Geneve Polerouter

Next we have a cool vintage Universal Geneve Polerouter ‘NS’, which is definitely not your usual Polerouter! This version is quite different from the classic Polerouter with the metal chapter ring and bombe lugs. This one has a silver dial with a vertical brushed finish and thin, applied dots and dashes for hour markers…quite unusual! Even the Polerouter ‘NS’ name is different, with the NS likely meaning North/South. The crown is correctly signed with the “U” logo, and the acrylic crystal appears to be original with the trapezoid shaped date magnifier window. Seller states the watch runs and keeps time, but no movement picture. Really cool piece for the Universal Geneve enthusiast!

View auction here.

Vintage Gold Bulova

Time for a simpler one, a nice vintage Bulova in 10kt yellow gold filled case, complete with box and hang tag. The gold fill case is in great shape with nice sharp edges and no wearthrough that I can see. The champagne/silver dial is super clean, with a nice radial brushed finish. No date window keeps the look simple with nice symmetry. The hands are the classic Bulova dauphine hands with large lume filled are. Seller states the automatic movement has recently been serviced, so it should be ready to wear and enjoy. Best of all it comes with box and little hang tags!

View auction here.

Vintage Omega Seamaster

Finishing strong this week with a brilliant vintage Omega Seamaster with gorgeous black dial that has amazing patina. Classic mid-1950’s Seamaster steel case with nice lugs in good shape. Looks unpolished with some average wear, with a snap on caseback. The crown is the correct ‘clover leaf’ style, signed with the Omega symbol. The dial is the hero here though. Black dials are scarce, and this one looks original to me, with a really pleasing and even patina. The markers are Arabic numerals at 12 and 6, little squares at 3 and 9, and thin sticks for the rest, all in applied steel. There is a classic crosshair and of course the applied steel Omega symbol as well. Seller states it runs and keeps time, but no movement picture. Original black dial Seamasters don’t come up for sale often, here’s your chance at one!

View auction here.