eBay Finds: Iconic Chronographs & Jumping Hours

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!

Bulova White Prince Jump Hour

First up this week we have a really special one. This 1932 Bulova White Prince jump hour / direct read dress watch is truly rare, and this example is in superb condition. I used to collect these 1930’s Deco Bulovas and this has to be the nicest one I’ve ever seen. The hour, minute and seconds are shown on rotating discs through the viewports cut into the case. I mean, does it get any cooler than this?? The 26mm chrome plated case is in excellent condition and looks super sharp. Seller states the caliber 10AT movement has been serviced and runs well. The time discs look original and quite nice with some patina. These really don’t show up for sale all that often, especially in this condition. If this “jumps” out at you, don’t let it slip away.

View auction here.

Vintage Vulcain Chronograph

Vulcain may be famous for their iconic alarm watches, but they also made a plethora of other models, including this simple classic two register chronograph. The silver dial is really clean and has nice big chono subdials. Large stick hands with lume lines in them make this one really easy to read. The case is chrome plated with a steel back, but there doesn’t appear to be any wearthrough on the plating. The crown does show some wear though. The watch is powered by the tried and true workhorse Valjoux 7733 manual wind movement, which looks nice and clean and works as it should per the seller. It comes with a period-correct ‘coffin link’ bracelet which may or may not be original, but is nevertheless a nice addition. One thing to note is there is a crack in the crystal at 6 o’clock, so the winner would do well to get it replaced. Still, overall nice vintage chronograph that shouldn’t break the bank.

View auction here.

Vintage Seiko Chronograph 6138

The Seiko 6138 movement is one of the best, most under-rated chronograph movements made. Column wheel chronograph, automatic and also manual wind, day/date with true quickset…and they run forever. Here we have one of the more unique 6138 iterations, the 6138-0017 Yachtsman, affectionately known as the UFU for its large 44mm disc shaped case. This example looks unpolished with its original  brushed finish. The dial and hands are excellent with no wear or patina that I could see. The two subdials are vertically aligned with the bottom one being bigger, giving it that ‘big eye’ look. And it comes on the original fishbone bracelet which is always a plus. One design touch that is unique to this model is the chronograph pushers have little rings engraved in them, giving them a ‘piston’ look. Like most vintage Seiko chronographs, these are getting harder and harder to find in good, original condition.

View auction here.

Breitling Chronograph Co Pilot 765

Two chronographs are good, but three is better! And as the Schoolhouse Rock song goes, “three is the magic number”! Here we have a gorgeous vintage Breitling Co Pilot reference 765 CP. Wow, this one is a stunner. If the Vulcain above shouldn’t break the bank, this one might require the Brinks truck. However, I’m sure it’ll be worth whatever the hammer price is. This model was apparently famously worn by Raquel Welch as well as Jean Claude Killy. The stainless steel case is unpolished with nice sharp edges, and the bezel is in crazy sweet condition. The refverse panda dial is near perfect and super cool, sepecially with the ‘big eye’ hour subdial at 3 o’clock. Seller states the watch runs and chronograph functions properly. This is an absolute grand slam winner, and if you’re in the market for a high-end vintage chronograph, look no further!

View auction here.

Bucherer Electric

Coming back down to Earth here with this neat vintage Bucherer Electric piece. The 35mm  gold plate case is in great shape and a good size. The dial is really cool, with a curved radial brushed finish that you don’t see often. The hour markers are gold colored grooves that are cut into the dial instead of applied markers. This one has an electric movement that works per the seller, and has a new battery. The watch comes on a vintage gold tone stretch bracelet that suits the look perfectly. Something kind of fun and different for your collection.

View auction here.

Bulova Senator

Well, this week started with Bulova and we’ll end with another Bulova. This one is a 1958 Senator. This model has a fancy case with scalloped designs on either side, with a hexagonal dial. The case looks to be in great condition with little to no wearthrough to the gold plating. The crown is original and signed with the Bulova logo. The silver/white dial is also in great shape, with gold Roman numeral hour markers and dauphine hands. Classic Bulova sub seconds dial at 6 o’clock. The gold stretch bracelet is from the same period and looks good, but I doubt its original to the watch. Seller states the caliber 11AC manual wind movment has been serviced and runs well. The watch comes in a really spiffy plastic Bulova clamshell box that is a beauty in its own right.

View auction here.