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Obscure and Vintage Dive Watches

  1. noelekal Home For Wayward Watches Jan 12, 2015

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    Never was much into vintage dive watches until this Zodiac Sea Wolf came along.
    [​IMG]
    Now I find myself studying photos of them. Lots of different styling features to be seen.
     
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  2. redpcar Jan 12, 2015

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    Love the Zodiacs. What about a Magnum PI first edition? Chronosport from seasons 1 to 3 :)
    Quartz, I know but still cool. They bring stupid money only based on the show. Chronostop.jpg
     
  3. timeismoney Jan 12, 2015

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    I am not much of a dive watch person but found this Mirexal quite easy on the eyes and easy to wear.

    M2.JPG
    M1.JPG
     
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  4. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jan 13, 2015

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    My Snorkel still has the 666 - it was a big reason why I bought it.

    [​IMG]

    Cheers, Al
     
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  5. STANDY schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector Jan 13, 2015

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    Sold mine a few weeks ago to the young fella at work and every time i see it i want it back. Loved the side on profile of the bezel
    666 (1).jpg
     
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  6. CdnWatchDoc Jan 13, 2015

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    Not a great pic, but this Accutron Deep Sea 666 dive watch has great patina...wouldn't take it anywhere near the water though!
    [​IMG]

    And then there is this lovely vintage Gruen, one of my favourite sit-around-the-house watches:
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. TexOmega Jan 13, 2015

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    My circa 1963-64 version like Archers and my 1983-4 version with a A.Schild movement...plus a early 1960's Gruen

    Bulova Snorkel 666 Automatic (Copy).JPG



    Bulova 17J 1453.30 (A. Schild) movement (Copy).JPG
    Gruen (Copy).JPG
     
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  8. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Jan 13, 2015

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    Ironically, my most obscure and (probably) least expensive dive watch has the most sublime "beach" patina of any that I've ever seen. In fact, that is why I bought the watch.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. TexOmega Jan 13, 2015

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    and of course a Russian version

    boctok-amphibian-copy-.jpg
     
  10. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Jan 13, 2015

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  11. pitpro Likes the game. Jan 13, 2015

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    Just surfing and pasting here,
    but this might be a VERY special Prototype MIL Spec watch
    http://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/990103944/m/5821038392?r=862106132
    What I think we see here is a MIL-W-3181 (Ca. 1958) Bulova UDT prototype. In 1958 the U.S. Navy decideded to replace its aging stock of "canteen" diving watches. Retired General Omar N. Bradley, CEO of the Bulova Reseach and Development Laboratory came up with this design based upon the Blancpain 50 fathoms. The version I am aware of is that there were supposedly five prototypes produced, and three of them failed the Navy tests when the moisture indicators read that the watch had water contamination. Bulova abandoned the project, as it is speculated that their efforts were fully committed towards the development of the Accutron model. Bulova wanted their Accutron to be accepted as the NASA watch of choice (Omega won this distinction with the Speedmaster), and simultaniously the American watch industry was rapidly deteriorating.

    Only two examples of the Bulova protoype are known to exist.

    In 1961, the U.S. Navy changed the diver specifications to the MIL-W-22176A which reflected several improvements from the Bulova. Several companies competed for the contract, including Longines, but Blancpain won the contract for about 1000 TR-900 watches which were subsequently issued to Navy UDT frogmen and also U.S. Marine Force Recon units in during 1965-1966. These watches were labeled "Tornek-Rayville" after the U.S. distributor. The majority is said to have been issued to the Marines who were expanding the size of their recon units for Vietnam deployment and who, during 1966, received $1M to purchase "carte blanche" all their specialized SCUBA and Parachute equipment. They conducted training in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands (submarine insertions), and Panama Jungle Warfare training Center in preparation before shipping out for Vietnam.

    Today, several companies have reproduced versions of these historic watches since finding one is an impossiblity.
     
    Edited Jan 13, 2015
    Giff2577 likes this.
  12. Alpha Kilt Owner, Beagle Parent, Omega Collector Jan 13, 2015

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    Sorry Standy, no chance of this one leaving youngest daughters clutches.
    photo.jpg
     
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  13. Alpha Kilt Owner, Beagle Parent, Omega Collector Jan 13, 2015

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    Ok! I should have used this for target practice a long time ago.
    WHY have I not thrown it out ?????????????
    :):):)

    IMG_6105.jpg
    IMG_6107.jpg
     
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  14. redpcar Jan 13, 2015

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    Bulova Oceanographer.jpg That Sekonda is a mixture of styles for sure. Early diver, world timer and LeCoultre all rolled into 1. How many have seen a Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel 666? Check out the markers. Glass cylinders. Very groovy clash between a turtle and Barbarella.
     
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  15. pitpro Likes the game. Jan 14, 2015

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    Ahhh the dick ended the auction "lost or broken"
    when you have a hot one, why not let it fly, dumb
     
  16. LarryG not KennyG, not OG, just LarryG Jan 14, 2015

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    An offer he couldn't refuse....
    There were alot of eyes on that one and I'm sure many pleas and offers to buy-it-now. Only surprised that it took so long....
     
  17. base615 Jan 14, 2015

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    Shouldn't be allowed to pull it once the reserve has been exceeded (in this case as soon as the first bid went in)
     
  18. redpcar Jan 14, 2015

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    I had this one on ebay and you should have seen all the stories. "My father served in Vietnam and he had a watch just like this. Now he is dying of cancer and I just want to give him one last memorable gift. Would you change it to Buy it Now for $100?" .............ummmmm nope. Seiko Monster.jpg
     
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  19. pitpro Likes the game. Jan 14, 2015

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    That watch was a Runner
    it might have done $20k, $30k who knows
    let it Fly
    DUMB
     
  20. LarryG not KennyG, not OG, just LarryG Jan 14, 2015

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    Im sure it did at least that in a private sale.