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Dinky hits new lows

JwRosenthal
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I saw this listing referenced in an incredibly optimistic eBay listings for a cheap chrome plated Orvin diver and couldn’t believe that this is actually something they sold.

https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/2828-orvin-diver
9933DDF8-F949-4BF1-9342-A6E2B29F1632.png


The tradition line of stainless divers from Sears were nicely made, and most likely made by Orvin and can be had in the $4-700 range. But these chrome plated watches are bargain basement pieces.

I get that the market for vintage has gone nuts, but this sets the bar so low that I tripped over it.
 
Walrus
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Ah it has possible implications to make those cheap divers you can still find not so cheap. I noticed the a few days after that NYT article pointing out cheap obtainable watches and reviving old brands the same 60’s Waltham diver I got for 125 bucks was selling online for 600 plus and it was in very poor condition. Doesn’t mean anyone will pay that but the flippers watch this closely. Kind of a bummer.
 
JwRosenthal
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I am just so dumbfounded, I will include the picture of the back and article in case they remove it in shame. They compared this to the Tudor ranger and the Seamaster…what the actual fυck?!?!

76E607CE-C00E-40B9-991E-401FF1E8EDE2.jpeg


WHY THIS WATCH MATTERS
This classic diver was made for Sears, Roebuck and Co., a U.S. department store.
THE FULL STORY
An anchor at many American malls of the 20th century, Sears or Sears, Roebuck and Co. should be a name that sounds familiar at least. Orvin on the other hand, may not. Just as with Baylor with Zales, Orvin was an inhouse brand name for some Sears watches. Rather than slap their own name on the dial, these retailers chose to choose something that could be perceived as "fancier" or more reliable at least.

This Orvin is going for more reliability. As a Skin Diver style tool watch, Sears looked to provide their customers with a simple, robust, go-anywhere dive watch in this Orvin. The resulting watch has a bit of a Tudor Ranger look to it combined with a Submariner. The 6-9-12 layout with the date at three reminds me of a Tudor Ranger Date and the black rotating bezel is where the Submariner inspiration kicks in. We also appreciate the minimal text on the dial. Confirming the Sears provenance are case stampings from Sears as well as a US import code on the movement reading "SOX."

We paired this Orvin, or Sears, with our Bedford strap in light grey to keep things simple.
 
Dan S
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Yeah, there's absolutely nothing special about that watch. It's in better than average condition, but even so, in an eBay auction, it would probably sell for about $100-$150 IMO.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Rather than slap their own name on the dial, these retailers chose to choose something that could be perceived as "fancier" […] The resulting watch has a bit of a Tudor Ranger look to it combined with a Submariner. The 6-9-12 layout with the date at three reminds me of a Tudor Ranger Date and the black rotating bezel is where the Submariner inspiration kicks in.
Actual footage of the Hodinkee writer publishing this BS.
73EDD9F8-C491-4A5E-AC41-511B7C1502B6.gif
 
JwRosenthal
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Dan S Dan S
Yeah, there's absolutely nothing special about that watch. It's in better than average condition, but even so, in an eBay auction, it would probably sell for about $100-$150 IMO.
Well, apparently someone bought it, and others saw the listing as well and think they have a gem
D2FF2A61-C01D-4CC1-812D-8D0D699B6EDA.png
 
Dan S
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If it really sold for that price (and I have no way of knowing that), I can only guess that some sucker didn't realize it was just a plated diver-style piece, because they didn't imagine Hodinkee would sell something like that.
 
JwRosenthal
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Dan S Dan S
If it really sold for that price (and I have no way of knowing that), I can only guess that some sucker didn't realize it was just a plated diver-style piece, because they didn't imagine Hodinkee would sell something like that.
That’s what fired me up about this- it’s absolutely shameful.
 
cicindela
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Garbage out, $$$$$$ in.

Well I can’t argue with the business model. 🤦
 
Nepomuceño
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Here's one from eBay that sold. If only he had seen the Hodinkee sale. He'd be about $1000 richer 🙄
 
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thelinendial
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@JwRosenthal love how you’ve done image captures to ensure this stays in the archives.

Here’s my contribution - so this will show up on search engines and hopefully inform new buyers…

1960s Orvin Diver For Sears, Roebuck and Co. 36mm Baylor Zale vintage Skin Diver style tool watch sale Plexiglass AS, manually-wound, caliber 1802/03 10571 tool watch
 
Dsloan
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So, what you're saying is: I should cash out my IRA, buy up all the low tier vintage divers on the market, and wait for the price to double in 6 months?
Edited:
 
Larry S
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This is a sign that the well is running dry on one of the pillars of their business plan. Shameful.
 
marcn
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I’m going to let someone else construct a quip about getting old and what happens to yo’dinkee … something about pills for that.
 
JGreenman
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Taddyangle Taddyangle
They sold this one too.
😲The what now? Wasn't this like 800$ when released (and overpriced even then)?
 
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