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.
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
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.
Could it be perhaps the price is so high because this one has a rare flat 4 insert... 😁
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?!?!
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.
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.
I know that I am probably in the minority on this one but I actually don't have a problem with dealers asking above market- albeit this is extreme- given the time and resources they have to allocate towards curating examples they feel is up to there (lower) standards Obviously no one is compelled to purchase any item at these increased prices
My issue is when these dealers knowingly deceive their intended audience. Pictured below is a watch that I assume initially went unsold from another dealer:
Same example was then edited to reduce spotting on the dial and coloring was altered to such a degree that it now appears to be a pink gold example with a two tone dial. It was subsequently relisted and of course sold:
Agreed. I don’t begrudge anyone making a fair living at whatever their trade is- we all need to eat. The assumption is that buying from a reputable dealer will yield a quality product that has been curated and represented honesty- with a guarantee of some sort.
The watch in question here is one that is so below the standards of any reputable dealer that it’s truly shocking. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some cheap divers- but if I saw that Orvin in the glass case at an antique mall with a $150 price tag on it, I would laugh and say they were nuts.
This price inflation is painful. I've finally come to terms with likely never being able to afford an Explorer II. At this rate, I'll soon have to cope with vintage Orvin being out of reach too.
That Orvin watch was probably $15 or so when sold by Sears back in the 60's. A slight step up from the ubiquitous Timex.
Lol- yes, the famous Oris flat 4, and it has numerals on the dial like a 1016 explorer so it must be worth at least 1/10 of one,
