Obscure and Vintage Dive Watches

[w154]

A not so common pair.

 

[Mr.Bliss]

1960’s U.S. manufactured Belair Seapearl 600 - cal. PUW1363. Belair Watch Co.
Belair Watch Co. has a pretty cool history including a relationship with “Enicar”.
The owner, Eenest Grunwald, originally from Germany, moved to the U.S. and by the 1950’s was the U.S. distributor for brands that included CYMA and Enicar. In the early 60’s, he opened a movement factory in the Virgin Islands (as part of a government backed program) which helped create duty fee movements for American watches vs. buying Swiss. Based on the success of the business, and duty rules changing, he started selling complete watches under the Belair Watch Co. out of New York and eventually moved the company to New Jersey. Belair remains in business today, producing branded and private label watches.
The movement factory in St. Croix is still operational as well! The name “Seapearl” on their diver line, was supposedly licensed from Enicar, and is still sold as a line of Belair watches.
Movement is a PUW1363. In house from their factory in Virgin Islands. 19mm lug width
I like it better due to size (38mm) and tie to 62MAS. Sadly, people buy these as bezels are the same. They remove bezel for their MAS vs. buying a reproduction bezel. It’s made these hard to find.
Sadly yes. They used to sell around $450. A very inexpensive way to get a nice original bezel for a $5K watch - sadly.

 

[JwRosenthal]

Mr.Bliss

1960’s U.S. manufactured Belair Seapearl 600 - cal. PUW1363. Belair Watch Co.
Belair Watch Co. has a pretty cool history including a relationship with “Enicar”.
The owner, Eenest Grunwald, originally from Germany, moved to the U.S. and by the 1950’s was the U.S. distributor for brands that included CYMA and Enicar. In the early 60’s, he opened a movement factory in the Virgin Islands (as part of a government backed program) which helped create duty fee movements for American watches vs. buying Swiss. Based on the success of the business, and duty rules changing, he started selling complete watches under the Belair Watch Co. out of New York and eventually moved the company to New Jersey. Belair remains in business today, producing branded and private label watches.
The movement factory in St. Croix is still operational as well! The name “Seapearl” on their diver line, was supposedly licensed from Enicar, and is still sold as a line of Belair watches.
Movement is a PUW1363. In house from their factory in Virgin Islands. 19mm lug width
I like it better due to size (38mm) and tie to 62MAS. Sadly, people buy these as bezels are the same. They remove bezel for their MAS vs. buying a reproduction bezel. It’s made these hard to find.
Sadly yes. They used to sell around $450. A very inexpensive way to get a nice original bezel for a $5K watch - sadly.

Nice history. Mine says hi

 

[Dan S]

Some Citizen "Challenge" Divers, 1969-1978.

 

[JwRosenthal]

Just back from the spa

 

[Norfolk]

Here’s some of my Belair collection. More info here - a write up I did a few years ago.
https://chronopedia.club/Belair

 

[Guy0783]

I found a few less common divers at the watch show this weekend and brought these home...

The OW I've had for a while.

 

[DeathandTaxes]

Elgin Watermelon

 

[TexOmega]

Guy0783

I found a few less common divers at the watch show this weekend and brought these home...

The OW I've had for a while.

@Guy0783

How old is that Chelsea Ship's Clock?

 

[Guy0783]

TexOmega

@Guy0783

How old is that Chelsea Ship's Clock?

It's early. I think 1910's. The dial is actually marked Ashcroft but it is indeed a Chelsea!

 

[Guy0783]

I think I mis-applied your question...😗

The brass clock is 1910's, Early Chelsea, dial marked Ashcroft

The black dial 24hr Chelsea is 50-s to 60's I believe.

 

[TexOmega]

Thanks


PM sent

 

[Mr.Bliss]

How about this Rox Immortal.
Has anyone any info on this company?

 

[DeathandTaxes]

While my favorite was the watermelon, I had a few others - Elgin family photo:

 

[pmontoyap]

I really like this pair. The Elgor (pretty obscure brand if you ask me) has a very attractive sunburst grey dial with orange details, and inner rotating bezel. What’s not to like.



This Silvana has an Omega 166.073 (one of my favorites Omegas) inspired (read knock off) dial, and the chromed inserts inside the poured acrylic bezel seem to be quite unusual as well.

 

[redpcar]

Just arrived. Helios diver. Never seen one before. Bioceramic?? 😉

 

[cvalue13]

redpcar

Just arrived. Helios diver. Never seen one before. Bioceramic?? 😉

More like bio-asbestos 😉

(cool watch)

 

[cvalue13]

And a pulso-bezel?!

 

[redpcar]

cvalue13

And a pulso-bezel?!

That part is odd.

 

[w154]

It’s a shame the bezel isn’t better so I might try and track a replacement down.