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Obscure and Vintage Dive Watches

Anthony Lane
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Re-posting here. Early 60's Lidher w/a Dodane produced "2000" series case and screw-down crown. Felsa 692 auto inside (odd that "AUTOMATIC" wasn't on the dial). Resplendent on a period-correct AQUA GS strap.

My son thought the round date magnifier was a water drop. "Dad, you have water on your watch!" Love that he noticed, he knows which watches of mine can get wet and which shouldn't.

IMG_3012.jpg
 
Dan S
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Wittnauer skin diver. I think the SS bezel is a nice change of pace.

wittnauer_skin_diver.jpg
 
Anthony Lane
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Dan S Dan S
Wittnauer skin diver. I think the SS bezel is a nice change of pace.

wittnauer_skin_diver.jpg

Lovely. I like a SS bezel, adds a touch of class. A local fellow has one for sale, but he’s firm at $900.
 
Anthony Lane
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Just picked up this second execution Ardath Denis Diver. I had been looking for a little while, but everything was either sold or over-budget. I happened to reach out to a fellow on Instagram after going 3 years back on his feed and took a stab and asked if he had one available and sure enough he did.

I almost passed, the hands are roached—likely a result of a very poorly done lume job at some point. The plexi is not original, but the dial is in amazing condition, as is the movement, and it has the original crown (hard to find).

I love these. They remind me of an early Submariner. I’ll have the hands re-done to match the dial and it’ll really shine. Not bad for a hair over $200

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Nupero
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Sandoz Blue Blue. Steel case, cool tritium dial and most importantly NO DATE.

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Caliber FHF-ST 96.
IMAG0596.jpg


Looks good on a BOR too.
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G
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ALEJANDRO BOVONE ALEJANDRO BOVONE
good old aquastar with nice looks

WhatsApp Image 2022-05-30 at 9.05.42 PM.jpeg
wakman17.jpg


A very similar Wakmann. Note the diver ring is not original. It was missing when I bought the watch. Perfect fit, but the original looked more like the one on Your Aquastar.
 
ALEJANDRO BOVONE
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G gerdson
wakman17.jpg


A very similar Wakmann. Note the diver ring is not original. It was missing when I bought the watch. Perfect fit, but the original looked more like the one on Your Aquastar.

you mean the wakmann came with a steel bezel? case design looks alike
 
G
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Exactly, the picture references I could find all do show a bezel without inlay, and layout like the Aquastar. Both companies will have sourced the case from the same supplier. Mine shows severe signs of use, a previous owner must have "loved to wear it, but otherwise not loved it". At some time the bezel got lost. Sourcing these is among the hardest thing... so I took what I could get. The one I found has perfectly matching dimensions (and there are several diameters to observe). I like it this way, but it is not original.
 
J
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Hello everyone, I have a dive watch from perhaps the 60s or 70s I'd love to learn more about. It is a Benmore 17 Jewel Incabloc rated for 10 ATM. What I love about this piece is that the bezel is countersunk into the case for a sleek look and thinner case. The case is 36 mm in diameter without the crown and only 10 mm thick. The watch still functions as does the lume on the dial and hands. Any information would be great as I'm considering having this watch serviced. Thank you!
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J
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I realize that this thread doesn't get a lot of action but any help would be much appreciated!
 
TexOmega
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J JSpdx
I realize that this thread doesn't get a lot of action but any help would be much appreciated!


What information are you seeking in this "Obscure" and Vintage Diver Thread?

It is most likely from the 1970's, made at a price point to compete with a Quartz.


Open up and show the movement, but most likely a generic ETA.

Unless you have an emotional attachment to this watch, having it serviced will be more than the value.


The original TROPIC 19mm rubber strap may have the most value, if the buckle is original.
Edited:
 
J
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I couldn't find anything about this manufacturer and the few pictures I found did not include this model. Just wondering if anyone had even heard of this manufacturer. It's very comfortable and I love how thin it is for what it is.
 
TexOmega
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Benmore is not the manufacturer. Just one of a gillion watch names made to a price point for export.
 
JwRosenthal
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J JSpdx
I couldn't find anything about this manufacturer and the few pictures I found did not include this model. Just wondering if anyone had even heard of this manufacturer. It's very comfortable and I love how thin it is for what it is.
The skin diver craze of the late 60’s/early 70’s brought a lot of no-name brands put together with off the shelf parts from wholesaler catalogs, then sold in department or discount stores. They ranged from cheap 1 jewel chrome plated crap to actually decent watches with stainless cases and good quality Swiss movements. It’s not uncommon to see identical dials and cases across several different “name” brands- none of which anyone has heard of, but you begin to recognize the parts.
Yours is probably in the middle road of those watches, an attractive blue sunburst dial, case is possibly stainless but not marked as such on the back, most likely an FHF or Felsa movement inside, and made to resemble a Tissot diver.
These are nice value watches to beat about and servicing usually costs more than they are worth- but we still buy them becuase they are cool.
 
J
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
The skin diver craze of the late 60’s/early 70’s brought a lot of no-name brands put together with off the shelf parts from wholesaler catalogs, then sold in department or discount stores. They ranged from cheap 1 jewel chrome plated crap to actually decent watches with stainless cases and good quality Swiss movements. It’s not uncommon to see identical dials and cases across several different “name” brands- none of which anyone has heard of, but you begin to recognize the parts.
Yours is probably in the middle road of those watches, an attractive blue sunburst dial, case is possibly stainless but not marked as such on the back, most likely an FHF or Felsa movement inside, and made to resemble a Tissot diver.
These are nice value watches to beat about and servicing usually costs more than they are worth- but we still buy them becuase they are cool.
Thank you! That's what I was curious about and now I have been educated. I agree with the last sentiment, I still love the watch!
 
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