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Recommended Good Value / Vintage - New Deals On EBAY & other Auctions

JwRosenthal
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cineaste cineaste
Sorry, I am not a native English speaker, I did not mean to be disrespectful. I guess replica would have been a more appropriate term.
I’m just playing with you.
 
COYI
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cineaste cineaste
Is this a knockoff Fifty Fathoms?

I tend to call it an 'homage' as the term 'knockoff' suggests it is trying to pass it off as an original like this one
Screenshot_2023-04-13-10-09-47-067_com.android.chrome~2.jpg
 
COYI
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I didn't realise, or had forgotten, that you have to push down the bezel and then turn it. This feature is similar to the Certina PH500 that I bought recently.

The MIL-SHIPS is a lovely watch so I'm sure whoever grabbed the cheap ones flagged up on this thread recently will be happy
 
trey4481
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COYI COYI
I didn't realise, or had forgotten, that you have to push down the bezel and then turn it. This feature is similar to the Certina PH500 that I bought recently.

The MIL-SHIPS is a lovely watch so I'm sure whoever grabbed the cheap ones flagged up on this thread recently will be happy
what size wrist are you? realllly debating getting one of these
 
rcs914
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Better start shopping 16mm strap options! Fluco has some nice ones in that size.

16mm straps on a 41mm watch? What on earth were they thinking?
 
trey4481
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the 16 mm lug distance is the only thing that has been holding me back on this watch so far
 
rendo
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rcs914 rcs914
16mm straps on a 41mm watch? What on earth were they thinking?
Sounds and looks stupid at first, but makes it original in my opinion. Makes the strap options very limited for sure.
 
rendo
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RevZMan123 RevZMan123
They just turned this version into an homage of itself by releasing a new MILSHIPS all swiss made model ... for $2k!
I wouldn’t pay that much of a premium for the LE version, but I have seen it in the $600-$700 range on eBay a couple months ago. I would have bought that one if I didn’t have the non-LE.
 
JwRosenthal
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So to wrap up a few posts in one about the Milships- the LE and standard issue came out around the same time, the LE has a Swiss movement rather than a Miyota (citizen owns Bulova so of course it would have a Miyota- they are Miyota), the LE has a taller bubble crystal (which has to be huge since the regular is already tall), lumed bezel and the diving bell on the back is more in relief than the LE which is still a relief but flatter. And the LE comes in the nifty diving bell case rather than just a plain box,
I personally couldn’t justify the premium for the LE.

In regards to the 16mm lugs- this watch is true to spec for the 1957 original design- all mil watches were 16mm (5/8ths) at the time- they absolutely nailed this feature. Everyone complains about the 16mm, but that’s because they don’t understand what this watch is- it’s an absolute gift from Citizen, honoring the only competitor against the Rayville BP for the US diver contract (Rolex didn’t make it this far- suck it Rolex). Originals of this watch are as rare as hens teeth as it never made it out of prototype.

There are options for the 16mm straps but you just can’t hit up Bulang and buy whatever you want- you need to think period. Pigskin (Fluco) vintage nylon or canvas (eBay- there are real vintage Mil straps out there if you know what to look for) vintage Forstner, vintage JBC, vintage Bonklip, vintage Tropic- what would they have put on a military pro-diver in 1957.

Once you own one of these and get it on the strap/bracelet you want- you get it, it’s awesome in every way.
 
JwRosenthal
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And for comparison:

Bulova 3818A with 16mm lugs
IMG_1305.jpeg


The Milship on period correct military canvas
IMG_4330.jpeg


The blasted finish, the drilled lugs, the 16mm strap width, the cathedral hands, the lume color, the font- they nailed this watch
 
Olhenry56
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I'll admit that I didn't really get the appeal of this watch, but I get it now that I know the history a bit. It's still not for me at the moment, but I appreciate it much more now.
 
trey4481
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T Timetosell
Thanks for the heads up, excellent condition !
iu


Lol just joshing ya
 
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